ArtExpertOnLine

     The guest artist for this week has had technical issues and so for several reasons this week we will look at this wonderful landscape by Vincent Van Gogh.  A week ago I wrote at length about Char's skill plein aire painting in watercolor.  Van Gogh painted out-of-doors, too, but in oil paint.  His technique was to execute the drawing and establish all color outside by thinning the paint to an "oil wash".  He would then go indoors to complete the painting with heavy layers of paint until complete to his satisfaction.    Oil paint is considerably different to work with from watercolor.  Both have their own challenges. Watercolor dries quickly and artists usually work in fine, thin layers as the paint is transparent color. Oil dries very slowly, so color can be mixed and adjusted on canvas if necessary and as needed.      Next week I will introduce you to Grace who will demonstrate her method of creating a painting....

   One of my fun memories was summer months plein aire painting with this week's artist. Since that time, I have met others who have  painted outdoors.  While Char and I set up chairs and easels in the grass, others have worked in their cars so as not to attract public attention.  I remember one specific day we were in an area park and a woman saw Char and was so curious she had to come visit and watch.   Although it was a friendly, sweet thing to do, it broke our concentration and we were unable to continue.  I know Monet painted in a boat on the river, maybe, also, to avoid the friendly public.       The painting Char has selected to share is beautifully executed.  It is perfectly balanced.  Notice how important the light post and small red tree to balance off the right side from the left.  The blue shadow, below, establishes a nice "base, off setting the heavy left top.  The curve of the road, is almost a...

   When I moved to my new home five years ago, I wanted a couple of flower paintings to brighten  up an outdoor deck for summer months.   I ended up doing a whole series in different sizes, simply because they were fun to make.   Of all of them, this one is one of the ones I enjoy the most.  It now hangs in my dining area year round.     Do not try and give a name to it, as I did not look at a specific flower. This one grew out of my imagination.  Unfortunately when I took the photo I could not remove the glare visible in the upper left, so please excuse.     I "read" several things into this image.  To me, it has a slight "Georgia O'Keeffe"  quality.  I was very pleased with the colors, especially the blues.  There was no attempt at creating foreground or background, only please shapes of color.  I have no problem with art created simply to decorate a space.  Actually, I have come t...

 Dear Readers,     I think it is time to give this blog some new life.  I am considering asking painters and artists I know to contribute work.   The work would be published just as the great masters have been, in a very positive, supportive environment.  The artist would be asked to write a few lines about the work and tell a little about themselves, with nothing confidential.  This blog would not sell work, but if the artist desired, they could include an email address so they could be contacted if readers had questions.       Old Master work would still be included, especially when no "local" painters are available or interested.        I am going to begin this week by including one of my own paintings and hope that next week a friend will consent to submitting. Pat 

    This week we are returning to one of my favorites.  We last visited this artist and this series back in September of last year.  His name is Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858).   He was a Japanese wood block artist who created a huge inventory of prints featuring Japan, his homeland.   After traveling along one of the five main roads linking the cities of Japan, Hiroshige made prints of the stations along the one called the Tokaido Road.   This road linked Shogun capital, Edo to the imperial capital, Kyoto, so it became the main travel and transport artery of old Japan. The road had 53 stations offering food, rest and lodging to travelers.   There are 55 prints in the series because Hiroshige created one for travelers starting their journey and a final for ending it.       When this series was completed, it was immediately popular.   They were very small, a mere 6 11/16 inches high by 9 inches wide,...