Category: Minilessons

A frequent issue in many paintings is that most of the artist’s attention is on the focal area, but theforeground remains unresolved and the painting suffers for it. Just as often, the foreground can attracttoo much unwarranted attention by containing

Helping to Create Depth   What do I want my viewer to feel and see when they “enter” my paintings? Usually, I’d like my viewers to linger comfortably in the space I’ve created. If there is a quality of ambiguity

Whenever inspiration shows up, it’s a mixed blessing. For me it means that I’ve been called to express my manifest existence which is always daunting. It is a calling and a challenge. I can’t not do it or ignore it.

That’s a pretty misleading title or at the very least paradoxical. This happens to suit me fine as I see the world as most interesting, challenging and magical when we don’t try to capture it in any absolute terms. Painting

Well, yes and no. I think it’s a good idea to have a star in your painting. But not all paintings need to have a strong focal point to be successful. Paintings can have multiple focal points or none at

We are going to talk what is probably the most fundamental skill that we want to have as painters – that’s the ability to accurately match colors that we observe whether that’s in landscapes, on a model or even in

Ok, no, I’m not going to get all decked out like this to paint! I’m just not!. We all have to make judgements on what we are willing to expose ourselves to and what that exposure or lack of exposure

Paintings don’t paint themselves. We have to start so skill and serendipity can meet. Painting is a magical and very paradoxical process. This suits me fine as I find the world more interesting this way. But because of this, we

Why Do We Resist?   I don’t know of any art instructor that doesn’t advocate some sort of preliminary sketch, thumbnail or notan. Maybe you do, but I don’t. We should probably stop saying to ourselves, “oh, I can do

Staying in the Game Recently I was in Colorado judging a show and conducting a three-day workshop. It was a tremendous trip; smooth travels, comfortable hotel, very generous, hospitable and organized group. The Pace Cultural and Events Center is a