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. Caspar David Friedrich, Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, 1818 Key…
Form in Art – How to Use It Effectively (And Avoid “Flat” Artworks)
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 to be aware of are sphere, cube, cylinder, and cone (refer to an…
A Closer Look at Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez
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 Meninas has been the focus of scrupulous research and commentary. It has taken…
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…
A Closer Look at The Poppy Field by Claude Monet
“I must have flowers, always, and always.” Claude Monet In this post, I take a closer look at a pleasant landscape painting named The Poppy Field by Claude Monet. It depicts four people (probably including Monet’s wife and son) strolling through a poppy field at Argenteuil, Paris. Unlike many of the other paintings I write…
Josh Clare – Artist Spotlight
Bonus Download: Before diving into this post, make sure you grab my free Landscape Painting Starter Kit. Josh Clare is a remarkable landscape painter who impressed me with his controlled, yet painterly brushwork and his peaceful depictions of the landscape. I reached out to him with some questions about his life and work as an…
How to Use Grid Drawing to Improve Your Accuracy
Dan Scott, New Zealand Reflections, 2019 Grid drawing is a technique that will help improve your accuracy without compromising the development of your freehand drawing in the long-term. It basically involves placing a grid over your reference photo and canvas, then using that grid to assist with the placement of your drawing. The grid provides…
