Technique

Richard Peterson will generally begin a commission with a client consultation where ideas will be exchanged to enable the artist to, within his artistic scope and vision, create a painting that will realize his personal aesthetic expression and fulfill the client's expectations. A nominal fee, which can be applied to the cost of any work ordered, will be charged.

Richard Peterson will commence a work with the selection of the appropriate linen canvas, which he obtains in Amsterdam and is of the highest quality. This will then be "sized" with the traditional hide-glue followed by a "tanning" process utilizing formaldehyde to reduce susceptibility to atmospheric humidity. The required layers of hand-ground white lead in cold-pressed linseed "stand oil" will then be applied over a measured time period. The stand oil used is NOT the inferior "art store" material, but the real article, left to bleach and thicken in covered trays in the sun for one summer season… to "stand"… as the masters created it. Prior to this, it will have been "washed" several times with water to remove any mucilage and impurities. Other oils include poppy, walnut, etc.

The pigments used in the hand-grinding of the paint to be used to realize the picture-to-be include genuine lapis lazuli blue (worth more than gold by weight), lead-tin yellow, orpiment, madder root, malachite and so-on… the finest obtainable in the world today. Also, natural fossil resins may be added to the paint to achieve specific qualities for certain applications. These are very difficult to process. Natural colored earths from all over the world are also used from the "pigment library".

In the event that wood is desired for a painting support, only the finest, well-seasoned American or European quarter-sawn oak is used after being dressed by hand and prepared with white lead, as with the canvas previously described.

The paintings by Richard Peterson are planned and created for the ages, and when well cared for will be as integral, brilliant and beautiful in four-hundred years as they are at their completion.

High-quality photographs are available, on a limited basis, of previously painted works, including intense close-up studies. Upon payment of a nominal fee, these can be dispatched to a prospective client. Fee is refundable upon return of photos in condition sent, or applicable to a commission cost. We absolutely invite comparison with any other works by any artist, in private collection or museum. You be the judge.