A Return to the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House

Kimberly and I returned to the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House this week. There were more paintings on display than the last time we visited in 2013, and many were hung in better locations for easier viewing.

Each one is inspirational. Nicolai Fechin was a truly incredible painter who avoided the pitfalls of tricks and gimmicks in his work, letting the texture of his brushstrokes speak loudly. Click through the photos below for more information about each one.

Nicolai Fechin, "Manicure Lady" (oil on canvas, 29"x27", 1917)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

This painting was the highlight of the visit for me. So much texture and yet the composition holds together beautifully. So many energetic strokes that effortlessly state so much. One could break this apart into a number of different paintings, and all would be a masterpiece. Just look at the expertly painted still life in the upper left.

Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

A close up of the face. No blending of strokes, just shapes of values and colors painted side by side without any worry about the differing textures.
 

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

A further closeup. Especially of note is the eye. No attempt to paint all the detail that is unnecessary to suggest the form.

Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Upon first viewing, I didn't even notice the scissors as I was so taken with the shapes of the hands. The outer shapes are more important than the details of the fingers.

Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Here's a close-up of the still life from the upper left. It could stand on its own as a painting. Notice the varying colors within the strokes, which suggests the swiftness with which Fechin painted. His brush picked up various colors from his palette at the same time.

Nicolai Fechin, "Birches [Aspens]" (oil on canvas, 14.5"x9.5", before 1923)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

This is a piece that I had not seen before. So simple, and yet so much depth. It is painted on a piece of unstretched canvas.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

In this closeup, you can see how Fechin was unconcerned with covering every bit of his surface. The raw canvas shows through on the edges of the trees. 

Nicolai Fechin, "Eya in Peasant Blouse" (oil on canvas, 24"x20", 1933)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 This portrait has a wonderful variation of thick and thin paint.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Notice the thicker paint on the face, where Fechin spent most of his time.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

The hands become a mix of thick and thin, although you can see raw canvas coming through around them.
 

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Sometimes Fechin allows the initial washes of paint to remain. If it's the right value and color, no need to mess with it further.
 

Nicolai Fechin, "Le Portrait de Ulle Kitaeve" (oil on linen, 35.5"x30", 1912)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Eya in Judo Gi" (oil on canvas, 26"x20", ca.1940's)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

 Gotta love the way the paint texture turns the form above the eye. 

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

 The paint texture is just as important to the form as the subtle value and color changes.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Eya with Cat" (oil on canvas, 24"x20")
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Photo by Patrick Saunders Fine Arts.

Great textures combined with vivid color create so much interest in the dress.
 

Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 The cat could have easily distracted from Eya's face, but it's so subtly painted, it is not even noticeable at first glance. 

Nicolai Fechin, "General MacArthur" (oil on canvas, 24"x20.25")
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

 Even commissioned portraits were painted in such a way that the face is handled no differently than the rest of the painting.

Nicolai Fechin, "Alexandra on the Volga" (oil on canvas, 32"x27", 1912)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Alexandra with Coral Beads" (oil on canvas, 26"x23", 1910)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Arroyo Hondo Mountains" (oil on canvas, 15"x24.5")
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Russian Singer with Fan" (oil on canvas, 48"x33.5", ca. 1923-24)
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Walter Clark" (oil on canvas, 47"x38.75")
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Nicolai Fechin, "Bearded Man" (Lithograph, 15"x11")
Photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Floral Workshop - Lighthouse ArtCenter

Florida artists, I'm teaching a three-day floral workshop at the Lighthouse ArtCenter the week before I participate in their 6th Annual Plein Air Festival.

This class is open to everyone. I can get you started in painting, or take you to the next level, and florals are the perfect subject to create paintings filled with expressive brushwork.

Class size is limited, so register now to secure your spot for this March 5th - 7th workshop: 

http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Lighthouse-Art-Center-Floral-Workshop

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2018. 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.

Richeson75 International Figure/Portrait 2018 Competition

My thanks to Jack Richeson & Co. for selecting "Día de los Muertos" (oil on linen, 12"x16") as a finalist in the Richeson75 International Figure/Portrait 2018 Competition.

The painting will be on display at the Richeson School of Art & Gallery, October 24th - December 15th.

Painting and reference photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

Floral Painting Workshop - Rockport Center for the Arts

Texas artists, I’m teaching a floral painting workshop next January in Rockport, Texas, sponsored by the Rockport Center for the Arts.

I might sound like a broken record on this, but it's true: whether you are a beginner or more advanced, florals are a perfect subject for adding energy to all of your paintings. 

Come paint with me and learn about choosing a subject, composition, values, color temperature, simplification, how to start and when to stop. Each day of my January 15th - 17th workshop will include a full demonstration, followed by opportunities to create multiple paintings with frequent one-on-one instruction. 

Register now to secure your spot:
http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Rockport-Floral-Workshop

Pet Portrait - Angel

My finished portrait of "Angel" (oil on linen, 16"x20"). 

There were two big challenges for me on this one. I had to carefully capture the subtle changes within her white coat, making it more about temperature than value. I also had to be sure that such a light colored subject integrated into the background. The key to that was avoiding a lot of hard edges.

Reference and painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

First Brush of Spring Painting Workshop

Indiana artists, I'm teaching a painting workshop hosted by the Hoosier Salon Patrons Association and Fine Art Galleries next April at their 20th Annual First Brush of Spring event in New Harmony, Indiana.

Come explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography with me. Learn to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach.

Class size is limited, so register soon to secure your spot:

http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-First-Brush-of-Spring-Workshop

The Artist Cove Painting Workshop

Florida artists, I’m teaching another painting workshop next March at The Artist Cove in Panama City March 19th - 21st.

Do you want to learn to paint absolutely anything? 

I teach the same approach for painting any subject, from the most simple to the complex. This class is open to beginners as well as advanced painters. I can get you started in painting, or take you to the next level.

Class size is limited so that everyone gets plenty of one-on-one instruction, so register now to secure your spot:

http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Artists-Cove-Workshop

Pet Portrait - Betty

For #ThrowbackThursday, a portrait of my sweet Betty girl, my constant studio companion and sometimes muse.

Here she is back in 2009, lounging on her favorite rug in our Brooklyn apartment, waiting patiently for me to take a painting break, which meant playing ball in the park with her brother Barney.

"Betty" (oil on canvas, 30"x40"). Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

Pet Portrait In Progress - Angel

Working on a challenging pet portrait. Lots of subtle changes in the whites. 

Angel was an American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Such a gorgeous girl. Those blue eyes. That face.

Tybee Island, Georgia Painting Workshops

Georgia artists, come paint with me on beautiful Tybee Island, Georgia next February.

I'm teaching two workshops sponsored by The Tybee Tourist next year. The first one has already sold out, but the second class, February 5th - 7th, still has space available.

Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, I can teach you to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. Each day will begin with a short lecture and full demonstration painting, followed by one-on-one instruction.

Class size is limited to 15, so register now to secure your spot: 
http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Tybee-Island-Workshop