Saturday, December 31, 2011



This was a 24x36" plein air painting I did in oils in 1968. It has survived but throughout all these years the oils have cracked and the varnish has turned an splotchy ugly yellow. It does have an old charm and some of that is because the yellowing has created a color harmony in the piece, however if you were to see it close up the age has really taken a toll.


This painting was done in acrylics around the year 2000. I have many paintings in my possession that are well over 40 years old and done in acrylics that have not cracked and the colors still look fresh and vibrant.
So, are acrylics better than oils? I know there are oil paintings in museums that are hundreds of years old but they have been cared for. For someone like myself who has had to store paintings in all sorts of places and conditions, acrylics stand up so much better.

3 comments:

Navarre Vacation Rentals said...

The bottom painting I first mistook for a photograph. You did a great job of capturing the shadows and details.

Brad Miedema said...

Both are beautiful pantings Roger. I love the bottom one! The way you composed it is very dramatic. I remember seeing a train car in your backyard on one of your video posts. You must be very fond of them.

I too sometimes wonder why acrylics seem to almost be looked down on compared to oils? I can paint in both mediums, but personally I prefer the acrylic paints. I like the fast drying times and the cool effects that can be created. I feel very comfortable with them.

I think its fantastic that your acrylic paintings have kept as long as they have and still look as good as new. It makes me feel even better about my medium of choice.

Photo To Painting said...

I do like the painting. Lovely color, nice light on the fields. I'm not an expert,At a higher-volume intersection, painted artwork would probably wear away after some not very long time.