Pink and Yellow Roses

Pink and Yellow Roses Square

 I recently came across my notes from a demonstration put on by revered American master artist Richard Schmid.  It took place a few years ago, early in summer down in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod.  Also in attendance was his young protege', Daniel Keys.   It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and I remember being mesmerized as I observed the techniques being deployed - the arrangement of the still life elements, the colors on the palette and even simple things, like how he mixed the grey for a white flower petal in shadow.

Florals are a particular specialty of his, always yielding a lovely result and I used some of his methods, including his palette style
to create this small floral.

Workshop Studies

Cataumet Cove

This week I was one of the lucky painters who participated in a workshop with contemporary realist painter Joseph McGurl.     The workshop was information rich - covering everything from composition to paint application to framing and even today's challenging art market.   If you are ever given the chance to participate, jump at it!


Seagull on Boulder

Despite the - almost - constant mist and rain, we got four painting studies done using some of the techniques, tips and strategies that this amazing artist uses.    It is always a bit unnerving to try new methods (custom view finder, acrylic underpainting, atmospheric glazes), but in the spirit of breaking out of our comfort zones, Joe challenged us to do just that.     He circled through the group offering assistance several times during each painting session, keeping us moving along on our paintings - what was working and what aspects needed attention.

Cataumet PO 02534

My favorite part of the workshop were the demonstrations. I was absolutely mesmerized during both the plein air and studio work.   I remember sitting at one point staring at his illuminated canvas and thinking how fortunate I was and that it was a gift to be able to see this painting in-progress (soon to be on display in New York for international audiences to appreciate.)   His approach and methodology are uniquely his own.   I don't think it was shared so that they would be precisely emulated, but rather to be considered within our own signature styles.  New tools for the toolbox.

Misty Garden Cherub

I've included my four painting sketches, Marsh Cove in Cataumet, Big Boulder, Cataumet PO 02534, Misty Garden Cherub.  All four need work, but here are the post paint-out versions.

Vieques - La Playa Chiva

Vieques - La Playa Chiva

After the winter we have experienced in the Northeast, I was practically delirious to see the bright tropical colors of Vieques, Puerto Rico.   The sky was pure cerulean blue, the water was radiant turquoise and the lush vegetation was bright gold and green.   The fact that we got to paint on this trip was a dream come true.   Words are certain to be insufficient when describing the execution of this painting.   The YouTube video at the following link says at least a thousand words.  

http://youtu.be/AADQ3_kFBC8

In Good Hands

In Good Hands

I loved this family photograph from Christmas so I decided to paint it.   It was a candid shot of my Grand-nephew being held by his Dad while they opened his Christmas gift bag.   Baby was more interested in watching all the activity in the room while chomping on his chubby little fist.    He is so cute and I am not just saying it!  

Sometimes a painting flows and this was one of them.   Although it was done from a photograph instead of "from life"  the structural likenesses were important.   I tried to approach the sketch in exactly the same way as I would if I had the figures physically present.    I think I got off to a good start by establishing a strong geometric rendering which yielded the correct perspectives.

If you like the painting, you can help my "like" count by clicking this link.

To see a video of intermittent stages of this painting's development, you can go to the blog directly and click on the video link.  It's less than five minutes long.

You can also watch via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_AP_3k1_o4

Golden Waves of Grain

Golden Waves of Grain

This painting was done as part of a demonstration for my friends at Compass on the Bay Senior Residence.  I decided to use a beautiful photo of a farm in autumn for my reference.  Each person in the audience had a copy of the photo in hand so that they could have a good look at what I was painting.

The painting session became an interactive experience with many seniors offering input into the painting process.   Seniors are refreshingly direct, and they freely offered their opinions and suggestions.   The farm scene provided a bright and colorful subject, working out well even for those with more limited vision.