Saint Francis

Tempera Grassa, egg tempera and gilding on traditionally gessoed (marble dust and rabbit skin glue) Baltic Birch panel. My oil for for the painting is made annually, from Northern Idaho pine shavings whittled into a flax oil and alcohol emulsion, and then clarified in a process spanning a half year, sometimes more. This oil is clear, transparent, nonyellowing, very fast drying and needs no solvents to incorporate and grind with pigments into fresh paint. Soap and water cleanup; quick and easy. I developed this process in response to a growing sensitivity to all solvents, including those with low VOC. Thankfully, I find it far easier to use than contemporary medium products.