This post is all about how to paint the illusion of detail. That is, how can we trick the eye into thinking there’s more going on than what’s actually there. I’ll cover: What It Means and Why It’s Important First, let’s go over what exactly the illusion of detail means and why it’s important. A … Read more
Below is Caloundra, Early Sunrise. It captures the initial moments of the sunrise. I was about to hit the water with my kayak. It was quiet and the sky was mostly dark, but warm light was starting to burst through the clouds. This follows on from my Caloundra, Dramatic Sunrise painting, which is based on … Read more
Below is Sierra Nevada. It’s perhaps my favorite recent painting. Let’s take a look at how I painted it. Reference Photo and Study Below is the reference photo I painted from. It was taken by my brother from his hike through America. Given the recent lockdowns around the world, I have been exploring other sources … Read more
Below is one of my more dramatic paintings, Dramatic Sunrise, Caloundra. Let’s take a look at how I painted it. Reference Photo Below is the reference photo I painted from. I had just hit the water in my kayak and was about to do some fishing. The glassy water reflected the fiery sky. A magnificent … Read more
Let’s take a closer look at Woman With a Parasol by Claude Monet. This painting embodies Impressionism and Monet’s work. A fleeting moment captured with light colors and fresh strokes. I’ll cover: (You can download a high-resolution version of the painting here. You get to see Monet’s strokes with remarkable clarity.) Key Facts and Ideas … Read more
First, thanks for all your support last year. If you read a post, commented, emailed, purchased, or shared-thank you. What a strange and turbulent year it was. Now is a great time to reflect on what went well, what didn’t go well, and what to do in 2021. What Went Well I’m excited to announce … Read more
Here’s another painting based on one of my brother’s photos from his hike across America. It’s a showcase of nature’s light, color, and texture. Reference Photo and Study Here’s the reference photo I painted from (thanks again Tim). Feel free to paint it yourself. Tim doesn’t mind. Just let us know how it turns out. … Read more
I was reading about Frans Hals the other day, a remarkable portrait painter from the 1600s. I got the feeling he was torn between money and passion. On one hand, he needed to satisfy the needs of the wealthy individuals he painted. They paid the bills after all. On the other hand, he was an … Read more
“A painting requires a little mystery, some vagueness, and some fantasy.” Edgar Degas Let’s take a closer look at Edgar Degas’ ballet dancers. It’s a large body of work, containing around 1,500 paintings, sketches, pastels, and sculptures. Degas sums them up nicely in the above quote. I cover: A Study of Movement and Life Degas … Read more
One of the great painters of the Golden Age of Dutch painting, Frans Hals was known for his group and individual portraits, but more particularly, for a uniquely individual style that incorporated obvious brushstrokes, and realistic facial expressions to bring life and character to his subjects. I’ll cover: Key Details Birth: Variously reported as 1580, … Read more