Jack Anglin's Media & Technique
OIL PAINTINGS are usually made on stretched fabric of fine canvas or
high quality linen that enable the creation of large flat surfaces. These
'canvases' are larger and better than practically found with papers or
heavy wood panels. Canvas and linen fabrics have a wide range of
thread thickness, thread count, and finished textures.
Generally, oil paints allow more time for the artist to blend and work
the paint before it is set up and drying/hardening on the surface. After
drying, the texture first applied can provide a rich surface over which
more paint is easily and readily received with interesting effects. Oil
paints also have a wonderful depth and natural beauty and provide the
artist the ability to work in layers as transparent glazes with varnishes.
The way Jack uses oil paint varies with each painting. A tremendous
amount of effects are possible by using thick and thin paint and by
mixing techniques. His portraits are characteristically smooth when it
comes to the face, skin and other soft elements. Recently some details
have taken on more texture with under-painting and are very
expressive--especially concerning the background and other parts
of the painting.
Jack strives to use high quality pigments that are recommended to be
compatible with other paint components and mediums. His palette uses
colors recommended by contemporary and traditional artists and
experts who have taken seriously the problem of choosing paint and
pigments. His choice of colors are less likely to crack or fade since they
are selected by examining the chemical composition and the
compatibility of all the pigments that could be used together.
Oil paints are wonderful to use! The artist wishes he could adequately
convey the thrill of mixing colors, applying paint, and seeing a painting
take shape with oil paint.
PASTEL is a wonderful medium that has so very much to offer! There
are several misconceptions about pastels. First, pastels are not “chalks”!
Chalk is calcite, made from fossilized sea creatures, and such as what is
used in schools to mark on a chalk board. In fact, pastel “sticks” are
made with the same high quality pigments used in expensive quality
watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints. As with other media, pastels are
available in a wide range of qualities from a variety of manufacturers.
A binder such as glycerin is added to the finely ground powder of pure
pigment to keep the pastel sticks holding together, solid, and
manageable after drying. Pastels differ from other media in that they
require no other chemicals or additives.
Some pastel artists do use a fixative, a sticky lacquer, to help attach one
layer of pastel to another. Jack prefers to use pastels dry and uses no
fixatives or sprays during painting or as a final cover spray, since those
can eventual discolor. Pastels are made on paper, board, or panel --
usually, the best choice is a 100% cotton rag medium weight "paper"
available in quite a few colors.
Since no chemicals are added to the color mix in Jack's works, the pastel
"painting" has a very long life when framed using contemporary
preservation techniques. When you see any of the impressionist's works
that were created in pastel, and you realize the beauty of their color as
well as the high quality of their present state (though made 100 years
ago, or more), then you can see why today pastel is still a choice
medium used by many fine art professionals all over the world.
All that is required to keep the pastel painting safe and undamaged is
for it to be framed under glass, with a mat to keep it out of contact with
the glass. Ultraviolet radiation will affect any pigment in any media, so
it is best to frame pastels with a museum quality UV protective glass.
New kinds of glass and acrylic panels are available that are superior to
the old non-glare glass and include a UV filter, which is always Jack's
preference for use with his pastel paintings.
SIZE CONSIDERATIONS Some portraits demand a large scale, while
others are better served in a smaller format. How this is determined has
to do with where the portrait is intended to hang, how many subjects
are included, what kind of background environment is desired, and of
course, the price. This is something to talk about with the artist -- it will
all become clear before anything is started.
Are You Considering
Making a Gift of a Portrait?
A sweet aspect of the portrait as a gift is the giver being there for as much
as of the process as is possible. I suggest introducing the portrait idea as a
gift at a special occasion or at the holidays with a card or a creative
presentation. The subject of the painting, or recipient, will have the fun in
anticipating your gift as a process, and start thinking about what they
might want or like. That way you can be sure it will conclude with a
positive result, and it stretches out your gift! The giver, the recipient, the
subject, everyone is in on the start, and engaged along the way, and
anticipating your wonderful gift of a finished portrait. Grandparents and
friends are often present for the first sitting and then in on the revealing.
We can make it an event!
One of my images (the girl with the cat, above) was a gift of the girl’s
grandmother who saw to it that all of her grandchildren were painted by
Jack Anglin. Not only was the portrait a valued gift, but the matriarch was
in on all the events she created for her family with every one the sittings
for four children. She enjoyed the suspense waiting on the finished
products, sharing the event from start to finish! In that case the child
posed on her grandmother's sofa, --your portrait has the potential for
those kind of special inclusions of place, furniture, jewelry, etc.
Thank you for visiting my portrait gallery!
Here below you should find all the information you might need about portraits by
Jack Anglin. Please understand, these are not retouched canvases like some
popular photographers produce -- all of the images here and what I can create for
you are purely works of art from one artist’s hand. Its a very special thing, and a
amazing responsibility which Jack Anglin takes very seriously.
Call if you have any questions!
WORKING FROM YOUR PHOTOS
Occasionally I am asked to make a painting from a customer’s photo. Whether it’s
for a posthumous portrait or perhaps just a perfect photographic image that
demands being used, I am more that happy to take a look at your photo and
imagine how it might be possible to proceed.
The best thing would be to just make contact and send along a scan of the photo,
I’ll see what I can do, at no charge for a consultation and with zero obligation to
proceed.
Thank you for taking time to read this important information. I'll be very happy
to speak about any ideas or questions you might have. -Jack Anglin
All images herein are the protected intellectual property of John H. Anglin
Copyright © 2023 John H. Anglin, All Rights Reserved 702 708-2764 zeefineartist@gmail.com