Rembrandt's sparkle effect

[Karin Wells]

Why you seem to be ignoring the Rembrandt factor is beyond me Karin.

I really do not know what you mean by "the Rembrandt factor." If you are saying that he added something shiny to his paint to make the light "glow," I disagree. He used ordinary "home made" lead white paint as did most artists of his time and place....he just knew how to use the paint that he had better than most.

But like it or not his paintings glow, and jump out at the viewer. Some more than others. It's more than technique. You probably have to see it in real life to know what I mean

I disagree, the combination of technique, talent and skill is exactly what makes Rembrandt's work outstanding. I too have spent many hours in front of many of his paintings and the paint has no "special sparkle," it is his use of the paint that makes the "sparkle."

In blazing saddles you are going to rush ahead into dangerous territory using the notoriously toxic marble powder.

Blazing Saddles? I found some marble powder at Utrecht in NYC this past weekend and can't resist trying it. Breathing it is the danger and I do not intend to breathe it.

Pardon me for scolding but, why not just stick with what you've got going so far?

Hmmmmmmmm. To begin with, it is in my nature to experiment...every time I pick up a brush I try something new.

Also, it is my understanding that marble powder when added to paint does not alter the color in any way. It does, however, alter the way the paint handles and I am curious about that.

I love to build light thickly (Rembrandt did too) and I have added various things to my paint to make this handling of light better for me. I have tried Oleopasto and Dorland's wax medium to mention a couple of recent experiments. I did not like the effect. Marble dust is something else to try and I really like to play around with paint.

If I were ever going to experiment with mica, pearlescent paints or shiny stuff in a painting, I would use them where they did not show....i.e., in the bottom layer. Maybe they would enhance the bounce of light through the layers....but I think maybe not. In any event I have no plans to try to add shiny stuff to my paint.

One other thing....I really do not think that it is necessary to seriously study Rembrandt if you wish to learn portraiture. Rembrandt is definitely in a category by himself. It is also much easier to study and apply the valuable lessons taught by many other great painters (such as Vermeer).