tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post8932860265014473442..comments2023-07-15T06:25:47.039-04:00Comments on Brian MacNeil: The Oil Painter's Palette UpdatedBrian David MacNeilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094698808791010801noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post-24021554701090341912011-04-27T00:56:03.529-04:002011-04-27T00:56:03.529-04:00You know, I do love the feeling of wood palettes e...You know, I do love the feeling of wood palettes especially when the have been sealed well with linseed oil. For a while I tried to think like a throw back purest and repeat what I thought the masters would have done. Now a days I am just trying to work in the methods that seem most intuitive to me in the present moment. I still tinker around a bunch like a gear head with their hot rod. But in reality the car never leaves the garage. So even though I love how interesting materials are I try not to let them get in the way of how the finished painting turns out. <br />ANyways man, I liked your blog. The self Portrait is coming out well. The form is very strong.Brian David MacNeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03094698808791010801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post-36897442687504044992011-04-27T00:07:24.194-04:002011-04-27T00:07:24.194-04:00I was kidding, of course.
When I set my palette d...I was kidding, of course. <br />When I set my palette down I have a hard time seeing it. This is, no doubt, the fault of my inadequate lighting. <br /><br />Practically speaking, I could see myself using a glass table-top palette - especially if I painted while seated; less fatigue on the arm and a better surface for mixing paint. But at the same time It kind of just feels good using a wooden palette, knowing that's how it's been done for centuries. Do you ever get that feeling?Thomas K. Conwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264468612295548914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post-28322994542478224622011-04-26T06:13:52.082-04:002011-04-26T06:13:52.082-04:00Brian I have to disagree with you here. It's n...Brian I have to disagree with you here. It's not a matter of comfort. The secret is discomfort. Like those fancy shoes women sometimes wear: they hurt. <br /><br />My wooden palette, a handfull of brushes, a rag and the mahl stick... I depend on the pain in my hand to keep me focused! I can't paint very well if I'm comfortable and daydreaming. <br /><br />But really, you're absolutely right about the order of colors. Whatever that order is, it needs to be regular. I cringe when I see students laying out their colors willy-nilly. I use the old typing analogy: you couldn't accomplish anything on a typewriter if the keys were laid out differently every time.Thomas K. Conwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264468612295548914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post-1156053725923809012011-04-26T01:53:22.328-04:002011-04-26T01:53:22.328-04:00Hey Thomas! Thanks for following this blog. I stil...Hey Thomas! Thanks for following this blog. I still use all of my palettes but for different reasons. My hand held I'll use while painting the figure or portraits in a class room setting where there is limited space. When I'm in my own studio I like to paint with a bunch of brushed and a maul stick in one hand so I like to limit the load. Also because I mostly work sights-size with still life I place the palette where I view my work. This forces my to spend time mixing more accurate colors and looking for any drawing mistakes. I feel what is more important is to have the pigments in the same order on what ever surface you mix on. Other than that I think It's just a matter of comfort so what ever works do that.Brian David MacNeilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03094698808791010801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2984300789019122280.post-1412909233602355592011-04-26T00:39:29.692-04:002011-04-26T00:39:29.692-04:00You've got a nice, informative blog here. Keep...You've got a nice, informative blog here. Keep it up. <br /><br />Question- You didn't mention the change from wooden to glass (or handheld to tabletop). Are you not using the wooden palette anymore? I can't stand NOT holding my palette... I'd be interested to hear your thoughts to the contrary.Thomas K. Conwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264468612295548914noreply@blogger.com