A Closer Look

Marie Denise Villers, Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes, 1801 (Detail 1)

A Closer Look at Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes by Marie Denise Villers

By Dan Scott / January 5, 2022 / 46 Comments

Let’s take a closer look at Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes by Marie Denise Villers. I first saw this painting at the European Masters exhibition. It was a popular painting in a room full of great art. I’ll cover: Who Painted It? Subject Light and Shadow (Value) Color Theme Edges Framing Additional Resources Key … Read more

Paul Cézanne, Gardanne, 1885-92 (European Masterpieces Exhibition)

A Closer Look at Gardanne by Paul Cézanne

By Dan Scott / November 9, 2021 / 39 Comments

In my last post, I took you on a virtual journey of the European Masterpieces exhibition that took place here in Brisbane, Australia. Someone commented that each painting is so beautiful it warrants individual study. I agree. So over the next few weeks, I’m going to be taking a closer look at a handful of … Read more

Vincent van Gogh, Garden Coin With Butterflies, 1887 (Movement)

A Closer Look at Vincent van Gogh’s Grass and Butterflies

By Dan Scott / July 30, 2021 / 57 Comments

Let’s take a closer look at Vincent van Gogh’s Grass and Butterflies. I’m always impressed at how well van Gogh was able to inject life into even the most simple subjects. There’s a sense of movement and activity about it. I’ll cover: Vibrating Colors Light and Shadow (Value) Brushwork, Movement, and Texture Key Points of … Read more

A Closer Look at Waiting by Gordon Coutts

By Dan Scott / May 24, 2021 / 49 Comments

Let’s take a look at a stunning portrait by Gordon Coutts, Waiting. I first saw this painting at the New South Wales Art Gallery. It stopped me in my tracks, despite it being a subtle painting in a dramatic room. Until that point, I had no idea who Coutts was. But it prompted me to learn … Read more

Vincent Van Gogh, Café Terrace at Night, 1888

A Closer Look at Vincent van Gogh’s Café Terrace at Night

By Dan Scott / March 26, 2021 / 83 Comments

Let’s take a look at Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Café Terrace at Night. I’ll cover: Key Facts and Ideas Striking Contrast and Color in the Night Value (Light and Shadow) Brushwork and Outlining Composition Key Takeaways Vincent Van Gogh, Café Terrace at Night, 1888 Van Gogh describes it well: “On the terrace, there are little figures … Read more

Claude Monet, Woman With a Parasol, 1875

A Closer Look at Woman With a Parasol by Claude Monet

By Dan Scott / January 12, 2021 / 52 Comments

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: Key Facts and Ideas Movement and Brushwork Color and Light Composition Key Takeaways Additional Resources Claude Monet, Woman With a Parasol, 1875 (You … Read more

Edgar Degas, Ballet Dancer With Arms Crossed

A Closer Look at Edgar Degas’ Ballet Dancers

By Dan Scott / December 19, 2020 / 72 Comments

“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 Use … Read more

A Closer Look at Vincent van Gogh’s Irises

By Dan Scott / October 9, 2020 / 64 Comments

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent van Gogh Let’s take a closer look at Vincent van Gogh’s Irises. A beautiful display of shape and color with an illustrator-like feel. I’ll cover: Key Facts and Ideas Shape, Line, and Composition Color Value Brushwork Key Takeaways Vincent van Gogh, Irises, 1889 Key … Read more

Claude Monet, Waterloo Bridge, 1899, Drawing

A Closer Look at Claude Monet’s Waterloo Bridge Series

By Dan Scott / September 23, 2020 / 48 Comments

Let’s take a closer look at Claude Monet’s Waterloo Bridge series. A beautiful display of color and atmosphere, as you would expect from Monet. Claude Monet, Waterloo Bridge, Sun, 1903 The series includes over 40 paintings created from 1899 to 1904. Though many have since been sold to private collections, lost, or destroyed; only a … Read more

Caravaggio,-Basket-of-Fruit,-Feature-Image

A Closer Look at Basket of Fruit by Michelangelo Caravaggio

By Dan Scott / August 4, 2020 / 79 Comments

Let’s take a closer look at Michelangelo Caravaggio’s Basket of Fruit. A delicate still life by an intense and controversial artist. It’s amazing to think Caravaggio painted this centuries ago, without the technology and state-of-the-art brushes, paints, and tools we have today. Just shows that today’s advantages are helpful but not necessary for the creation … Read more