Field Study

oil/canvas, 11x14 inches

This is a quick study done with my Impressionist class last week.  The aim of the exercise was to create a tonal gradation in the sky with varying tones of blue and to get the sense of trees and fields with differing tones and hues of green. 

Impressionist Painting Tutorial

Painting is a dynamic relationship between the mind, hand and materials. Words are not a natural part of this process.  As a studio instructor, I am always searching for ways to make painting more accessible to people.  This is a short video explaining the painting process used to make the painting Mes Deux Macs.  I have added a speech to text audio voice (not mine) to briefly explain the different steps.  Which do you prefer, a video of this sort or static images with written explanations?

Mes Deux Macs....My Two Macs

11x 14, oil/canvas

I had to give this painting its title in French because of the double entente.  In France, the word Mac is slang for guy or boyfriend.  In Quebec the term is chum. The rest is up to you...

Seriously though, sometimes its a good idea to go back to the basics and paint something which is deceivingly simple, like a couple of apples.  It can be a humbling experience because they are always a challenge.  Here is a detail:

When I was a kid, macs were my favorite apples, in fact they were the only apples I would eat.  When my daughter was little, she only ate delicious apples.  I wonder where she got that from!