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. Key Facts and Ideas Las Meninas has been the focus of scrupulous research and commentary. It has taken me hours to filter through…
Hue – The Ultimate Guide for Artists
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 From Munsell’s 1905 Pamphlet What Does Hue Mean?…
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. John Constable, The Hay Wain, 1821 Key Facts and Ideas Here are some of the key facts and ideas about the painting: It was originally…
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
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 still apply; the main difference between the mediums is the way you apply the paint. If you…
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
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 artist. The questions and his answers are below, along with some of his beautiful paintings: Josh Clare,…
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…
How to Paint Mist, Fog, Smoke, and Other Transient Effects
In this post, I provide you with some guidance on how to paint mist, fog, smoke, and other transient effects. These effects are typically challenging to capture on a flat surface due to their elusive and fleeting nature. Many artists seem to be either too timid with their approach, or too bold. I cover the following…
A Closer Look at The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner
In this post, I take a closer look at The Fighting Temeraire by Joseph Mallord William Turner. It is one of those interesting paintings where the more I look, the more I seem to uncover. J.M.W. Turner, The Fighting Temeraire, 1838 Key Facts and Ideas Here are some of the key facts and ideas about the…
