Great painting day today in Pacific Grove. The light was perfect, very little atmosphere/humidity made for clear color. Of course on days like today, you need to invent distance (ariel perspective) so your painting will read well. I tihink I got the distance to work here (although the rocks/surf where not that far away).I took … Read more
Yesterday, I visited the “California Impressions” exhibit at our beautiful new de Young museum in San Francisco. The exhibit had some nice work, but not the most impressive I’ve seen of this genre. I came away with a new appreciation for William Keith (1838-1911), although their collection of “Society of Six” works was a bit … Read more
This is the first of ten planned observations on plein air painting. “A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art. Emotion is the starting point, the beginning and the end. Craftsmanship and technique are in the middle.” – Paul Cezanne. “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” John … Read more
I received a nice email today. A newspaper in Marin has asked permission to reprint my painting below in an article they’re doing on Angel Island. Cheers! Angel Island Harbor (Marin) – Oil on Canvas – 8×10″
Over the coming months I plan to launch a series of posts that expose what I consider my top 10 observations as a plein air painter. Many of these apply across mediums and I’m sure you’ve seen many in one form other the other in books, workshops or other sources. These represent my take on … Read more
Here’s the second of the two studies I painted Saturday at Crystal Springs. I’m happy with the subtle colors of the background hills–in particular the variation between trees in shado (violet) and those in sun (orange-violet). I played around with the shadows cast by the trees on the foreground hill quite a bit. Do you … Read more
I painted two good plein air studies yesterday, this is the first, “Crystal Springs, Toward the Sun”. I’m currently reading Emille Grupe’s text on painting, and in it he writes about the color of the sky. Art teachers will tell you about the color of the sky and how it changes from horizon (light blue-gree) … Read more
I was browsing through my favorite artists (see right side bar) and came across this painting by Charles Movalli. Wow! This is how I want to paint, with abandon: free brush work, inventive color, you can see the excitement in this piece. Movalli studied with Emille Gruppe, who I’m currently reading. I found an out-of-print … Read more
Here’s my second painting from yesterday, from Pescadero Point on the 17-Mile Drive in Carmel. The photograph is a bit washed-out compared to the original. I wish I lived close by so I could study furtrher the ice plant and water colors, which are so incredible in this area. Pescadero Point – Oil on Linen … Read more
I paid my dues yesterday with mixed weather–today was fantastic! I completed two paintings and met several other local artists, including renowned portrait artist Bart Lindstrom, a really nice guy. I’ll post one today, the other tomorrow. This is from Pescadero Point, on the “17 Mile Drive“. I actually painted this smaller study second, after … Read more