Eucalpytus Trees at Los Osos

Announcement: Don't miss out! Only a few weeks left to sign up for my upcoming workshop on February 9,10 at the Booth Musuem of Western Art, in Cartersville, GA.  It should be a great time.
(details in my blog of 12/8/12)

Above painting is a close up 'subsection' of a painting from last fall's San Luis Obsipo's plein air festival. (the original is below for reference).

A few things might be of interest.
When looking around for subject matter, I'm often initially impressed by large scale scenes, and often can overlook smaller, more intimate scene possibilities within them. This is a pretty good example. I think the subsection view holds up well as a composition, and probably would have taken less time to paint. (one never knows though). This issue is probably common to many plein air painters, yet there's some who have a real knack for finding those more intimate scenes right off the bat.

This closer up view also seems to pull one into the painting a little more and linger more on the brush strokes and abstract, loose, qualities (so I would hope, anyway).  Maybe next time I'm near this location, I'll try the smaller view. I like both pretty well, though.
Although there's a little thing that bugs me about it, which I somehow overlooked. I won't tell you what it is, and it's not a big deal. Now, you probably wonder what it is.

By the way, Eucalyptus trees are mostly a west coast phenomenon, (and other parts of the world, like Australia).  They're rather expressive and colorful trees, and are a real draw for painters. And Koala bears.

Just wondering

....this is a painting of Yosemite valley I posted at least a year ago.....was just thinking about how it might look now, in winter; how much snow might be around, and how great it would be to be there painting. I think I'll check out the park's internet webcam.

New Year / DK Gallery Show / Workshop

Hello and Happy New Year!

...just a few words about upcoming events....

First of all, be sure to drop by the DK Gallery this Friday night (1/4/13) for the opening reception for gallery aritist Lance Carlson's exhibit, a show which will also feature the 'Boys of Winter' exhibit, which features DK's other male artists. Hoorah!  I will have several new large pieces there, so hope you can come by and say hello, and enjoy the usual elegant 'soiree' atmosphere; or at least try to catch the remaining show during the month of January.

Next, I invite oil painters out there to consider my soon approaching February workshop (2/9,10) at the great Booth Museum of Western Art, in nearby Cartersville, GA.  The details can be found on my 12/8 post, below.  It should be a very worthwhile and challenging time. Hope to see you there. Please feel free to contact me if any questions.

My Monday class at Art School/Sandy Springs is currently full. If interested in taking the next class session,  it should be starting again in early to mid March, and I'll let you know the details on this blog as soon as I know the exact dates.

I also am available for private study from time to time, so feel free to contact me if questions on that.

Lastly, here's a few comments I sometimes throw out during my classes; specifically, analogies between the sport of Golf and Oil Painting instruction.  I used to play a fair amount of golf and took away some interesting and reasonable observations. Perhaps they may be of general interest:

1) Golfers start at the tee with a driver,  then proceed with fairway woods and long irons, then short irons, wedges, and finally a putter. Likewise, when painting, start with big brushes, not worrying about edges and details much, and work your way down to smaller brushes for finalizing things.  Use of small brushes too early on usually leads to an overly detailed and fussy looking painting.

2) In golf and in painting, usually a minimum of strokes is best.
( an odd thing......in golf ,  the phrase, 'under par', is good; yet in painting, or even our everyday health,  'under par' doesn't sound good, does it? ...wonder why the different usage?...oh well)

3) In golf, it's the skills, experience, and knowledge of the game that create good results, more so than the specific implements and supplies. Any golfer knows, that while tempting, buying an expensive set of clubs,  or expensive golf balls, or wearing designer golf clothing makes very little difference. It's the same in painting. Don't think buying the most expensive brushes, paints, easel, or canvas will make a real big difference.  Rather, concentrate on the skills, observation and knowledge of painting.
One of the most mysterious and largely unknown legends of golf, a curious fellow named Count Yogi, used to play incredible golf sometimes just using roughly hewn sticks for clubs.

4) Be patient. I used to play golf with some guys that were very impatient and showed terrible tempers when they played poorly.  I remember them getting angry and depressed, making everyone around them walk on eggshells, litterly smashing clubs in the ground after poor shots, and worse.  While these extremes don't usually show up in painting, there will indeed be occasions where you feel very frustrated. But what's good is, these are the moments when you're most likely to learn something, so try to seize on that moment, rather than be depressed.

5) tough news sometimes, but natural talent or inclination does have something to do with success in golf and in painting. We don't really know our potential or what amount of practice and work might get us to a goal or perhaps leave us short. We might never qualify for the Masters tournament, or, similiarly, have our paintings win top prizes. So, be dedicated, try your best, be patient and reasonable, and just enjoy the wonderful time you spend painting, (or golfing).

Next up.....analogies between painting and pizza.....(just kidding....hmm.. I'm hungry all of a sudden....)

adios for now