The MazArt Blog

Painting tips, student spotlights and what's new in the studio, from Marion Dutton and MazArt Academy.

Colour MixingWhy Black Fur Isn't Really Black: Painting Pet Portraits in OilsPaint black fur with black paint and it goes flat. Here's what I see in black fur, and how I mix my darks for pet portraits in oils. Painting TipsWhat Are Tonal Values in Oil Painting?Tonal values are simply how light or dark something is. Here's why they matter so much, and the four tones I pre-mix for every oil painting. Painting TipsUnderpainting vs No Underpainting in Oils: Why I Start with OneI painted the same pear twice, with and without an underpainting. Here's what an underpainting does and why I start my oil paintings with one. Student SpotlightsCongratulations, Deborah: MazArt Foundation GraduateDeborah finished the MazArt Foundation Course with broccoli, carrots and a white mug, painted with no lesson to follow. Student SpotlightsHazel, Foundation Graduate Number ThreeHazel's solo still life pairs a blue mug with eggs, and it earned her the third MazArt Foundation certificate. Student SpotlightsPaula Completes the MazArt Foundation CoursePaula is our second Foundation Graduate, with a bright lemon and orange still life painted entirely on her own. Student SpotlightsCarla, Our First MazArt Foundation GraduateCarla was the very first student to finish the MazArt Foundation Course, ending with a citrus still life painted all on her own. Student SpotlightsCongratulations to Charlotte, MazArt Foundation Course GraduateA huge congratulations to Charlotte, who has finished the MazArt Foundation Course and earned her graduate certificate. In Charlotte's wordsBecause of MazArt Online Academy I have Recommended SuppliesThe Perfect Starter Brush SetMarion Dutton's pick of Rosemary & Co brush sets for beginners and landscapes, plus the Smoosher brush she uses for soft oil underpaintings. Recommended SuppliesAmpersand Gessobord: The Perfect Surface for Detailed Oil PaintingMarion Dutton explains why Ampersand Gessobord suits detailed oil painting, how she prepares it with extra gesso, and why it's cheaper to ship. Recommended SuppliesOil Painting Mediums & SolventMarion Dutton explains lean and fat mediums for oil painting: what to use for the underpainting, and how to pick one fat medium and stick with it. Recommended SuppliesDiscover the Hidden Treasure of ACF Stretched CanvasMarion Dutton reviews ACF bulk stretched canvases for oil painting: lightweight frames, a taut surface and good value for regular painters. Recommended SuppliesCanvas PrimingThe primers and grounds Marion Dutton uses to prepare canvases for oil painting, including toned grounds for underpainting and Gamblin Oil Ground. Recommended SuppliesBrushes For Florals & Still LifeThe Rosemary & Co brushes and sizes Marion Dutton recommends for floral and still life oil painting, from petal strokes to soft backgrounds. Recommended SuppliesEnhancing Your Oil Paintings with Gamblin VarnishMarion Dutton's guide to varnishing oil paintings with Gamblin Gamvar: gloss, satin or matte, the right brush, and fixing sunken areas first. Recommended SuppliesBrushes For Landscapes (and sea)Marion Dutton's recommended Rosemary & Co brushes for painting landscapes and seascapes in oils, including sizes for trees, skies and water. Recommended SuppliesAmazon ShopThe oil painting essentials, studio extras and books Marion Dutton uses and recommends, collected in her Amazon shop. Recommended SuppliesRapid Resizer - How I use it!Marion Dutton shows how she uses Rapid Resizer to scale tracings to any canvas size and print them across sheets on a home printer. Painting TipsHow to Paint Glass and Reflections in OilsGlass isn't really a colour of its own. Here's how I paint glass and reflections in oils, using my Quiet Measure still life as the example. Recommended SuppliesBrushes for Pet & Portrait PaintingThe Rosemary & Co brushes Marion Dutton recommends for pet portraits and portraits in oils, with the sizes she uses for fur, whiskers and skin tones. Recommended SuppliesStaedtler Mars Eraser (Typist Erasers)How Marion Dutton uses Staedtler Mars typist erasers to lift highlights and tidy edges in a dry-brush oil underpainting.