"Dia de los Muertos" Portrait Painting

Happy Halloween everybody!

For #throwbackThursday, here’s one of my favorites from 2018, painted from a great photo shot by Kimberly at Saunders Fine Arts during a Dia de los Muertos parade in San Antonio, Texas. 

I loved the juxtaposition between the subject’s joyous expression and her macabre makeup.

“Dia de los Muertos” • Oil on Linen • 13”x16” • Private Collection

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

John Singer Sargent - "Portrait of Ena Wetheimer: A Vele Gonfie"

"Portrait of Ena Wetheimer: A Vele Gonfie" • John Singer Sargent • 1905 
• Oil on Canvas • 1630 x 1080 mm

This portrait by John Singer Sargent at the Tate in London makes me very happy. It's obvious from the informality of the sitter, Ena Wertheimer, that she and Sargent had become good friends. At the time, Sargent had been commissioned by the Wertheimer family to create a series of twelve portraits, and this one appears to be just for fun. 

Not only is Ena genuinely smiling, but she is wearing the uniform of the Order of the Garter of the British monarchy. At the time the Order only admitted men, apart from the queen - a playful jab at the world order. 

Look at the energy of the brushstrokes in the face. This was almost certainly painted in one session, and Sargent clearly had a lot of fun with it.

Photos by Kimberly at Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

Painting Workshop - The Centerpiece Gallery, Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina artists, I'm pleased to announce that I will be teaching a second painting workshop in your state next spring at The Centerpiece Gallery.

Join me in Raleigh, North Carolina May 6th - 8th to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography.

Class size is limited, so click here to register:  
http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Workshop-Raleigh-2020

You will learn to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. This oil and acrylics workshop is open to beginners as well as more advanced artists. If you are new to painting, I can get you started, and if you are an experienced painter, I can help you get to the next level.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

October Newsletter - Embracing Art History, Influence, and Evolution

Representational art and modern art are inseparable.

Click here to sign up for my latest newsletter on embracing art history, influence, and evolution:

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

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

2020 Floral Painting Workshop - First Brush of Spring, New Harmony, Indiana

Artist friends, I'll be back in New Harmony, Indiana this spring to teach my Dynamic Floral in Oils Workshop.

Join me April 14th - 16th, during the Hoosier Salon Patrons Association and Fine Art Galleries' First Brush of Spring Paint Out.

All levels are welcome, even if you’ve never painted florals before. My simple steps for evaluating your paintings in progress will improve not only your skills as a floral painter, but your painting abilities in general.

Come celebrate spring with me. Click on the link in this post to sign up. This class will fill quickly, so don't wait to register.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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 - Newnan, Georgia

Artist friends, my floral workshop next year in Georgia only has one spot left.

Join me January 23rd - 25th in the charming college town of Newnan, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. Escape the winter cold and come paint some flowers with me.

Click here to register.
http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Newnan-Workshop

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

2019 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational - Soft Morning at Dana Point Harbor

Just before the sun crests the hills to rise on Dana Point Harbor, the edges are soft in everything. This can make for a big challenge in painting, but can also produce some interesting effects. It’s my favorite time of day to paint.

“Soft Morning at Dana Point Harbor” • Oil on Linen • 20”x24” • Available

This painting will be available for sale tonight at the 21st Annual Laguna Plein Air Collectors Gala at Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters. 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

2019 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational - "The Light Dims on Laguna Canyon Road"

As Kimberly and I left California after the 2018 Laguna Plein Air Painters Association's #LPAPA20th, we were both struck by the glow of the eucalyptus trees along the highway to San Diego as the sun set over the ocean.

I thought about that scene all year, wanting to capture the way the light faded from top to bottom on those trees. I finally got my wish.

“The Light Dims on Laguna Canyon Road” • Oil on linen •18”x24” • Private Collection

This painting will be available for sale Saturday at the 2019 Laguna Plein Air Collectors Gala at the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. - 10/12 Update: SOLD

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.
 

2019 Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational - Nocturne Painting

Here's my nocturne painting for the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association's 21st Annual Laguna Beach, California Plein Air Painting Invitational.

I chose a popular local dining venue, 230 Forest Avenue. The mix of movement and lighting made the experience all the more exciting. This painting will be available for sale this Saturday at the 2019 Laguna Plein Air Collectors Gala at the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters. - 10/12 Update: SOLD
 

"230 Forest Ave" • Oil on Linen • 14"x18" • Private Collection

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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.

2019 Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational - Plein Talk with the Artists Panel

Artist friends, I will be one of the #LPAPA21st invitational artists on the Plein Talk with the Artists panel at the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association's annual Plein Air Invitational.

If you're in the Laguna Beach, California area, please join me and my colleagues tonight at the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters Forum Theater, where we'll discuss our artistic journeys and plein air painting experiences, and take questions from the audience.

All of you who have painted with me know I love talking about art in all forms, so I'm really looking forward to this opportunity.

© Patrick & Kimberly Saunders, Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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, and/or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or video, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
 

2019 Laguna Beach California Plein Air Painting Invitational - "Day at Dana Point" Catalog Painting

Nice to find one of my paintings while flipping through the October 2019 issue of Southwest Art Magazine. 

I did this painting of Dana Point Harbor for the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association's 21st Annual Laguna Beach, California Plein Air Painting Invitational catalogue of invited artists, and it will be available for sale this Saturday at the 2019 Laguna Plein Air Collectors Gala at the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters.

"Day at Dana Point" • Oil on Linen • 12"x16" • Available

© Patrick & Kimberly Saunders, Saunders Fine Arts, 2019. 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, and/or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or video, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.