Next weekend I’m again holding the popular “Loosen Up” workshop. This will be among a small group of mid-level painters wanting to add vitality and freedom to their work. Over the two days, I will demonstrate and participants will make paintings in four different subjects: a loose floral, an expressive landscape, an accurate face and an impressionistic figure. These are always great fun and motivational. Slots are still available. The cost: $225. If interested, contact San Clemente Art Supply at 949-369-6603. 

Jar of Yellow, acrylic on paper, 12×9, is typical of the kind of approach we’ll take to a floral. This little piece was done in a workshop setting and was later sold at Westervelt Fine Art in Laguna Niguel, California.

I’ll demonstrate in both acrylic and oil. Participants will use whichever of these two mediums they prefer.

Field of Dreams 2, 12×16, oil on canvas panel, is an example of the approach we’ll take to landscape. This one I painted after a return from Montana, but in fact was made from my imagination. In the workshop we will use photo reference.

Conductor, 24×24, oil on canvas, an example of correct anatomy of a face without a lot of worry about detail. I did it fairly quickly from a tiny reference photo and presented it as a gift to this guest conductor for the Dana Point Symphony. He now has it in his native Brazil.

Standing Ready, 16×12, oil on canvas. This one, half drawing, half painting, fell together during Art Walk in Laguna Beach. It’s another approach to figure painting, without a lot of worry about precision, though the anatomy still has to be right (or at least close). It’s a feel we’ll be after, something that hits the emotions.

A lot of this comes through in the talking about it, which we’ll be doing. And it’s practicing how to start a painting (very loose), and how to finish it (before it’s too tight).

The workshop is for artists with some experience but want to become more expressive. If you’re one of these, you qualify. If you know someone, feel free to forward this to them.

Saturday and Sunday, July 21, 22, 9:00-4:00, at San Clemente Art Supply, 1531 N. El Camino Real.

Again, sign up directly with San Clemente Art Supply, 949-369-6603, or directly on their website.

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PS

On another note, I’ll be present and showing some of my western subjects Thursday evening at Wildfire Mercantile in San Juan Capistrano. That’ll be 5:00-8:00, July 19, outdoors. I’ll have some originals as well as prints, including the one below. Address: 26850 Ortega Hwy Unit K, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.  Here’s their website.