“As the woods are the same, the trees standing in their places, the rocks and the earth… they are always different too, as lights and shadows and seasons and moods pass through them.” Emily Carr Trees are an endless source of inspiration for me. So many unique combinations of color, light, shadow, form, and other…
Edward Theodore Compton: Landscape Painter, Teacher, and Mountaineer
Edward Theodore Compton, A View From the Val Roseg to La Sella, La Muongia and IL Chapütchin I came across Edward Theodore Compton’s work the other day. I’m surprised he eluded me until now. I’ll keep this one brief. Sometimes, it’s better to just sit back and admire. Here are key points about his life:…
Ivan Shishkin – “Czar of the Forest”
Bonus Download: Before diving into this post, make sure you grab my free Landscape Painting Starter Kit. “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.…
Foreshortening – What It Means and How to Paint It
Bonus Download: New to painting? Start with my free Beginner’s Guide to Painting. This is a rather detailed guide to the concept of foreshortening as it relates to art. I cover: What Is Foreshortening? Effects of Foreshortening The Mathematics Behind Foreshortening Foreshortening Tips Foreshortening in Landscape Painting Foreshortening Exercises Other Examples Key Takeaways What Is…
Joaquín Sorolla – Luscious Brushwork and Seductive Color
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…
