Painting Workshop - Heartland Art Club, Saint Louis, Missouri

Midwestern artist friends, my spring painting workshop at The Galleries at Heartland Art Club is already more than half full, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here for more information, and to register:

https://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-St-Louis-Painting-Workshop

Join me May 20th - 22nd in Saint Louis, Missouri to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography.

Learn to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. I will demonstrate the process of simplifying the subject and moving to finish as rapidly as possible in order to add more energy and excitement to your painting.

Each day will begin with a short lecture and full demonstration, followed by one-on-one instruction with students. My class is highly tailored for each participant, and beginners as well as advanced artists are welcome.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "The John Biscoe In Pack Ice" by Edward Seago

Wow, it's cold! I'm sure we're not in the Arctic, but this painting by British artist Edward Seago perfectly expresses how I'm feeling about being in Texas this week.

I find the composition in this piece particularly intriguing. The placement of just a small portion of the ship pushed far to the right gives a sense of the isolation the crew must have felt in comparison to the vastness of the frozen seascape.

 

Seago traveled aboard the Royal Research Ship John Biscoe in 1956 as a guest of the Duke of Edinburgh. He painted several scenes of the vessel, one of which went on to hang in the wardroom of the ship.

 

"The John Biscoe In Pack Ice" • Edward Seago • Oil on Canvas • 26" x 36"

 

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floral Painting - 2021 Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Air Festival - Tequesta, FL

With temperatures heading into the teens this weekend, I'm dreaming of warmer weather. This painting is heading to Florida for the Lighthouse ArtCenter's 8th annual Plein Air Festival.

Be sure and check out all of the work featured during the festival from March 14-20th.

 

"Pink!" • Oil on canvas • 8" x 8"

 

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floral Painting - Booth Western Art Museum - For The Love of Art 2021 Silent Auction

I donated this floral painting to the Booth Western Art Museum's For the Love of Art 2021 silent auction, and it is now available for bidding online through Hindman Auctions at the link below through February 22nd. 

“Flowing Through Flowers” • Oil on Canvas • 6”x8”

• https://hindmanauctions.com/items/10511513-falling-through-flowers

 

Art collectors, take a look at all of the art, jewelry and books available for auction, and place a bid to support the Booth museum!

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "A Tent In the Rockies" by John Singer Sargent - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, MA

Today's #MuseumTourTuesday painting is a watercolor by John Singer Sargent from the collection of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Sargent beautifully captures the translucency of the canvas fabric of the tent through the use of color temperature. Notice the warm white of the canvas inside the tent where the sun shines through versus the cool blues on the right side where the multiple layers of canvas reflect the sky color. This is similar to what happens with the petals of a flower, where the warm light enhances the interior, saturating the color of the elements within.

 

"A Tent In the Rockies" • John Singer Sargent • Watercolor on Paper • 38cm x 52cm • 1916

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floral Painting Workshop - Booth Western Art Museum's Booth Art Academy, Cartersville, Georgia

Georgia artist friends, my floral painting workshop at the Booth Western Art Museum's Booth Art Academy May 5th - 7th only has six spots left, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here to for more information and to sign up:

http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Booth-Museum-Floral-Workshop-2021

The painted floral requires a balance of spontaneity and accuracy, making it a perfect subject to practice for adding energy to all of your paintings. Learn about choosing a subject, composition, values, color temperature, simplification, how to start and when to stop. Each day will include a full demonstration followed by opportunities to create multiple paintings with frequent one-on-one instruction. We will work from both photos and cut flowers in the studio.

 

 

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Floral Painting - "Aflame"

This one was quite a challenge. Getting the color temperature and value changes just right was critical to keeping these roses from feeling too heavy.

I'm very happy with how it turned out.

 

"Aflame" • Oil on linen • 9" x 12" • Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts. 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "La Dordogne, A Chateau in Normandy, A River in Normandy" by Frits Thaulow

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features three pieces by Norwegian painter Frits Thaulow.

While Thaulow includes architecture in all three of the images shown here, it is the water that is the true star. Known specifically for his landscape paintings, the artist was a master at depicting flowing rivers.

 

"La Dordogne" • Frits Thaulow • Oil • 1904

The village in the distance is very loosely painted. It's the water that features the most realistic rendering. Its swirling waters keep your attention moving throughout the river.

 

 "A Château in Normandy" • Frits Thaulow • Oil on canvas • 82 cm x 102 cm • 1895

 

Once again, the water is the gateway into the composition with a beautiful juxtaposition between the warm reflections of the chateau and the cooler sky, leading the viewer's eye to the chateau itself.

In addition, notice the beautiful gradation of color in the trees on the left and the subtle handling of the footprints in the snow on the right.

 

"A River in Normandy" • Frits Thaulow • Oil on canvas • 1894

The river is rendered with a realist approach, featuring the bright warm blue sky reflected in the water contrasting with the cooler blue ripples and flowing right into the red reflection of the architecture. The building becomes almost whimsical by comparison with its brick pattern and more saturated color.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

January 2020 Art Newsletter - Labels and Limitations

People will always want to label your art.

It's understandable, but don't let categories define you.

Read my latest art newsletter to learn why labeling and categorizing your own work can box you into a corner.

http://bit.ly/PSFA-Newsletter-Sign-up

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Cat Portrait Painting - "Green Eyes"

Ken was a great studio cat. He often lingered around the easel as I painted, offering words of wisdom in some language that I could never understand.

Whenever I struggled with a painting, I thankfully had him to vent my frustrations to verbally, and he would usually talk right back at me. I like to think that he was completely supportive and always in agreement.

 

I miss his critiques.

 

                "Green Eyes" • Oil on linen • 6" x 8" • Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Art Review - "Minnay" by Edouard Manet - Drouot Auction House, Paris, France

It's #MuseumTourTuesday, and today's featured painting is a previously unseen work by Édouard Manet.

This energetic dog portrait was dashed off in under 20 minutes as a present for Marguerite Lathuille, during the time in which she posed for her own portrait by Manet. The painting has remained in the possession of the Lathuille family for 140 years, and will go up for auction on February 26th.

 

And what a fun portrait it is! Despite its minimalism of color and detail, it still captures the character and movement of this tiny Griffon, called Minnay, who is in dire need of a haircut. This dog is 

straight out of a Hanna Barbera cartoon! It's a perfect example of how much can be stated with a few well placed brushstrokes.

 

It can be yours for an expected auction price of at least $267,000.

 

"Minnay" • Édouard Manet • Oil on Canvas • 32.5cm x 24.5cm • 1879 

 

A special thanks to my lovely wife, Kimberly, for bringing this joyous piece to my attention.

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s authors/owners is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Patrick Saunders for painted works, or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or videos, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.