My modest library.

My modest library; references, photos, art from the past and the present, and of course music. But not loud, I find it difficult to concentrate with loud music, even classical music.

More tools of the trade...

As a medium I use a mixture of linseed oil diluted to fifty parts of odorless turpenoid, as seen on the photo. This allows me to work very loosely and at the same time work with details; also since I use nylon brushes and occasionally bristles, this medium is perfect for my style.
I had used mixtures of oil and varnishes mixed at different ratios, and the so called Old Masters Mediums, but I found them to be heavy and dense and I couldn't work on a loose manner.

My color system.

This is a view of how I organize my colors. Every artist has his/her own way of organizing their pallets. My way: two rows of color, the first row to the left of the screen is mixed with a little bit of white ( or whatever color I may be using as the highest light, in this case the pink mixture on the lowest part of the photograph). The second row consist of colors as they come out of their tubes.
I use this system when I work with big paintings; although it is tedious to do this preparation, it pays off as I move along because the tones are premixed and all I have to do is change them a little bit as I go.
Some times I use a third row of colors mixed with black (OMG he uses black?) for my shadows.
Of course, this system probably falls apart when painting from a live model or being outdoors painting a landscape, since the subject in front will dictate the colors.

More tools of the trade...

Paper palettes are very convenient although some people may object to that in terms of creation of more waste.

Tools of the trade...

My work table, handmade and on wheels; not very attractive but sturdy an effective.

Work in progress.

Here is my new work. I started this painting in late June of this year; the background is already covered, now I'm moving from the background to the foreground which I find easy for me to work; I always worked in this manner: first the background, then the foreground. Latter on I'll go back and adjust some of the colors and contrast.

Some interesting sites....

Etaoin
ArtSpace Virginia Miller
AbsoluteArts
Juxtapoze Magazine
Iam a Silverback Gorilla
Joanne Mattera Art Blog
The Artist Magazine
The Artist Experience
Teresabelle Designs
Journal of my Oil Techniques
Artists Blogs, Art Blogs and Art Blogging!
Dan Heller Photography Business
Tood Schorr
Coroflot Design, Illustration
Art Blogs 4 you