Dragonfly Series

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

I am doing a series of pointillism (Daubism) paintings on dragonflies- the subject below is Libellula pulchella, commonly known as the Twelve Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly. It is found all throughout the continental United States as well as southern Canada. As a chiId, I had a specimen of this dragonfly in my insect collection- I was always facinated by its strikingly bold wing markings. If you look closely, you will find 4 Libellula pulchellas in this painting.

"Dragonfly Symphony" Oil on Canvas 30"x 40" copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

The 12 Spotted Skimmer has fragile wings and a strong body. It is found in ponds and other wet areas, eating small flying insects - such as those nasty mosquitoes! Click here to learn more about this dragonfly.

What's in the Paint?

by Dena Tollefson

Question- Why is the oil paint on your canvas so thick - almost like peanut butter? How long will one of your paintings last?

Cymbidium Orchid III 30"x24" Oil on Canvas 2004 Copyright Dena Tollefson

Private Collection

Answer- The paint is thick because I use artist's grade artist's paint. By using the best materials available, my paintings will last for generations.

Paints come in different types- here are some examples

• Artist's Grade (also known as Professional Grade) Artist's Paint
• Student's Grade Artist's Paint
• House Paint

Artist's oil paint is much different than house paint.  

Artist's Grade (also known as Professional Grade) paint consists of a vehicle/binder (usually linseed oil) + pigment (very concentrated ground up color). This concentration of linseed oil plus pigment is very thick and viscous. Since the mixture is only oil + pigment only with no fillers, etc, the mixture comes out of the tube like tootpaste or peanut butter. It is very long lasting and enables the artist to create work which will last centuries. This same mixture of oil + pigment has been used by artists through the centuries and has stood the test of time.

Student grade paint is similar in composition to Artist's grade(vehicle/binder + pigment), but it has a lower concentration of pigment, therefore may not provide the color intensity and tinting strength that artist's grade paint does. I use only Artist's Grade paint as it helps me get the color strength I need.

Interior house paint consists of a vehicle/binder +filler + pigment + water. Adding the filler and water dilutes the tinting strength of the paint and affects its long term permanence. When you paint a wall in your house, you will expect the color to fade over the years. Paintings made with Artist's Paint do not experience this type of fading

House paint is an option for some painters- in fact the late painter Jackson Pollock used standard enamel house paint and sometimes car paint for his famous "Drip" paintings. The concern with using this paint is that it is not intended to last for hundreds (or even thousands of years) as artist's paint is. Conservation is being done to protect many Jackson Pollock paintings so they do not deteriorate before their time.

Waiting For Paint to Dry

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

Wow! How long does that painting take to dry?

I get that a lot.

"Pond XII" 40"x30" Original Oil on Canvas copyright Dena Tollefson 2009

Private Collection

Oil paintings can take years, even decades to dry completely!

According to the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, the chemical and physical changes which occur during an oil painting drying process continue years past the point when the painting is dry to the touch. Click on their link above to learn more.

Oil paintings take a long time to dry, especially those with a very thick application of paint, such as my Daubism (Pointillism) work shown above. The largest marks are made with a silver vegetable serving spoon (spoon reserved for this purpose). Oil paint is buttered on the back of the spoon for one stoke of paint, then the spoon is wiped to receive another buttering.  This is done to keep the colors from smearing into each other and to keep each stroke of paint smooth and crisp. All other marks are made with palette knives: sizes ranging from very large to very small.

Here are 4 types of drying times I consider for my paintings- each artist has their own timetables based on what type of paint they use, any additives such as stand oil or additional linseed oil, poppy oil. etc:

1. Drying time between adjacent strokes of paint so daubs don't smear: 4 days-8 days 
2. Drying time where surface of painting is dry to touch: 2 weeks- 5 weeks
3. Drying time between painting completion and framing: 4-16 weeks
4. Drying time point where painting is solidly dry down to core- 1-10 years or more!

So the saying, "It's like waiting for paint to dry" is really true.

Dean Aldrich: Showcasing Pointillism

by Dena Tollefson

The unique version of Pointillism I developed called Daubism is written up here by Dean Aldrich, whose blog named Tackad showcases abstract paintings with writing or dots. Calligraphy, postmodern pointillism, marks, gestures & scribbles, text and language based works. Check it out!

Adjacent Complementary Colors: Making Paintings Sparkle

by Dena Tollefson

Question: Why do some paintings appear to sparkle?

Choice A: Artist has snuck glitter into the paint hoping you won't notice
Choice B: Artist has applied the theory of adjacent complementary colors
Choice C: Artist has modified your eyes as you sleep in a bizarre attempt to change your vision

Answer: If you chose "B", congratulations, you are right!

You've probably seen this phenomenon in action in a science or psychology textbook- stare at a yellow object and you will see a purple afterimage. Stare at a blue object and you will see an orange afterimage. Stare at a red object, a green afterimage appears.  Click here to try it and learn about  rods, cones, photoreceptors, and the psychology of how our eyes handle adjacent complementary colors

It's science!

Artists understand this optical principle and will employ the scientific principles of how the human eye works to their advantage to create a sense of excitement in their artwork. When 2 color complements are placed adjacently, they create an optical pop or sparkle. Paintings which incorporate adjacent complementary color theory will excite the human eye.

"Sunflower VI" 36"x48" Oil on Cotton Canvas copyright 2009 Dena Tollefson

I oftentimes use this technique of strategically placing adjacent color complements in my work. For example, in the painting "Sunflower VI" above, I lay strokes of orange & blue and strokes of yellow & purple directly next to one another throughout the whole painting to
1. Add sparkle to the painting and
2. To draw the viewer's eye across the top of the painting and to the curving focal point where the dark seedhead meets the swirling petals.

Next time you view a painting which seems to sparkle at you, check to see if the artist has employed the technique of strategically placing adjacent complementary colors!

Nikki Janda Named that Painting

By Dena Tollefson

We have a winner! Nikki Janda's title "Soleil du Soir" (French for "Evening Sun") is the winning title idea to name the painting below. There were 19 title entries from 13 people between the blog, FB, and emails. Thank you to everyone for the great ideas and inputs!!! Very creative and well thought out ideas. Have a fantastic evening

Name That Painting

by Dena Tollefson

Help me name this new painting!

This painting needs a name- maybe your idea will be used!

Add your suggestion in the comment space below, write your idea on my wall at my Dena Tollefson Art Facebook page,  or send me a private message. Here's your chance to name a piece of original art. This painting is a 16"x20" original oil painting by Dena Tollefson
I look forward to your ideas!