FAQ
Below are several questions people interested in my work frequently ask me. If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to contact me and ask.
What Is It Like for You When You're Painting?
When I paint, I often feel at one with the object or scene I’m painting. Never do I see things so clearly and in such detail as when I’m painting. This immersion into my subject gives me the rare feeling of being both self and other at the same time. I hope that doesn’t sound too woo-woo, but that’s really how I feel while I’m painting.
What Oil Paints Do You Use?
All the brands of oil paint I use are Artist Grade rather than Student Grade. Among the brands are Winsor & Newton, Rublev, Williamsburg, Rembrandt, Holbein, and a few others.
I prefer paints with no or low quantities of stabilizers and a high ratio of pigment to oil.
What Surfaces Do You Paint On?
I usually paint either on Ampersand GessoBord or Raymar Quadruple Oil Primed Linen. Both surfaces are on archival-quality board.
Here is Ampersand’s description of the GessoBord I use: “Only Ampersand uses true high-density hardboard made from US grown and renewable Aspen wood fibers. Made with Ampersand’s 1/8″ True Artist Hardbord, the surface is acid-free and non-yellowing.
Raymar describes the panels I use this way: “L64C Artfix Belgian linen is a very fine, tight weave linen and a favorite of professional artists. The linen is beautifully hand primed with four coats of Artfix’s unique & proprietary ‘lead-like’ oil primer. The primer acts like lead primed linen, except without toxicity, and has a unique absorbency that allows paint to “bite” into the surface and create luminous undertones that glow from within.”
For me, the difference is that the surfaces are of varied smoothness, with the Ampersand being smoother than the Raymar. I choose one or the other depending on the subject I’m painting and the effects I want to attain.
How Much Does Shipping Cost?
Currently I’m shipping free to anywhere in the United States. It’s possible that we might have to start charging for shipping in the future. But in the meantime, enjoy the free shipping. There will be an additional US $20.00 charge for shipments outside of the continental United States.
How Quickly Will You Ship My Painting?
After receiving your order, I’ll ship your painting within two to four business days at the most. Usually I’ll ship in two days. You’ll receive an email with a tracking code when the painting is shipped. The only exception to this is if the painting is not yet dry enough to varnish, in which case I will let you know the approximate shipping date.
What Is Your Return Policy?
I want you to be happy with your painting. If, for any reason, for the first week after you get it you decide that it’s not what you wanted, just ship it back to me and I’ll refund your money. No questions asked, though I would like to hear what made you change your mind. It could help my painting.
Do I Need A PayPal Account to Buy a Painting?
No, you don’t. PayPal is my credit card processor. When you click the PayPal button on the Checkout page, you will be able to pay with your credit card without registering with PayPal or opening a PayPal account. If you have a PayPal account and want to use it, you can do that instead of using a credit card.
