Tomorrow evening (Thursday) I’ll give a brief demo on how to start a painting.

In two weeks I’ll be giving a workshop on how to start and finish a painting.

For details about both, see below.

Meantime, here’s a look at the stages of a painting of a barn I did recently, just to give an idea of how these things sometimes go.

For the last year or so I’ve been working on barns for a client in Iowa. What they want are quick studies, all different, from photos they’ve supplied. Specific accuracy is not an issue. Here’s the first stage of one, in this case dispensing with a palette: I just put the paint directly on the “canvas.”

I used the three primaries: red, blue and yellow. Do you see the picture? It’s a barn with trees and grass.

Actually, it wasn’t canvas I used but luan plywood, treated with shellac to seal it. For this second stage I used a palette knife to smear things around and start finding my shapes. Even the silo is starting to find its place.

Next: sky and clouds. Once again I didn’t bother with a palette . . . just squirted the acrylic paint right out of the tube onto the painting. Saves the middle step.

I’m not saying I always to it this way. But it’s “a” way. The point is, if you want a painting with a “loose” look, you have to start loose . . . then tighten as you go, stopping before it’s too tight. At least that’s my approach.

Okay, now we’re getting a little more definition in the trees and the sky.

We’re getting toward the final details here . . . the roof line on the barn, the roundedness on the silo, windows, shading, and hints of other structures among the trees.

A little more detail for the clouds and I was done.  It all took about 45 minutes. If I’d wanted a more “realistic” piece I would have worked on it longer, maybe a lot longer. But I would have started the same way. It’s my approach.

Upcoming Lecture/Demo: “How to Start a Painting”

I’ll be doing a demonstration like this, though maybe of a face, at San Clemente Art Supply tomorrow evening (June 30). It’ll start promptly at 6:00. The cost is just $5.00. They’d like you to call to reserve a space: (949) 369-6603. It’ll be fun, and we’ll get a lot in in the hour and a half.

Upcoming Workshop: “Loosen Up”

Then, in two weeks I’ll be giving a full weekend workshop which will cover a lot more. And participants will be painting.  That will be all day, July 16 and 17. Cost: $225. Call the store at (949) 369-6603 to reserve a space for that too.

Address for both events: San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real.

Upcoming Shows

As a reminder, Anne will be among those featured at the summer-long Laguna Festival of Arts. That’ll be from July 5 through August 31, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Drop by and see her at booth #110.