Artist Spotlight with Charlie Spear and Charvin Oil Colors Review

Charlie Spear only uses Charvin Oils in his Fine Art Painting

Charlie Spear was born in 1948 in the Midwest. The Era of Modern Art was in full swing with the Sixties generating an artistic smorgasbord of art styles and new media. Much of his early career was spent learning about art through teaching art. His imagery grew out of early television and graphic media. Spear paints both as a landscape painter and an abstractionist which characterizes his eclectic tendencies. Philip Guston has had an influence on his art more recently. Exploring the art media’s physical qualities is an important element in his style coupled with an atavistic love of an expressionistic drawing style. The result is a charged surface of automatic line energy and raw cartoon color expressionism.

Memories of Canyon Road (Santa Fe) 16×20 on Masonite Panel Using Charvin Oils

His work is a reflection of familiar events in a life among those six individuals who connect him to the larger human population. His imprinting from childhood via the funnies, hero/heroine- comic books and “good against evil” cartoon movies are mostly the visual underpinnings of his work.

His recent art has moved towards graphic imagery reminiscent of 1950-60 comics. His landscapes are quiet and solitary. Humor and satire are evident in his paints in which people are the subject.

Spring Eel Marsh 16×20 on Masonite Panel with Charvin Paints

Charvin- “I would not use any other paints.”

“I started using Charvin oil paints about 6 months ago. It is not an understatement to say I would not use any other paints, these are true professional oil paints.

I have used Matisse, Winsor Newton, Winton, Liquitex and a few others. Charvin has a consistency that I really like and strong pigmentation. I can glaze with it or use it alla prima impasto. The Best!“

-Charlie Spear

Charvin Fine Oil Paints are made without compromise from some of the oldest continually used paint recipes, utilizing some of the oldest continually used paint recipes, utilizing only the finest in select pigments and a blend of linseed and non-yellowing poppy oil. Pigments are triple-milled and combined to forma  natural progression of colors perfect for any artists’ needs- a wide range that allows for use in both traditional techniques and modern expression, and is especially ideal for plein air painting as the shades closely duplicate the brilliance of and freshness of color from the world around. Highly concentrated Charvin Oil Colors can be used straight from the tube: ever consistent, clean and beautiful– and less time spend fussing with color means more time spent on the creative process!

For more information on Charlie Spear, check out or purchase his art:

www.charlie-spear.artistwebsites.com