A portrait of things to come

My Fine Art:

Come see me today on the boardwalk

"Afternoon Nap," 8x20, Oil on Linen, $900 Artists' Choice Award "Paint Annapolis 2012

Get the first look at my new plein air paintings from this Summer:

"Artists on the Boardwalk," Aug. 24, 2012, 4-8pm, Junction City Shopping Center, Peoria, IL
Junction City and Exhibit A Gallery present the season's last: ARTISTS ON THE BOARDWALK. Come experience local artists showing their works along the boardwalk of Junction City Shopping Center. View amazing classic cars from Central Illinois Cruisers. Enjoy great dining from our eclectic restaurants, browse the stylish decor from our unique shops, and indulge yourself in top fashions from our boutique clothing stores. www.exhibitagallery.net

News:

Honors - I was awarded "Artists' Choice Award" at Paint Annopolis 2012 and "First Place" at Wayne Plein Air 2012. It is always a pleasure to have my work validated on this level and I am grateful to have the best job in the world.

My Upcoming Art Events Schedule:

"Plein Air Vermont," Sept. 4-9, 2012, North Bennington, VT
The competition will take place in North Bennington, a scenic village in Southwestern Vermont and an ideal location for artists, hosts its first “plein air” competition from Wednesday, September 4 through Sunday, September 9, 2012. This, the event's first year, will be judged by Plein Air Magazine Editor Stephen Doherty. See the website for details on how you can enjoy the festival. www.pleinair-vermont.com

"Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair," Sept. 29-30, 2012, Peoria, IL
Every year, the last full weekend in September, the Peoria Riverfront becomes a live and in-person art gallery where you can SEE & BUY original artwork and meet the artist. It features 150 artists from 26 states and Canada, live music from local musicians, and a Kids Art Festival that is a destination of its own. 10-5pm. www.peoriafineartfair.com. As soon as I know by booth location I will post it on my website www.traceyfrugoli.com

"Sonoma Plein Air," Oct. 1-6, 2012, Sonoma, CA
This juried event brings nationally recognized plein air artists to Sonoma for a week of painting the inspiring landscapes of Sonoma Valley. Whether it is the magnificent green hills with giant oaks, grazing sheep and cows, winding roads, picturesque villages, or the colors and scents of wildflowers---Sonoma Valley is paradise for plein air artists. See website for info and events www.somomapleinair.com

"Sedona Plein Air," October 20-27, Sedona, AZ
There is no setting more perfect than Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon in late October to find vibrant, unexpected scenic beauty. It is truly an artist's paradise. Thirty award-winning artists, selected from among the best of the best, have accepted invitations to participate in this unique artistic showcase. They are coming from all over the United States to spend eight days painting en plein air, and to share their incredible talent and unique experiences with this challenging art form. www.sedonapleinairfestival.com

My painting website: www.traceyfrugoli.com

 

My Photography:

I photographed this beautiful little girl at the Portrait Picture Taking Marathon
during the "CIAO First Friday Studio Tour."

Missed the Portrait Picture Taking Marathon at my studio this month? I am booking portrait session now.

Imagine what we can do together!

It's a fun, creative experience with a lasting end result. Just like plein air painting, my photography captures a moment in time including all the emotion and connection I can infuse into each pixel. I exclusively photograph portraits - kids, adults, friends, couples, bellies, families, pets... I love people and I love how my lens lets me connect with another human being on a meaningful and artistic level. I see beauty in every face and in every personality. I manifest that beauty, both inner and outer, in my final images. We can even bring out that beauty with artful hair, make-up, wardrobe, and posing. From conception, to capture, to finish, I see everything with my painter's eye.

See my photography at painterseyephotography.com and call or email me about a portrait photo session at (309) 698-9336, tracey@traceyfrugoli.com. As you can see by my schedule, I am uber busy, and I want to fit you in, so do it, call me!



From an Artful Belly session.


Check out my FACEBOOK page Tracey Frugoli Photography - I update it a lot. It would be great if you would "like" my page, too. You know, word of mouse is powerful!

Tracey Frugoli Studio (309) 698-9336

Portrait Picture Taking Marathon this Friday Night

Tracey Frugoli Fine Art



Did you know that, in addition to painting, Murray Center Artist Tracey Frugoli also does portrait photography? She brings her painter's eye to every shot. It's all part of the artistic process for her, but don't worry, she won't quit painting. Since her studio mate, Ken Teissen and guest artist, Bethany Dornberger, cannot make it this week, she came up with this crazy idea for this Friday's

"First Friday"

A portrait taking marathon.

Here is the deal:

Come to her studio at this First Friday Aug. 3 5-9pm and she will take your picture.
100 Walnut St., Suite 312, Peoria, IL


No session fee! It will most likely be a head shot, but we will see how it goes. She is pretty flexible. Drag your spouse, friends or children in and she will take their portrait too. No appointment, just show up and cue up. It'll be a fun improvisation.

Here is what you get:

A FREE 5x7 - all with the option to buy more if you like.

And that's just for coming into her studio and checking her out!




Check out her photography at www.painterseyephotography.com

and like her photography facebook page for current updates


You can still see her fine art oil paintings at www.traceyfrugoli.com

View her blog at traceyfrugoli.blogspot.com

CIAO First Fridays, Time Lapse of Painting, Plein Air Events, and Judging Hoosier Salon

 Start Your Month with Art!  

  

Come to our Studio for First Friday Open Studio Tour at the Murray Center, April 6, 5-9pm:
 

 Building on the momentum created in our first year, CIAO kicks off the new season with a bang!

First Fridays officially bloom on April 6th. For those of you new to First Fridays — welcome. First Fridays are from 5-9pm, the first Friday of every month from April through November. Join us for an intimate look at studios, galleries and arts organizations. Meet artists, musicians, neighbors and collectors. Painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, glass, woodworking, and more will be on display. Come, enjoy the unique efforts of Central Illinois artists in their studios, support the artists in our area and come see what’s new..

For a map of all CIAO locations: click here. The Frugoli/Tiessen studios are located in the Murray Center for the Arts at 100 Walnut St., Suite 312, Peoria, IL.

Just a tidbit of info: the new CIAO website will go live around tax day and be UBER interactive and informative. You will be able to get access to detailed info on all the CIAO happenings around town.

Upcoming Events:


"Juliet," 16x12", $1250.00available at Greenhouse Gallery

"Salon International," April 1 4 -May 4 2012. Again this year, one of my paintings ("Juliet") was accepted to Salon International at Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, TX. This wonderful event is sponsored by the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Art. The International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art is a support system for traditional representational artists. It CHALLENGES artists to always strive for a higher level of artistic excellence and is totally dedicated to the recognition, encouragement and support of contemporary, currently active, artists of traditional representational art worldwide. The word “contemporary” in the museum’s name is to be read “of our times” and refers to currently living and active artists. See the time lapse shot by videographer, Raphael Rudolfi of me painting this work at Videogenique.com.

"Everyday Moments - a Genre Show,"April 22-May 13, 2012
Annapolis, MD
Every Day Life...Every Day Moments...I will be included in this group show featuring genre paintings that are a snapshot of our story, every day moments, about life today, about our varying cultures, family life, work life and even playtimes. While these human stories often include a figure in the scene, some scenes can so powerfully express special experiences we have all seen, we place ourselves at the scene. www.mcbridegallery.com




Little Fairy, 8x6", $395.00 available at McBride Gallery

"Spring Bloom Fine Art Fair," April 28, 2012, 10-5pm, Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL. Join 100 juried fine art and fine craft artists for the annual indoor Spring Bloom art festival sponsored by the McLean County Arts Center, one of the oldest community art centers in the Midwest. It is a chance to see what I have been working on all Winter and get first dibs. The Interstate Center is located at 2301 W Market St, Bloomington, IL www.mcac.org. This will be my only Bloomington area art fair, so I would love to see you!

"Florida's Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational," May 3-13, 2012
Various locations in and around Apalachicola, FL
More than 20 nationally acclaimed artists will gather on Florida's Forgotten Coast in early May to participate in the 7th annual Florida's Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitational, America's Great Paint-Out, May 3-13, 2012. Painters will set up their easels and pull out their brushes to document the landscape and culture of this last vestige of authentic "Old Florida" – the coastal stretch of scenic North Florida between Mexico Beach and Alligator Point. See their website for all the events including, demonstrations, talks, workshops and the gala. Paintings will be for sale in the "Wet Room" all week--fresh off the easel to your wall. They update the website every day with the new paintings so check often and claim your favorites before someone else get them! www.pleinairfl.com



A little 6x8" sunset piece I did at Florida's Forgotten Coast 2012, sold

"Wayne Plein Air," May 15-20, 2012
Wayne, PA
This will be my first year at Wayne Plein Air which is a suburb of Philidelphia. Artists will paint anywhere within a specified radius of the Wayne Art Center. On May 19, the public will have a chance to observe plein air artists painting in downtown Wayne. The Wayne area is known for scenic beauty and historical landmarks. Painting locations will include pastoral vistas, gardens, historic and unique architectural structures, charming towns, neighborhoods and downtown Philadelphia. The sale and exhibition of paintings completed during the festival will be featured at a Gala Preview and Artists' Reception on Saturday, May 19 from 6–10 pm. The show will open to the public on Sunday, May 20 and continue through June 23, 2012. www.waynepleinair.com


Upcoming Weekend Workshops:

"Infusing your Paintings with Light and Color"
Saturday, April 21st & Sunday, April 22nd, 9am-4pm, $195
Northshore Art League
620 Lincoln Avenue Winnetka, IL 60093 | 847.446.2870

 Want to make visually engaging paintings that fairly sing with color and light? A careful study of value and color mixing will get you well on your way. Through targeted exercises, instructor demo, and hands on painting, you will gain more mastery over the art and science of crafting representational paintings with impact. All skill levels welcome. A supply list will be provided upon registration. Pleae contact the North Shore Art League to sign up.

"Painting the 'Light Story'"
Saturday & Sunday, May 12&13, 9am-4pm, $200
Florida's Forgotten Coast Plein Air Invitatinal, Port St. Joe, FL

Without light, there is no story. Learn to capture the essence of light and shadow in your paintings in this two day plein air workshop. Through instructor demos, structured exercises and hands on painting, you will hone your ability to see, understand, and translate shadow patterns in your work. All skill levels welcome. The instructor will be working in oil and it is recommended, but you may work in whatever medium you choose. Supply list available. Click here to sign up.

News:
Honors - For the second year, I will serve as a judge for the upcoming 87th Hoosier Salon. If you know me and my work, you know I LOVE historical paintings and painters so I am so excited to be part of this legacy that continues with todays artists. The Hoosier Salon began in 1925 when the Daughters of Indiana opened the doors to the first exhibition at Marshall Fields and Company Galleries in Chicago. The high quality of art was applauded by critics and the public alike, the first exhibition included works by such notables as T.C. Steele, J. Ottis Adams and Will Vawter, and was an unqualified success. In 1940 the annual exhibit moved from Chicago to downtown Indianapolis. The Annual Exhibition will be shown in a new location at the Indiana History Center. The Hoosier Salon galleries in Broad Ripple, New Harmony and Wabash, also host over thirty special shows each year.

TRACEY FRUGOLI - Available Works:
Click the following link to view TRACEY's portfolio of available works: http://traceyfrugoli.com/works 

What 's on my Palette Tonight?

I just felt like sharing what was on my palette a few nights ago. I am working on a figurative commission (can't post it sorry). I use many more pigments than those that just happen to be on my palette that night though for different reasons. Sometimes it is because of the qualities of the pigment and sometimes it is just what I have. I am kind of an equal opportunity painter when it comes to pigments, but it is important to know the qualities of the paints you use before going off willy nilly and putting a lot of unfamiliar paints on your palette. Go to www.gamblincolors.com and watch the video on color space for a great start on understanding your paints. One thing I will say about the video though is that I do not use black to darken a color. It changes the hue and chroma. There are better ways of doing this. Although black can be very effective, you must understand it is someone like a low chroma blue and will act as such. I often have guest colors that I try out. I tend towards paint from M Graham and Gamblin with some other brands mixed in. I like buttery paint. See my other post on my usual palette. I don't use any student grade paint. They contain fillers and sometimes substandard pigments. That is false economy and a waste of time and money. Get good quality paint. M Graham and Gamblin both are made in the US and pack the most pigment to oil ratio possible. M Graham being more buttery because of the use of highly refined walnut oil instead of linseed oil. I like both of these manufacturers and will choose one over the other sometimes only because of a sale . Other times I might like the different qualities for different purposes. Take my color mixing class in January 2012 at my studio and we will go over all this stuff. You will learn a ton! I am also doing a follow up class, as well, in April 2012. "Infuse Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color" at the Northshore Art League  (find the post about it here).

From top left  M Graham Anthraquinone Red (a transparent, clean mixing, high chroma rose red that I use as a substitute for Alizarin Permanent), M Graham ultramarine blue (the gold standard in blues-a flexible, warm, transparent blue that tends towards the red side), Gamblin Cerulean Blue Hue (a blue that tends towards the yellow side, great for skies), Rembrandt Viridian (a cool green that is sometimes good for the areas around the eye-places where the skin is thin. I also use it for landscapes and Rembrandt's is buttery and clean mixing). Rembrandt Sap Green (Sap varies from manufacturer to manufacturer because it is a mix of pigments-I like Rembrandt's the best), M Graham Azo Green (a great warm transparent green I like for portraits and my koi/pond pieces).

Moving in a "U" to the bottom right we have M Graham Titanium White (the most buttery around, sometimes that is good like in the studio, but outside in the heat it can kind of wilt a little. I still use it for plein air though because less resistance equals faster mixing), M Graham Cadmium Yellow Light (an opaque yellow that tends toward the green or cool side. I like M Graham's cads because the walnut oil allows a wonderful brilliance, but I am known to use Gamblin's too), M Graham Indian Yellow (a transparent orange yellow that is great for neutralizing the purple in a Ultramarine/Alizarin mix without changing the value too much so you end up with a dark transparent brown or close to black), Gamblin Gold Ochre (I heart Gold Ochre, a version of yellow ochre with a tranparent modern in the mix so it has more tinting strength, chroma, and transparency), M Graham Cadmium Red (a nice warm, opaque, basic red); Vasari Ruby Violet (this is a handmade paint and is super pricey. I have it because it was given to me at a plein air show, I do really like this violet but not everyone of my friends feels the same, it is somewhat less intense than M Graham's Quinacridone Violet. M Graham's is a transparent high chroma violet that I like for bringing up the intensity of grey reds and violets and also just for intense reds/violets in flowers and such).

The brushes you see in the middle there are Princeton Art & Brush Company #6300 Filberts. They are synthetic bristle brushes (replica of hog hair). They have great spring so they show the paint who is boss. I can get a lot of different brush effects with this brush and will often do most of a painting with just one brush. They come to a fine chiseled point at least until they get used a lot. Like any brush, they wear out. It is just the cost of doing business. I sometimes like the way a well used brush gets splayed out and can give me a hairy brush stroke. But after awhile there is a diminishing return and you just have to replace it.

The pinkish brush in the foreground is a well used brush close to retirement and the white one behind is the same type of brush new. They are the 6300 series filberts. I am pretty sure those are size 8. Every manufacturer has their own size format. There is no industry standard, so look to the millimeter for the size.

I only use synthetics because I don't think animals should have to die for my art. They don't just shave the animal. They need the hair to be as long as possible. There are great synthetic brushes that leave me no need for dead animal cooties.

The smaller brush to the left, in the original picture of my palette, is a size 00 round from Winsor and Newton's Monarch line. I like this medium soft brush for detail work at the end of a painting. Again it is a synthetic-this time to replicate Mongoose hair. Mongoose are actually endangered and internationally protected. You would be surprised what people are willing to do to creatures. Here is a video about the problem in India. Although the audio doesn't seem to work, the pictures show you how they net, bludgeon, and pull out the hair. Although this is illegal now in India, they have made raids and confiscated bags and bags of the stuff. Now, I am not saying I know for a fact, but the popular Langnickel Royal Sable brushes sure look like Mongoose to me. Regardless of whether the Langnickel's are Mongoose, you can bet whatever animal is used, it is subject to a similar fate. I am just not into that kind of bad mojo for my work. I stopped using them years ago when I figured this out. I did a vast internet search and found very little about the use of natural hair in brushes. But now there seems to be a growing concern among artists. See this thread on wet canvas just as an example. Luckily you don't have to be limited to natural hair brushes! Don't be fooled by people who say such in such is the "best" brush for a certain effect. With a little experimentation, I have been able to completely remove natural hair brushes from my painting process.

I will do a post in the future that is more in depth on the synthetics available.

The palette I have is called  Palm Palette Outie. It is specifically made for use with the Soltek Easel, I decided I liked it so much I use it in the studio. It has a piano hinge design so it folds up and has a cover. Although it it not air tight, if I put a plastic bad around it, it keeps the paint wet a bit longer than if left open. I just got this and used it for Sedona Plein Air. See it in action in my post for The Plein Air Scene blog during Sedona Plein Air, 2011.

Thanks for reading! Hope this was informative, Tracey

Recent Press and "Skirting Convention" Audios

From Art & Society Magazine Recent Press and "Skirting Convention" Audios: See the latest article on me in Art & Society Magazine at http://www.peoriamagazines.com/as/2012/jan-feb/tracey-frugoli-s-paintings-beauty It was written by the talented Channy Lyons who also curated "Skirting Convention: Illinois Women from 1840-1940" at the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences which runs from October 1, 2011- Jan 16, 2012. It is a FABULOUS exhibit with some beautiful paintings and sculptures. I consider these women part of my artistic heritage--or maybe me of theirs. However it is, I was honored to be asked to produce audio about five of the paintings and the life of a woman artist then and now. Although I encourage you to actually see this exhibit, you can see images of the paintings and listen to my audios at: http://iwa.bradley.edu/lakeview/dohn1 http://iwa.bradley.edu/lakeview/dohn2 http://iwa.bradley.edu/lakeview/hartrath http://iwa.bradley.edu/lakeview/stacey http://iwa.bradley.edu/lakeview/Baker About the exhibit Channy says: "These women overcame unique challenges and learned to make art...They made opportunities for themselves. I love these women artists because they had the courage, the tenacity, and the smarts to keep going. We can learn from them." Yep! I mean, can you imagine life drawing class in a corset? Or worse, told you couldn't attend it because you couldn't handle the nudity? Just a few of the many hurdles for women of the day. Upcoming Classes and Workshops "Oil Painting-Just do it" $95.00 Workshop Dates: 1/16/2012 - 3/12/2012 Location: Frugoli Tiessen Studio, Peoria, IL 100 Walnut Peoria IllinoisMidwest 61611 United States Mondays,  6-8:30pm, No class on March 5 $95.00, sign up for this class and one of the workshops (2 Saturdays) for just $150.00 (save $45.00) or this class and two workshops (4 Saturdays) for $185.00 (save $65.00). (This bundled saving is only for classes and workshops held at my studio) Classes meet at the Frugoli/Tiessen Studio, 100 Walnut St., Peoria, IL Propel your oil painting skills through instruction and practice. This class will be a take off on my Monday night still life class, but will also include working from photographs of other subjects. Many of my students tell me they love to paint and learn a lot in my workshops, but find it hard to carve out time to paint at home. Well, this class will give you the excuse to devote time to develop your art! Plus, I will be devoting time to instruct you on the formal elements of painting. All skill levels welcome. You can sign up by contacting me or do it online! Contact me to sign up. "Intro to Color Mixing in Oil" $75.00 Workshop Dates: 1/21/2012 - 1/28/2012 Location: Frugoli Studio, Peoria, IL 100 Walnut Peoria Illinois  United States Two Saturdays, 9-3:30pm Save when you bundle with other classes at my studio. Sign up for the Monday night "Just Do It" class and one of the workshops (2 Saturdays) for just $150.00 (save $45.00) or "Just Do It" and two workshops (4 Saturdays) for $185.00 (save $65.00). Speed up your color mixing and deepen your understanding of pigments and what they can do for you in this two day workshop. Nothing drives the emotional impact of a painting more than color, yet so few workshops focus solely on color mixing. Through hands on exercises, lecture, and instructor demo you will gain more confidence and depth in your color mixing using YOUR palette. You won't need to buy the colors I use unless you want to. If weather permits, we will paint outside in the beautiful courtyard on day two. All skill levels welcome. Supply list available. Please contact me to sign up. I have not taught this workshop in Peoria for a few years. I don't usually repeat it that often, so I would advise you to take advantage of it now.    "Finish it!" $75.00 Workshop Dates: 2/18/2012 - 2/25/2012 Location: Frugoli Studio, Peoria, IL 100 Walnut Peoria Illinois  United States Two Saturdays, 9-3:30pm Do you have a number of unfinished paintings? Well now is your chance to complete them with my guidance.  Many of my students say they get to a point in a painting that stall the process and they don’t know where to go with it. This is a part of the painting process and I will show you how to analyze what is working in a painting and where you might improve it to take it to the finish line.  Supply list available.  Min.5. This class and workshop takes place at my downtown Peoria, IL studio in the Murray Center for the Arts, 100 Walnut St. between Washington and Water streets. "Creating Intimacy in Oil" $575.00 Workshop Dates: 3/5/2012 - 3/9/2012 Location: Sedona Arts Center, Sedona, AZ United States Five Day Intensive Regardless of subject matter, a visually engaging painting seduces the viewer into its world. Once there, an intimate work keeps the viewer entranced through its vulnerability to relationship & its authenticity to the voice of the artist. Learn how to use all the tools at your disposal such as color, light, composition, edges, as well as your artistic vision to create a sense of intimacy and authenticity in your work.  I will demo each morning with a different subject including landscape, still life, and portrait from life as well as photographs. Students will work on their own pieces in the afternoon with the subject matter of their choice. All skill levels welcome. Contact the Sedona Arts Center to Sign up.  http://www.sedonaartscenter.com/ Contact Information: Vince Fazio vfazio@sedonaartscenter.com (888) 954-4442 "Infusing Your Paintings with Light and Color" $195.00 Workshop Dates: 4/21/12 and 4/22/12, 9-4pm each day Location: Northshore Art League, Winnetka IL 60093 Two Day Intensive Want to make visually engaging paintings that fairly sing with color and light? A careful study of value and color mixing will get you well on your way. Through targeted exercises, instructor demo, and hands on painting, you will gain more mastery over the art and science of crafting representational paintings with impact. All skill levels welcome. This class will be a continuation of what we go over in Intro to Color Mixing but that class is not a prerequisite. Contact the Art League to sign up. www.northshoreartleague.org Contact information: artsed@sbcglobal.net (847) 446-2870

TRACEY FRUGOLI - Available Works: Click the following link to view TRACEY's portfolio of available works: http://traceyfrugoli.com/works

July is HOT!

Sugar Creek and Plein Air Easton this month! Painting at Plein Air Easton's Winner's Brunch in 2007 This Painting won the Museum Purchase Award from the Academy Art Museum Events: "Sugar Creek Fine Art Festival" July 9 + 10, 2011  Join us for this long running fine art fair in Normal, IL. I actually did this show in college in the 80's so that tells you it has been around a long time! I will be in booth B65 near the corner of Beaufort and Linden. Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11 am to 4pm. www.mcac.org "Plein Air Easton" July 14-24, 2011 I am again juried into the top plein air festival in the country! This is a huge event with demos, talks, exhibits and events all week. Plus, this year there are pre event paint outs in which I will be participating starting July 14th. Don't miss my demo at East End Gallery on Aurora in Easton on Sat. July 23 from 5:30-7:30 "From Plein Air to Studio: Capturing the Light." The gallery also has my work on exhibit in a three person show "From West Coast to East Coast" during the months of July and Aug. www.pleinaireaston.com

News: Hoosier Salon Judge - Last month I served as a jury of submission and judge of awards for this year's Hoosier Salon in Indianapolis along with my colleagues Chuck Marshall and Lori Putnam. It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this event and organization that is over 80 years old. The varied and numerous works submitted are a testament to the power of the art spirit! July's First Friday Open Studio Tour a Success -  Many of you know that I am a founding member and secretary for the Central Illinois Artists Organization (CIAO) to start a first Friday open studio event. Well, we have gotten a lot of press, elected officers, had new signage printed, and had a great turn out last week! We so appreciate the support of the community and the feedback you have given us to make this event as successful as possible. It will just keep getting better! The first Friday of every month from April to Nov. 5-9pm. www.ciaopeoria.com Honors - I was honored to win an "Jury's Top 50" at Greenhouse Gallery's "Salon International" this year for my painting "Girl meets Paint".

Tracey Frugoli - Available Works: Click the following link to view Tracey's portfolio of available works: http://traceyfrugoli.com/works

Choosing Artist Oil Colors & My Palette

High quality professional grade oil colors are composed of a mix of pigment and a "drying oil." The drying oil is typically linseed oil. But since linseed oil yellows over time, you will also see the use of safflower oil (especially in whites) and walnut oil. Pigments are basically ground up particles that are suspended in oil. They can be ground up earth or rocks such as ochres and iron oxides, burnt things such as wood or bone (often used for blacks), metals such as cadmiums and colbalts, and carbon based pigments such as Napthol and Quinacridone. For an analysis of pigments see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigment.

From Robert Gamblin's Navigating Color Space


The pigments available over the centuries, including today, can be understood from a painter's perspective using Robert Gamblin's Navigating Color Space video. I highly recommend watching this free video several times. In my color mixing class ,we look at the colors on your palette and analyze the pigments used in terms of hue, temperature, chroma, and opacity. This gives us an understanding as to where the paint belongs in color space and how a paint color will behave in a mix.

 

Photo of Oil Colors From M Graham's website

 

I paint with traditional oils (see below for a list of manufacturers and colors) and use M. Graham Walnut Oil Medium to clean my brushes. The benefit is that you are using buttery traditional oils that are saturated with pigment and can use the walnut oil medium to thin the paints as well as to clean my brushes. It is solvent free painting without resorting to the highly inferior water mixable paints. M Graham oil colors and mediums are available from Dick Blick, Genesis Art Supplies, and other sources. M Graham uses walnut oil instead of linseed oil in its colors. The result is a very buttery paint that dries slightly slower (less waste on your palette from paint drying too fast) that has a beautiful clarity. Both M Graham and Gamblin are domestic manufacturers that produce their paints in small batches and pack the highest pigment load possible in to every tube.

 My palette with a dark mix of transparent colors in the mixing area that I use for the initial drawing stage. You can also see, to the left and below the paint piles, a mix of grey green from palette scrapings the previous day.

 

I generally use a warm and cool of each color and occasionally have "guest colors." I use black sparingly and do not recommend it for beginners. There are GREAT painters who use black; you just have to know how to use it. It should be understood as a blue, and can be used as a replacement for blue in a limited palette. Black will necessarily reduce intensity (or grey) in a mix because it is usually made of burnt things. I can mix a very dark higher chroma color that looks black but is not as dull. For some things however, I just need a true black. When I choose a black, I avoid bone black because this is burnt animal bones. Since I am a vegetarian, it doesn't make sense for me. I will usually get lamp black.

 

In the past, I often chose the nontoxic alternatives to the heavy metals such as cadmiums and cobalts as much as possible. However, Gamblin Artist Oils notes that they use cadmiums that have a very low bio available content, so I have been using those when I need cadmiums (see www.gamblincolors.com). The cadmium is compounded with another element so that it is only minimally available to be absorbed into your body. Better for wildlife too if it gets into the water system. Cadmiums tend to be more opaque than their modern alternatives while the modern pigments tend to be more transparent, higher in chroma (or pop) and tinting strength (remain intense when mixed with white).

My palette of colors changes based on the needs of the particular painting, but generally includes the following. I have noted the order numbers for dickblick.com for my student's convenience but double check them as they might have changed.

 

Colors in 37ml tubes that I use in the Gamblin Artists Oil line:

• Hansa Yellow Medium (dickblick #00401-4713). (alternate is M.Graham’s Azo Yellow dickblick.com # 01573-4453 or Gamblin’s Cadmium Yellow Light dickblick #00401-4073)
• Mono Orange (dickblick #00401-4933 ). (alternate is M Graham Indian Yellow dickblick.com # 01573-4163 or Cadmium Yellow Deep)
• Golden Ochre (dickblick.com # 00401-9033). (alternate is M Graham Yellow Ochre dickblick.com # 01573-4043).
• Cadmium Red Light (dickblick #004013093) (alternative is M Graham Naphthol Red dickblick.com # 01573-3603).

 Colors in 37ml tubes that I use in the M Graham line:

• Anthraquinone Red (dickblick.com # 01573-4913) (Alternative is Alizarin Crimson Permanent. Gamblin’s is dickblick #00401-3063)
•  Ultramarine Blue (dickblick.com # 01573-5233)
•  Manganese Blue Hue (dickblick.com # 01573-5813) (alternative is Cerulean Blue, Gamblin’s is dickblick #00401-5163)
• Azo Green (dickblick.com # 01573-7453) Love, Love, Love this one.
•  Transparent Red Iron Oxide (dickblick.com # 01573-3763)
•  Titanium White (dickblick.com # 01573-1023)

 Some optional colors that I find useful in the M Graham line:

• Quinacridone Violet (dickblick.com # 01573-6513)
• Quinacridone Red (dickblick.com # 01573-3273) and or Rose (dickblick.com # 01573-3793)

Colors that I use from the traditional Rembrandt Oil Color line are:

•  Sap Green (dickblick #00417-7093)
• Viridian Green (dickblick #00417-7103)

I will be continuing to post my materials periodically. For those of you who have taken my classes, I will be adding new and updated information as I post--so stay tuned. Please feel free to post comments or questions. Look for my classes at http://traceyfrugoli.com/workshops. See my artwork at http://traceyfrugoli.com/works.

Thanks for reading!

Tracey