Merry Christmas to all!
"Holiday Star" • Oil on Linen • 9"x12" |
Reference and painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts
Merry Christmas to all!
"Holiday Star" • Oil on Linen • 9"x12" |
Reference and painting photos by Saunders Fine Arts
Guanyin Bodhisattva (Avalokiteshvara)
It may look effortless, but science has proven that even master artists make changes throughout their process.
Kimberly and I were finally able to visit the San Antonio Art League & Museum this past week. While only a portion of the collection is on view at any given time, the work displayed does not disappoint. This painting by Herb Dunton, now considered one of the jewels of the league's collection, was submitted to the 1928 San Antonio Competitive Exhibition, and surprisingly won only an honorable mention.
The work of artist Kathy Sosa, currently at the San Antonio Art League & Museum as part of their 2021 Invitational show.
Georgia artist friends, my painting workshops at the Booth Western Art Museum’s Booth Art Academy next spring are filling fast, so sign up now
to secure your spot.
My Painting Without Borders class is on May 1st - 3rd, 2022, and my Dynamic Floral in Oils workshop is on May 4th - 6th.
Click on either link below for more information, and to register:
https://bit.ly/Patrick-
https://bit.ly/Patrick-
I’m
really looking forward to returning to the Booth. It’s a premier
teaching facility, and I want to thank Kent Mullinax and the entire
staff in advance for all of their hard work in making the academy such a
first-class art education destination. - Patrick Saunders
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.
For this week's #MuseumTourTuesday, here is another great piece from the McNay Art Museum's collection.
William Merritt Chase created a number of portraits of his eldest daughter Alice. This one clearly demonstrates the artist's skill in simplification. This is especially noticeable in the eyes. There's almost nothing to them. Notice how the dark pupil of the eye and the line of the eyelid are one shape.
Your choice of paint is the most important decision regarding art materials, and all brands are definitely not equal.
Sign up for my latest
newsletter on how the right paint can not only enhance the color in your
paintings, but give you more control during the entire process. - Patrick Saunders
http://bit.ly/PSFA-Newsletter-
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.
It was a pleasure to be able to paint a couple of quick studies at the Coppini Fine Arts Academy's open model sessions this week.
I'm working on a new series of florals for an upcoming show in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, here's one of my favorite roses for #ThrowbackThursday.
It was great to be back at the Briscoe Western Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas this past weekend. One of the pieces that struck me most on this visit was this excellent painting by American artist John Moyers.
In honor of all who've served, wishing you a Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you for your service.
This past weekend, during one of my workshops, I was asked who I considered to be my favorite floral painters. While there are many, one of my top choices is definitely Maria Oakey Dewing. I've featured her work in a previous #MuseumTourTuesday post, but not this specific painting. This piece is part of the collection of the Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, New Hampshire.
My pet portrait demonstration painting this morning on day three of my latest painting workshop at the Coppini Academy. - Patrick Saunders
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“Orange Tabby Cat Study” • 12" x 16" • Oil on Linen • 1.5 Hours • Available soon at www.PatrickSaunders.com |
My floral demonstration painting from life this morning on day two of my latest painting workshop at the Coppini Academy. - Patrick Saunders
My demonstration painting of Mission San Jose this morning on day one of my workshop at the Coppini Academy of Fine Art.
The holidays are almost upon us, and if you have a gift list, consider giving the gift of art this year to family and friends.
Click here to browse my online gallery of available paintings, as well as fine art prints and cards of my sold work: http://bit.ly/Patrick-
I know it’s still early, but let me be one of the first to wish you and yours a very merry holiday season! - Patrick Saunders
© Patrick & Kimberly Saunders, 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, and/or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or video, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Today's #MuseumTourTuesday features a painting at The Art Institute of Chicago by French artist Gaston La Touche.
It's a dreamlike painting, depicting a penitential pilgrimage, where
the light comes from both natural twilight and candlelight. What I
especially love about the painting is the way in which the figures
combine into one form, except of the woman on the horse. It almost
appears as if she is riding through a field of flowers. - Patrick Saunders
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"Pardon in Brittany" • Gaston La Touche • Oil on Canvas • 100.5 x 110.5 cm • 1896 |
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.
Some artists find floral painting intimidating because flowers are relatively complex subjects. You can easily get lost, and end up with something that, in the immortal words of one of my painting mentors, looks like "wadded up toilet paper."
Texas artist friends, my January painting workshop at the Ellis County Art Association is filling fast, so sign up now to secure your spot.
This piece from the Stedelijk Museum is one of a series of 14 works that Dutch artist George Hendrik Breitner
painted for his "Girl In Kimono" series from 1893 to 1896. The model is
sixteen-year-old Geesje Kwak, who posed for almost all of the
compositions in either a red, white or gray kimono.
It's a
beautiful painting, striking in its use of rich reds and luscious
overlapping patterns. The graphic design of these Japanese fabrics
clearly fascinated the artist.
Today the painting is considered
an icon of "Japonisme," the influence of Japanese art on western art
following the forced reopening of trade with Japan in 1858. In its day,
the series was not as popular as the artist's landscape work, created
both en plein air and through the use of reference photos, which
Breitner was already known for. You can view some of these works, which I
wrote about in a previous #MuseumTourTuesday post, here:
https://bit.ly/patrick-saunders-art-review-breitner
I
find the change in the critical acceptance of these works interesting.
While Breitner's landscapes document the contemporary conditions of the
streets and harbors of Amsterdam through direct observation, the kimono
series is far more trendy and staged. At the time, the paintings may
have been seen as a sort of pop culture response, whereas today they are
more of a historical record of the influence of Japanese culture on
European painting. - Patrick Saunders
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"The Red Kimono" • George Hendrik Breitner • Oil on Canvas • 77 x 101.5cm • 1894 |
Georgia artist friends, I will be returning to the Booth Western Art Museum’s Booth Art Academy next spring for two painting workshops.
West Coast artist friends, I’m pleased to announce that I will be teaching a painting workshop in Sonoma County next spring.
Class size is limited, so click here for more information, and to sign up: https://bit.ly/Patrick-Saunders-Petaluma-Workshop
Join me March 4th - 6th at the Sky Ranch Studio in Petaluma, California
to explore the essential techniques for painting from direct
observation. I can teach you 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. Artists will
learn about composition, value, texture, color temperature and accuracy
in paint application.
Each day will begin with a short lecture
and full demonstration, followed by one-on-one instruction. My class is
highly tailored for each individual, so beginners as well as experienced
painters are welcome. I will demonstrate in oil paint, but artists are
welcome to use acrylic and pastels. - Patrick Saunders
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.
I have a beautifully rendered painting to share for #MuseumTourTuesday by Swedish artist Henrik Nordenberg. Much of the artist's work is in private collections, but numerous pieces can be viewed online.
I've got some new products to try out!
Thank you to Williamsburg Handmade Oil Colors and Golden Artist Colors for sponsoring my award win at the 30th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition.
I'm particularly excited about the Titanium Oil Ground, as I've heard great things. - Patrick Saunders
For #throwbackthursday, here's a painting that gets me into the spirit of fall.
This
piece is now available at the Olmsted Gallery. My thanks to Lillian
Kirbo Ansley and Mary Ferguson for inviting me to be in their new online
gallery. - Patrick Saunders
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"Pumpkins & Pothos" • Oil on Linen • 12" x 16" • Available at https://www.olmstedgallery. |
Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts.
© Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.Today's #MuseumTourTuesday features a painting in a private collection, and I consider it such an amazing piece that I feel the need to share my admiration. It's a painting by Nicolai Fechin. Yes, I know, I post a lot of Fechin's work, but it's always for good reason.
Here's a detail of a larger piece currently on the easel. I'm slowly finding my way through all of these shapes. - Patrick Saunders
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In Progress • Oil on Linen • Crop of a 24"x30" |
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, 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.
Jilly
just couldn't wait to pose. Every time we turned around, she had
positioned herself for a perfectly composed photo. What a smile she has.
She's a natural model.
We particularly loved the way she lounged
on the welcome mat of her home. Everything about Jilly conveys the
warmth that we felt during this visit. She and her sister Leche, whose
portrait I previously shared, were excited to meet us, and made us feel
welcome from the moment we arrived.
Kimberly and I were actually
only there to photograph Leche for a portrait commission, but Jilly was
not about to let us leave without getting in on the action and
attention. So, her humans decided they better get a portrait of Jilly
too. - Patrick Saunders
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"Jilly" • Oil on Linen • 9" x 12" • Private Collection |
Reference and painting photos by Kimberly at Saunders Fine Arts.
©
Patrick and Kimberly Saunders, Saunders Fine Arts.
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.
Edisto Beach is so chill, even the laughing gulls are relaxed, gently hovering in the air from time to time, hoping you might share some food with them.
© Patrick & Kimberly Saunders, 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, and/or to Kimberly Saunders for photographs and/or video, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.