For your inspiration today is Visit to a Museum by Edgar Degas. (Click here to download a high-resolution photo of the painting.) Some key observations: The painting has two distinct parts: the woman pursuing the museum and the museum itself. Degas used a unique approach for each part. For the woman, he used fine rendering, hard edges, … Read more
Feel free to paint from them without the worry of copyright. If you want more, you can get access to the full reference photo library here. Happy painting! Dan Scott Draw Paint Academy
This is a detailed guide on staining the canvas (or what is more formally known as underpainting). I remember when I first started using this technique. It had a profound effect on my work and my ability to judge colors. I’ll cover: (I also published a video on this topic here.) What it Means and … Read more
Let’s discuss the primary colors as they relate to art, or more specifically, painting. These are the first colors you’ll learn about in art. Even my 1-year-old daughter, Elora, has been introduced to the primary colors through her children’s shows and at daycare. Perhaps it’s because we’re introduced to the primary colors so early in … Read more
(My “On the Easel” posts give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I am working on, what went well, what went wrong, and things I learn.) Let’s take a look at how I painted Maryvale, Cows. This is one of my favorite paintings from this year. Reference Photo Below is the reference photo I painted from. … Read more
I stumbled across this painting by Claude Monet, Garden at Giverny. What a shimmering display of color! (Click here to download a high-resolution photo of the painting.) Some key observations: Feel free to share your thoughts about the painting in the comment section below. If you want to learn more, you should check out my Painting … Read more
Reflected light is one of those small but powerful details that can make or break your painting. This post will help you paint it more accurately. I’ll cover: What Is Reflected Light? Reflected light is light that bounces or reflects off objects. For example, the light bouncing off and around the walls of your room—that’s … Read more
I recently put the finishing touches on my new painting, Maryvale, Cows (see below). I painted from this photo taken last year at Maryvale, Queensland. It was Chontele’s 30th and we stayed in this beautiful cabin in the hinterlands. As we were leaving for home, I remember asking Chontele to stop the car so I could take some reference … Read more
(My “On the Easel” posts give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I am working on, what went well, what went wrong, and things I learn.) Let’s take a look at how I painted Brisbane City, White Light. It depicts a grand tree on the edge of the Brisbane river. It was an unusual morning. A … Read more
Let’s take a closer look at Woman at Her Toilette by Berthe Morisot. This is Impressionism at its best with fleeting brushwork and soft colors woven together in harmony. I’ll cover: Focal Point and Secondary Points of Interest The focal point is, of course, the woman at her toilette. She’s positioned in a prominent spot … Read more