THE SYNTAX OF COLOR

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    We tame the medium and the medium tames us
    Michael Skalka
    • Mar 25
    • 4 min

    We tame the medium and the medium tames us

    Summary: Making art is a two-way proposition. An artist masters the medium of their choice and bends it to their will. However, the...
    260
    It Sure Doesn’t Look Like Tomato Juice!
    Michael Skalka
    • Jan 29
    • 4 min

    It Sure Doesn’t Look Like Tomato Juice!

    Summary: It is time once again to dive into the realm of common household foods as they apply, or in this case, should not be applied to...
    380
    Adventures in Painting
    Michael Skalka
    • Jan 7
    • 3 min

    Adventures in Painting

    In a previous Syntax of Color essay, I encouraged readers to branch out and try other media to expand your skills and capabilities. ...
    481
    The Unvarnished Truth
    Michael Skalka
    • Dec 10, 2021
    • 4 min

    The Unvarnished Truth

    The subject of selecting varnish is important because the decision can result in a painting being protected and long-lasting verses a...
    730
    Paint Big or Go Home
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 24, 2021
    • 4 min

    Paint Big or Go Home

    I painted thickly. I painted thinly. I scraped things off. I over painted many areas. I changed my mind several times because things...
    510
    Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 11, 2021
    • 3 min

    Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

    Sometimes making art requires the same strategy that is employed when doing physical exercises. Doing different sets of repetitions,...
    441
    Through Thick or Thin?
    Michael Skalka
    • Sep 30, 2021
    • 4 min

    Through Thick or Thin?

    I am focusing on paint viscosity while working on some big pictures that required a large quantity of oil paint. This got me thinking...
    701
    Stretching and Straining (Canvas, That Is)
    Michael Skalka
    • Sep 9, 2021
    • 3 min

    Stretching and Straining (Canvas, That Is)

    An artist can get a bit spoiled by continuously painting on pre-primed panels because it is easy to forget the steps needed to prepare a...
    310
    A Primer on Primers -"A Little Dab Will Do Ya."
    Michael Skalka
    • Sep 2, 2021
    • 5 min

    A Primer on Primers -"A Little Dab Will Do Ya."

    Oil Penetration The same question appears repeatedly on various social media sites that utilize crowd-sourced responses. The question:...
    370
    What's The Limit of Your Limited Palette?
    Michael Skalka
    • Jun 4, 2021
    • 4 min

    What's The Limit of Your Limited Palette?

    Selecting Colors A number of years ago when I lived in the New York metro area, I listened to a FM station that had a program called...
    520
    How to Avoid Airborne Easels
    Michael Skalka
    • Mar 15, 2021
    • 5 min

    How to Avoid Airborne Easels

    We are starting to get a glimpse of the start of the outdoor painting season approaching in the mid-Atlantic region. Soon, deciduous...
    940
    This Art Is So Stupid a Monkey Could Paint That!
    Michael Skalka
    • Feb 25, 2021
    • 5 min

    This Art Is So Stupid a Monkey Could Paint That!

    This is probably a phrase that is muttered daily under the breath by some patrons who visit a modern art museum. It is easy to recognize...
    1110
    The Priming Layer
    Michael Skalka
    • Nov 17, 2020
    • 4 min

    The Priming Layer

    The priming layer or ground a painting is placed upon has gotten a lot of attention in recent years. Since the priming layer serves as a...
    700
    Are Artist Just Too Curious?
    Michael Skalka
    • Apr 19, 2016
    • 2 min

    Are Artist Just Too Curious?

    Artist appear to be composed of two types of people, some who desire to experiment and other who are happy with the array of art...
    560
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    © The Syntax of Color  SyntaxofColor  - Michael Skalka

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