Have you ever noticed a shimmering off the curvature of a drop of dew on a leaf in the early morning sunlight? Did you stop in awe to concentrate on it? Did it change hues as you moved about? Were … Continue reading
When selecting certain drawing styles, you can use several pencil choices in as many ways as a painter uses a brush. For example, a lively linear approach allows every pencil stroke to show. If you wish to have a smooth … Continue reading
“There are just so many notes in music and just so many colors, but it’s the beautiful combination that makes the masterpiece.”~Charles Hawthorne Exercise 1: I like to think of a color wheel to not be a wheel at all, … Continue reading
An artist’s path to simplicity is often wrought with complications. The more I try to think of an interesting and simple composition, the more it trends toward a complicated one. Usually, these become quick sketches set aside to become a … Continue reading
Here is a good question for artists: why is it so hard to be simple, and not complicated? I’ve found the more I’ve aged, the more complicated I’ve become. It’s just the way it is. Is it because I desire … Continue reading
As Artists, we sometimes lose the ability to paint as deliberately as normal when confronted with something appearing difficult or confusing, something we’re unable to interpret as shapes of color. For example, think of sunlight shining through a crystal vase. … Continue reading
When considering taxes for artists, there are differences in the tax treatment of art businesses and art hobbies. One particular difference is that on an individual return businesses losses can offset other income, but hobbies can not. Therefore it is … Continue reading
Does your artistic voice constantly nag at you? Do you struggle with your composition as you attempt to make a statement that seems to remain somewhere in front of you and elusive? It often happens to me as I constantly … Continue reading
In Richard Burton’s painting, The Red Truck, the slushy melting snow on the road and the reflections seen in the puddles are the “icing on the cake.” To add a further dimension to your painting,include any reflections that should be … Continue reading
When a viewer looks at a painting, mostly what they see are color shapes on a two dimensional surface. Fortunately, color comes with three qualities: hues, value, and intensity. Most artists artist desire to represent their subject as a by … Continue reading
