Bonus Download: Grab my free Color Theory Cheat Sheet. 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. Joaquín Sorolla, Elena Among…
Creating the Richard Schmid Color Charts
Bonus Download: New to painting? Start with my free Beginner’s Guide to Painting. 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…
Berthe Morisot – Key Facts, Fleeting Brushwork, and Strong Fundamentals
Bonus Download: New to painting? Start with my free Beginner’s Guide to Painting. “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. Berthe Morisot,…
A Closer Look at Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich
Bonus Download: Before diving into this post, make sure you grab my free Landscape Painting Starter Kit. 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,…
Form in Art – How to Use It Effectively (And Avoid “Flat” Artworks)
Bonus Download: New to painting? Start with my free Beginner’s Guide to Painting. What is Form? 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. The major forms you need…
A Closer Look at Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez
Bonus Download: New to painting? Start with my free Beginner’s Guide to Painting. 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. Diego Velázquez, Las Meninas, 1656 Key Facts and Ideas Las…
Hue – The Ultimate Guide for Artists
Bonus Download: Grab my free Color Theory Cheat Sheet. This post is a deep-dive into the concept of hue. I cover the following areas: What Does Hue Mean? Hue Sets the Theme Hue and Realism Hue and Color Temperature Hue and Value Hue and Color Mixing Hue and Psychology Key Takeaways Albert Henry, A Color Notation…
A Closer Look At The Hay Wain by John Constable
“Painting is but another word for feeling.” John Constable In this post, I take a closer look at a moody English landscape painting named The Hay Wain by John Constable. (If you want to learn more about landscape painting, make sure to grab my free Landscape Painting Starter Kit). John Constable, The Hay Wain, 1821…
Camille Pissarro – A Closer Look at His Life and Art
“It is absurd to look for perfection.“ Camille Pissarro In this post, I take a closer look at his interesting life and art of Camille Pissarro. His work is colorful, adventurous, and played a pivotal role in the development and popularity of Impressionism. However, he is often overshadowed by fellow artist and friend, Claude Monet.…
How to Paint This New Zealand Landscape Scene
Bonus Download: Before diving into this post, make sure you grab my free Landscape Painting Starter Kit. In this post, I walk you step-by-step through my New Zealand Reflections painting. This was done in oils on a 20×24 inch canvas. For those of you who paint in acrylics or watercolors, many of the fundamental concepts…
