The Painter's Block
Welcome to 'The Painter's Block,' the art and outdoor blog that covers everything from art collecting to our relationship with nature. Here you'll find helpful information for artists and oil painting along with topics I love related to wildlife and the great outdoors. I share with you all the things I learn and experience through my journey as a traditional artist as well as what inspires my art. Start by selecting a category to browse through the many articles below:
One of the most common questions I get regarding acrylic paint is whether to use heavy or soft body. Now, the answer to that is mostly going to depend on what you are specifically after in your artwork, but knowing...
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Oil painting mediums can be a little overwhelming due to the sheer number of them available. What are they even? Well, they are additives that come in all types and are added to oil paint in order to change the working properties and behavior....
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Owning an original painting can be a wonderful experience, but it's important to not forget about caring for it. In this article we'll go over the basics for cleaning and conserving both acrylic and oil paintings. Tips for caring for...
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What is acrylic paint and where did it come from? In this article we're going to go over the history of acrylics and why artists use them today in their artwork. A brief history Acrylic paint is a relatively new medium...
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Whether you're just starting out with acrylic painting or are in search of some new paints to try, it can be overwhelming trying to decide between all the different types and brands that are out there. In this article, we'll...
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Simply put, time spent in the wild is time well spent. Wandering the landscape is what we were made for, and the wild always rewards this. Whether it's an attempt to discover, to gather, to heal, or to learn, one can...
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Oil ground and acrylic gesso are both used as a primer or base coat for oil painting, but you might be wondering what to use and why. In this article we'll discuss the differences between the two primers are and hopefully...
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What is the color wheel and do I need to know it in order to paint or draw well? In this article I'm going to help you understand the color wheel itself and how you could think about applying it when...
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Framing is a great way to protect and display the print. It can enhance any room and it can act as a focal piece or it can simply be a complimentary piece in your space. So needless to say, choosing the...
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One of the most overlooked aspect to owning an original piece of art might be how you light it. I see improperly lit paintings all the time, especially in homes, and I think we've probably been guilty of it. So if...
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Struggling to decide what type of art print you'd like most for your home or office? I know the feeling. Choosing a piece of art for your home is a very intimate and personal endeavor. I don't think anyone will ever...
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Painting fire is not as tricky as one might think. Whenever I approach something like a campfire or source of light, I think of it as I would any part of the painting. At the end of the day, it's...
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