In reply to Susan

Hi Susan,

I need to clarify a few points on your query. (a) Did you use green as an under layer for these portraits? This is quite normal practice to give the correct skin tones. I have been using Genesis paints for many many years and have been very impressed with the high quality of both pigment and medium. I have never encountered any problems with fugitive colour, fading or cracking.
(b) I do not understand why you did not heat set the painting before attempting to apply the layer for the glasses. It would be standard practice in any medium to allow the face and eyes to dry before applying the glasses as another layer.

It is difficult for me to give advice without seeing the painting but I would heat set the paint. As I said before most portrait painters apply a green tinge to flesh tones. So once the initial layer is dry you could apply the final skin tones as a semi-transparent layer. Once you are satisfied with the result add the glasses as another layer. You will achieve a convincing effect for the glass lens by using your glazing medium.

Hope this is of some assistance… Dalerie

Sealing a gesso board

Hi George, In reply to your query about lubricating the porous surface of gesso boards with Liquin: Not a good idea. Liquin was not designed to be exposed to 130 degrees. You could use Genesis Glazing Gel (medium). However, as I mentioned before, it would be more economical to use the Fredrix canvas which has a sealed surface with the added benefit of a ‘Teflon’ finish that enables your loaded brush to glide across the surface. If you are part of an art group it would be advantageous to purchase a roll (53 inches by 7 yards) and split it among the group.

in reply to your second post: The Genesis varnish is a good idea if you need to use gesso boards. Don’t you just love the versatility of this product?

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About Dalerie

Hi, I’m Dalerie Patterson,

I have been tutoring beginners to advanced artists in traditional oils and heat-dried oil for over forty years.  The artists at Art Studio 91 have been creating paintings of a very high standard.  These artists paint for their own pleasure, some paintings are reproduced on giclees while others work on specific commissions.  I continue to gain great satisfaction from seeing these artists achieve levels far beyond their expectations.

I have also been the Technical Editor of Artists Palette for
a number of years and in future will be writing for Leisure Painter, The Artist
On-line Publication in the U.K (TAPC).

Genesis Paints in Australia have asked me to act on their behalf
answering queries from artists using the amazing heat-set oils. I encourage
artists to use this blog to contact me to ask for help or clarification with
any difficulties that may arise when making the transition or using heat-set
oils.

LINK TO ART STUDIO 91.

Please visit my studio at www.artstudio91.com to see some of the paintings created by my students.