“Russia – country of landscapes… I hope the time will come, when all Russian nature, alive and penetrated by spirit, will look from canvases of Russian artists…” Ivan Shishkin Few have captured nature’s delicate beauty like Ivan Shishkin. A Russian master who tasted the rare fruits of an artist’s success but also bitter tragedy. I … Read more
This is a rather detailed guide to the concept of foreshortening as it relates to art. I cover: What Is Foreshortening? Foreshortening in art refers to the way we perceive an object as it recedes in space. It is perhaps best explained visually. Take a moment to do the following: Place your arm in front … Read more
There are a handful of artists I turn to whenever I need inspiration or motivation. Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) is one of them. His luscious brushwork and seductive use of color always prompt me to pick up a brush and tackle the next painting. Key Facts, Events, and Ideas Sorolla was a prolific painter and one … Read more
I have been busy over the past few weeks creating color charts as recommended by Richard Schmid in his book Alla Prima. My charts are still in progress, but I thought I would publish this post in the meantime for others who may want to join me in doing this exercise. I cover: Be warned, … Read more
“Real painters understand with a brush in their hand”. Berthe Morisot Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) was a remarkable Impressionist painter known for her soft touch and pastel colors. In this post, I take a closer look at her life and work. I cover: Key Facts and Ideas She had no formal art education. At the time, … Read more
In this post, I take a closer look at Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich. It is an iconic work of Romanticism that features a man standing on the edge of the rocky terrain, looking out over the foggy landscape. I cover: Key Facts and Ideas It is also referred to … Read more
Fresco is a form of mural painting used to produce grand and often beautiful works on plaster. One of the most famous examples is the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo. The word “fresco” means “fresh” in Italian, referring to the damp lime plaster which frescos are typically painted on. Unlike conventional paint over dry plaster, … Read more
Form is a visual element that refers to the illusion of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. If your paintings look “flat” and uninviting, it is probably due to poor use of form. Major Forms: Sphere, Cube, Cylinder, and Cone The major forms you need to be aware of are sphere, cube, cylinder, and … Read more
In this post, I take a closer look at the remarkably sophisticated Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. There is a lot of information surrounding this painting, but I will try and keep it simple. I’ll cover: Key Facts and Ideas Las Meninas has been the focus of scrupulous research and commentary. It has taken me hours to … Read more
This post is a deep-dive into the concept of hue. I cover the following areas: What Does Hue Mean? Hue is one of the three elements of color, with the other two elements being value (how light or dark a color is) and saturation (how bright or dull a color is). It basically refers to … Read more