Carlo Russo's Floral Painting Workshop at ARA

Two day painting, after attempting to paint some roses during the first two days of Carlo's workshop:

The photo of this painting is terrible. Oil on linen.

I need to paint over the summer, and the only option I had at ARA on account of my own schedule was Carlo Russo's Floral Painting Workshop. I did not think that I would enjoy painting flowers. I didn't, but I also didn't know that floral painting could be so complicated. I suppose I created a greater challenge for myself by trying to bring a rose to life for my first ever flower painting. Carlo said that roses are second in difficulty to peonies.

First day:

Second day:

Carlo is an excellent painter. I learned much, but I still do not like painting flowers. I will continue to do it though for practice.

Learning to Paint en Plein Air

When the sun is shining and the air is warm, I need to be outside. So, once again, this summer I tried to paint a landscape, but this time I had instruction from the fabulous Damon Lehrer. I have attempted en plein air before, but without much luck, skill, or natural ability. I have never been inspired by landscape paintings, except perhaps by those of the impressionists. The vibrancy of colors, the thick paint, and the atmospheres in Renoir and Van Gogh give me delight. Also, Turner's insane skies make my head spin and my heart leap. Otherwise, pastoral scenes are not my thing. I prefer to investigate interesting faces and figures.

With suggestions, assistance, and instruction from Damon, I think I have improved. During the last two weekends, we worked at the Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester. The top two paintings are from Damon's workshop.

The following shows my progression from starting from the most recent to my first, which was 5 years ago.

2017

2015

2010

Some things for me to remember:

distance 

sharp, straight lines in focus area

consistent palette (relatable)

I used oil primed linen toned with cadmium red, cadmium yellow medium, and ultramarine blue.

And I went back to QAA for figure drawing. One hour pose, charcoal on paper.