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Published on October 20, 2011 08:30 AM
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Since 1973, it has become difficult to buy lead white in linseed oil to prime canvases and panels. As a result, artists who wish to use oil priming for their supports usually must substitute other materials for the lead white in linseed oil.
Some manufacturers of artists' materials still sell lead white oil paint in cans and large-capacity tubes. It should be noted, however, that most, if not all, of these lead white
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Traditional Oil Painting: The Revival of Historical Artists' Materials
In recent years, we have witnessed the trend towards the use of traditional artists’ materials—painting materials used prior to the twentieth century. This is evident from the growth of small artists’ color companies and in the increased interest among artists about historical painting techniques and materials. Why this trend is occurring is subject to much speculation, but some may say it is due to the revival in figurative art, especially since the 1970s. I would prefer to say that interest in figurative art never really died out, but rather it has survived abstract art.
If this is the case, that the trend towards traditional artists’ materials is related to the renewed interest in figurative art, than Bill Creevy, author and contributing writer to American Artist magazine, may have identified the motivation for this trend. He said, “The advantage to being a figurative artist is that you don’t have to really worry about being in or out of fashion.