Michael SkalkaMar 254 minWe tame the medium and the medium tames usSummary: Making art is a two-way proposition. An artist masters the medium of their choice and bends it to their will. However, the...
Michael SkalkaJan 294 minIt 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...
Michael SkalkaJan 73 minAdventures in PaintingIn a previous Syntax of Color essay, I encouraged readers to branch out and try other media to expand your skills and capabilities. ...
Michael SkalkaDec 10, 20214 minThe Unvarnished TruthThe subject of selecting varnish is important because the decision can result in a painting being protected and long-lasting verses a...
Michael SkalkaNov 24, 20214 minPaint Big or Go HomeI painted thickly. I painted thinly. I scraped things off. I over painted many areas. I changed my mind several times because things...
Michael SkalkaNov 11, 20213 minStep Outside Your Comfort ZoneSometimes making art requires the same strategy that is employed when doing physical exercises. Doing different sets of repetitions,...
Michael SkalkaSep 30, 20214 minThrough 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...
Michael SkalkaSep 9, 20213 minStretching 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...
Michael SkalkaSep 2, 20215 minA 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:...
Michael SkalkaJun 4, 20214 minWhat'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...
Michael SkalkaMar 15, 20215 minHow to Avoid Airborne EaselsWe are starting to get a glimpse of the start of the outdoor painting season approaching in the mid-Atlantic region. Soon, deciduous...
Michael SkalkaFeb 25, 20215 minThis 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...
Michael SkalkaNov 17, 20204 minThe Priming LayerThe 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...
Michael SkalkaApr 19, 20162 minAre 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...