In July I completed two weeks of workshops at Art New England in Bennington, Vermont, offered by Mass College of Art: "Book Arts" taught by Valerie Carrigan and "Rethinking Landscape" taught by Emily Eveleth. I strongly recommend the ANE program to anyone interested in packing a semester's worth of study into one week, instructed by world-class artists. Here is the Facebook ANE link. ABOVE: … [Read more...]
Color Exercises
Most of my adult life, time spent painting happens on the margins of work in high-tech. This fragmented, unpredictable, inconsistent, lack of schedule produces truncated blocks of time. That’s why painting small and fast is an approach that allows me to continue to grow despite interruptions from other responsibilities. My school education in the 1970s and 80s was chaotic and contradictory rather … [Read more...]
Color Charts
In 1976, I purchased "The Artist’s Handbook of Materials and Techniques" by Ralph Mayer, following a respected instructor's advice that it was the only book of its kind I would ever need. Too many years later I came to understand how naive I was. Now a growing number of books on materials and methods in painting share shelf space laden with art history, biography, theory, and aesthetics. Paint … [Read more...]
Observation
Direct observation of nature is the central tenet in John Ruskin’s book of drawing instruction "The Elements of Drawing". First published in London in 1857, it was frequently reprinted during the next fifty years. The exercises build methodically, appealing to both beginner and advanced artists without resorting to tricks or effects. Ruskin’s aesthetic ideas influenced major art movements in his … [Read more...]
Nell Blaine
Nell Blaine’s (1922-1996) life is an inspiring story of action and indomitable spirit. Her life and art was a triumph over the greatest difficulties. In 1942, at age 19, she left home in Virginia for New York City, ignoring her mother’s tears and threats to have her committed if she did. As a teenager Blaine was an academic realist but quickly evolved into an abstract painter in New York. She … [Read more...]
Manet Copy
Manet’s painting "Plum Brandy" is one of my earliest favorites. With apologies to Manet, my copy could not capture to a greater extent the sweetness of the woman’s tired expression and alcohol-induced world weariness. This painting reveals Manet’s consummate skill of orchestrating a complex mix of color, design, paint handling, and emotion, all within the frame of contemporary life. The power … [Read more...]
Composition
When I was an art student in the 1970s, an instructor praised the composition of my painting in a crit, and then said, “You know you’re in trouble when the composition is the best thing about a painting.” It was a confusing insult and a mean way to teach. But it was typical of a common attitude of the time: contempt for analysis of visual arrangement and an unwillingness to teach composition. … [Read more...]
Claude Monet Copies
Anyone who has tried to paint copies knows that it is an active form of learning, accomplishing much more than looking alone can produce. I am not usually a fan of “How-To-Paint” books, but “Paint Like Monet” by James Heard looked like fun. Nine gouache copies are presented here. The book has a simple approach to help the viewer see the underlying structure of each painting. I wanted to copy … [Read more...]