In Progress - Western Art Portrait Painting

I'm working on my largest painting to date. Here's an in progress detail. The final piece will feature multiple figures and other elements that I'm excited to share soon.

In Progress • Oil on Linen • 36" x 60"

Painting and reference photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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 - "Making Time" by John Moyers

Last week's #MuseumTourTuesday, featured a painting by John Moyers, and this week I'd like to share a drawing by the same artist. This piece is also featured in the "Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America" exhibit currently on view at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

I love how the horse and rider come together as one figure, but what I admire most about the drawing is the use of quick fluid strokes. This suggests the frenetic movement of the subject. The barely rendered back leg of the horse enhances this action, while also adding depth and atmosphere.

"Making Time" • John Moyers • Dry Brush Ink on Paper • 26" x 14" • 2002

Drawing photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

Judge of Awards - Plein Air Painters of New Mexico 14th Annual National Juried Members Exhibition

New Mexico artist friends, I am honored to have been asked to be the Judge of Awards for the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico’s 14th National Juried Members Exhibition this fall.

The exhibition’s opening reception will be on October 28th at the Wild Sage Gallery in Taos. I will also do a painting demonstration during the event. Really looking forward to returning to this beautiful part of the country.

 

"A Window On Bentley's Backyard” • Oil on Linen • 18” x 24" • Private Collection

• Winner, Best in Show, 2017 Plein Air Richmond

• Cover, Southwest Art Magazine, September 2018

• Featured, Plein Air Magazine, June 2018

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

Portrait Study - Open Model Session

Last night's portrait sketch at a Coppini Academy of Fine Art open model session. The tilt of the model’s head and the turn of her eyes gave her an angelic look.

“Lily Portrait Study” • Oil on Linen • 12" x 16" • 2 Hours

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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 - "Sundown" by John Moyers

For this week's #MuseumTourTuesday, here is one of my favorite paintings from the "Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America" exhibit at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

Artist John Moyers nails design and color in this piece. The graphic pattern of the blanket creates an interesting contrast with the organic nature of the horse and landscape below, yet the two areas are connected by their movement in and out of the sunlight. Notice how the colors in the top area of the painting all shift toward a warmer temperature, enhancing the sense of the setting sun, while the lower half of the horse and the landscape fade together into cooler colors.

There are many more great paintings in this show, which runs through September 5th.

"Sundown" • John Moyers • Oil on Canvas • 40" x 40" • 1999

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

June 2022 Art Newsletter - Making the Most of Your Tools: Brushes

Like most endeavors, good painting involves using the right tools.

Sign up for my latest art newsletter on how to choose the right paint brushes for you: http://bit.ly/PSFA-Newsletter-Sign-up

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

Spring Florals - Patrick Saunders Fine Arts Online Art Gallery

The last day of spring is less than a week away, and some of my newest florals inspired by the season are now available for purchase through my online art gallery. Each piece comes framed, and shipping is included in the continental U.S.

Click here to see all of my available work:
http://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Online-Art-Gallery

"Paper Lantern" • 9" x 12" • Oil on Linen • Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com

 

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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 - "Return at Night" by Frank Tenney Johnson

Last week, I shared a rare watercolor by artist Frank Tenney Johnson, so for this week's #MuseumTourTuesday let's take a look at one of his more traditional oil paintings, also featured in the "Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America" exhibit at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

This piece features an excellent contrast in both colors and textures. The textural paint qualities of the rocks and figure stand in stark contrast to the smooth paint of the sky, and yet the two areas are connected by the small spot of orange used as a compliment to the blue of the sky. Also of note is that there are very few sharp edges in the painting. Notice how the legs of the horse almost disappear into the background. To direct the eye, the artist uses value contrast, as in the case of the white of the horse versus the deep dark of the shadows, to push our attention to the horse and rider.

This is just one of many great paintings in the show, and I'll share a few more in the weeks to come. The exhibition runs through September 5th.

"Return at Night" • Frank Tenney Johnson • Oil on Canvas
• 24" x 30" • 1938

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

ONLY TWO SPOTS LEFT - North Shore Arts Association Painting Workshop

Massachusetts artist friends, there are only three spots left in my painting workshop this fall at the North Shore Arts Association.

Click here to reserve your spot:
https://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Gloucester-Workshop

Join me October 10th - 12th in Gloucester to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct observation and photography. I can teach you to paint any subject, from the most simple to complex, with one approach. My class is highly tailored for each individual, so beginners as well as advanced artists are welcome.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

Portrait Study - Open Model Session

Here is last night's portrait study from a Coppini Academy open model session. The model's haircut and my low angle point of view made for an interesting and challenging study.

"Jared, Portrait Study" • Oil on Linen • 12" x 16" • 1.5 Hours

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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 - "Untitled [Cowboy on Horse]" by Frank Tenney Johnson

Today's #MuseumTourTuesday features a rare watercolor by western artist Frank Tenney Johnson that Kimberly and I saw last week at the the "Sons of Charlie Russell: Cowboy Artists of America" exhibit at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

While I am very familiar with Johnson's works in oil, I had never seen a watercolor by this artist before. I was immediately struck by his use of the medium. This watercolor is less about broad washes of contrasting value and more about color. The drawing is impeccable, and the subtleties in the coat of the horse are strikingly similar to Johnson’s oil painting work.

While this piece alone makes visiting the show worthwhile, I'll be sharing more in the weeks to come. If you can, go see this exhibition. Nothing beats seeing work like this in person.

"Untitled [Cowboy on Horse]" • Frank Tenney Johnson
• Watercolor on Paper • Undated

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

FILLING FAST - Still Life Painting Workshop - Telfair Museums

Georgia artist friends, my still life painting workshop this fall at the Telfair Museums' Jepson Center is filling fast, so register now to secure your spot.

Click here for more information, and to sign up:
https://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Telfair-Workshop

Join me September 16th - 18th in Savannah to learn about choosing a subject, composition, values, color temperature, simplification, how to start, and when to stop. The painted still life tells a story through the composition and the elements represented, requiring a balance of spontaneity and accuracy, making it a perfect subject to practice adding energy and excitement to all your paintings.

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 still life set-ups in the studio. My classes are highly tailored for each individual, so beginners as well as advanced artists are welcome.

“Late Afternoon” • Oil on Canvas • 22” x 24” • 1994  • Private Collection

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.

Dog Painting - "Fort Funston"

Here's a #ThrowbackThursday piece from 2015 that makes me smile every time I see it. Paintings aren't just images, they are often a record of personal experiences. This one recalls one of my favorite places in San Francisco.

Every weekend, Kimberly and I would go to Fort Funston with our two Keeshound mixes, Barney and Betty, where they could run along the beach and sand dunes, get lost in the trees, and even wander through abandoned WWII bunkers. They absolutely loved it, and so did all of the other dogs they met along the way. Around every corner and over every hill, there seemed to be a canine meet and greet. The joy on all of their faces is one of my favorite memories. 

“Fort Funston” • 12" x 16" • Oil on Canvas • Private Collection

Reference and painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts.

© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Patrick Saunders Fine Arts, 2022. 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.