Paint & Clay

In the final part of the conversation between David, Colley, and Gabor, the three dive into the contemporary painters they admire and Colley asks David about some of the specific techniques he uses while painting.

About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997. Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles. 

Continuing the conversation from last episode, Gabor, Colley, and David discuss how they feel inspired on the field, what music they listen to when they paint, and the importance of developing your drawing skills.

About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997.

Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles. 

It was our treat to record an insightful discussion between Gabor, Colley Whisson, and acclaimed British watercolour and oil painter, David Curtis. This conversation is broken up into three parts, the first of which is recorded here where the three consider the joys of painting outdoors and the benefits of sharing your work on the internet.

About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997.

Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles. 

Not all oil painters are the cleanest when they get out into the field and paint. Matt shares with you some tips about how to organize and keep your brushes so you can get the best results on the canvas.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

One of the largest issues that Matt sees his students struggle with is perspective, specifically finding the horizon line.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

What is likeness? How do you achieve it? Simon Kogan recounts and experiment he did with his class where he distorted a photograph to accentuate certain features, demonstrating that creating an artistic portrait is not merely recording the facial features accurately.

About the Artist: Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, [Simon Kogan] has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work - monumental to miniature - reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the archetypal and renders an ethereal quality highly resonant with the viewer. A Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, Simon Kogan has long shared his artistic passion through the teaching of sculpture, painting, anatomy and drawing in the U.S. and abroad.

Today's topic is intent. If you have no master plan or purpose behind your painting, then you may find improving your work difficult. Randy discusses with Gabor what inspires him and how he allows his intent to shape his work.

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

As artists we are always learning, growing, and experimenting. In this episode, Randy discusses how exploring different types of brushes unlocked more of his creativity as a painter.

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

After a recent visit to the Sargent in Spain exhibition in San Francisco, Randy was struck by how often Sargent would copy other artists in order to better himself. He reflects on how this simple exercise can better every artist.

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

For nearly 30 years Randy Sexton has been teaching workshops and has surrounded himself with a community of artists, which has proven tremendously beneficial in his career. He finds that in community, he would learn more from his peers than he had in art school.

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

Matt Smith jokes that when he retires as a professional painter, he will become a full time plein air painter so he can spend all his time doing what he loves. Check out this episode to get some of his tips for new (and veteran) outdoor painters.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

Sometimes paintings "paint themselves" and other times painting can become laborious. The question then becomes: will you give up or keep going?

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

Often times in class, Matt sees his students struggle to design their paintings because it causes them to deviate from copying the photo. But there are rarely perfect scenes found in nature, so following the foundational principles becomes essential to adapting a photographic reference for painting.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

Colley Whisson recounts the time that someone once said to him, "You know what I love about your work? Your peaceful areas." At first he didn't understand what the person meant, but now he not only understands, he expounds upon the importance this idea. 

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

Many beginners think in terms of objects and figures instead of thinking in terms of shapes. But seeing a painting as a collection of shapes can allow you to orchestrate the viewers attention.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

Imagine your favorite food. Now Imagine that you had to eat it every night. Eventually what you once loved will become at best something you find boring and at worst something you despise. In the same way, unless artists mix up their subject matter, they run the risk of becoming worn out and may become rusty.  

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

So often as a teacher, Colley sees his students face the the temptation to add more visual information in the hopes of improving their painting. But these are the wrong sorts of "details" to focus on when painting, and can actually serve as a distraction from the aspects of painting we should be considering. 

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

Is white actually a color or is it merely a modifier? Tune in to this week's episode with Skip Whitcomb, who teaches a course with us on practical approaches to understanding color and color harmony, if you want to learn more.

About the Artist: An accomplished outdoor painter, Whitcomb has received numerous awards for his landscape paintings in oil and pastel, his work resides in major public and private collections.  He has had several one-man shows and participated in numerous gallery invitational and museum exhibitions throughout the country. Graduated Art Center College of Design. “Mood and feeling are more important with Whitcomb than visual reference, though all of his landscapes he paints are compelling places,” says one museum curator.  “The detail of the physical world is subdued in response to the spiritual one.”  Whitcomb says, “Once you internalize the language of painting you see the world differently.  It never leaves you.  The veil of rational order is lifted and what hangs in the air are sensations of painted possibilities.  On good days, some would call it poetry.”

In college, Randy took four semesters of figuring drawing; a practice that not only shifted his focus from sculpting to painting, but also shapes everything he works on. 

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.”

Sometimes accomplished artists struggle looking back at their early work. But looking at looking at previous pieces has its benefits, including giving you an appreciation for how far you've come.

About the Artist: Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, as he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. He began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator. Choosing a ‘style’ was not difficult, as Andy was always inspired by the watercolor paintings of British artists Trevor Chamberlain, David Curtis, Ed Seago and Edward Wesson, among others. He found himself attempting to capture the landscape with the same economy of brushstroke, taking advantage of the luminosity of watercolors done in just a few washes. In addition, he was impressed with the way those artists seemed to capture everyday scenes in such a way that revealed a hidden beauty, subjects that many would simply pass by.

We all know that composition is integral in good painting, but where do edges fit into that? For Colley, the concept of edges boils down to one thing: drawing in and hooking the viewer. 

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

From her studio in Taos, Laura Robb discusses why she prefers natural diffused light with Gabor.

About the Artist: Robb took her first steps to becoming an artist while still in high school by attending Art Student’s Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduation she moved to New York City to continue her education under Michael Aviano and upon returning to Oklahoma received critiques from Richard Schmid. Today she paints in a beautiful north light studio designed and built for her in Taos, New Mexico and this has also been her home for over 30 years.

In this fascinating episode for painters and sculptors alike, Simon discuses how he has been inspired by the drawings and sculptures of the Old Masters, and how he incorporates those concepts that into his own art. 

About the Artist: Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, [Simon Kogan] has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work - monumental to miniature - reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the archetypal and renders an ethereal quality highly resonant with the viewer. A Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, Simon Kogan has long shared his artistic passion through the teaching of sculpture, painting, anatomy and drawing in the U.S. and abroad.

Is the old adage, “color gets all the credit and value does all the work” actually true? Tune into this conversation between Gabor and Skip Whitcomb to find out.

About the Artist: An accomplished outdoor painter, Whitcomb has received numerous awards for his landscape paintings in oil and pastel, his work resides in major public and private collections.  He has had several one-man shows and participated in numerous gallery invitational and museum exhibitions throughout the country. Graduated Art Center College of Design. “Mood and feeling are more important with Whitcomb than visual reference, though all of his landscapes he paints are compelling places,” says one museum curator.  “The detail of the physical world is subdued in response to the spiritual one.”  Whitcomb says, “Once you internalize the language of painting you see the world differently.  It never leaves you.  The veil of rational order is lifted and what hangs in the air are sensations of painted possibilities.  On good days, some would call it poetry.”

Many of our episodes tend to center around theoretical and technical advice for artists. However, in this episode Gábor gets into the nitty gritty of the practical considerations (gear, prep, clothing, etc.) necessary for the landscape painters who want to brave the cold or snow.

A common problem that Gábor sees in the work of students is that their shadows are too dark. In this episode, he offers practical tips on how to remedy this issue. 

Every time Matt Smith goes out to paint, he runs through the foundational principle of painting: Drawing, Value, Design, and Color. Here he and Gabor discuss the merit of each principle and the necessity of painting with each principle in mind. For more of Matt's perspective on color, see his previous episode on The Reality of Color.  

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

In this episode, Randy Sexton recalls his experience with pencil drawing and how that has shaped his painting. 

Of the foundational principles of painting, Matt Smith claims that color, while being the most emotional, is the least important of the principles. Tune in to this week's episode to hear his reasoning.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

Andy often gets asked questions from students about the foreground. How much information should be put in or how much detail should be included? Here he lays out some guiding principles for artists to consider. 

About the Artist: Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, as he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. He began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator. Choosing a ‘style’ was not difficult, as Andy was always inspired by the watercolor paintings of British artists Trevor Chamberlain, David Curtis, Ed Seago and Edward Wesson, among others. He found himself attempting to capture the landscape with the same economy of brushstroke, taking advantage of the luminosity of watercolors done in just a few washes. In addition, he was impressed with the way those artists seemed to capture everyday scenes in such a way that revealed a hidden beauty, subjects that many would simply pass by.

Randy walks Gabor through his development over the years as an artist: where he started, how he's changed, and what he's interested in now. You never know where your journey with art may take you until you try something new!

Calling all watercolorists! If you have ever had questions regarding masking (liquid frisket), then this episode is for you: tune in to hear Andy share his thoughts with Gabor on the subject. 

About the Artist: Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, as he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. He began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator. Choosing a ‘style’ was not difficult, as Andy was always inspired by the watercolor paintings of British artists Trevor Chamberlain, David Curtis, Ed Seago and Edward Wesson, among others. He found himself attempting to capture the landscape with the same economy of brushstroke, taking advantage of the luminosity of watercolors done in just a few washes. In addition, he was impressed with the way those artists seemed to capture everyday scenes in such a way that revealed a hidden beauty, subjects that many would simply pass by.

Most artists don’t have the luxury of having people who work for them, so it’s up to them to handle their own shipping, marketing, etc. In this episode, Randy Sexton discusses how he as a professional artist manages, organizes, and priorities his time in the studio. 

About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting is a simple sentence in an ongoing story that will take a lifetime to unfold. The tale is a compilation of images that reflect the magic of life itself and the mysteries of light, color, and shape as I respond to the world around me. Painting has enabled me to be more observant and appreciative of the beauty and richness in everyday life.” 

We are back on the Paint & Clay Podcast with a more controversial episode for you where watercolorist Andy Evansen shares all his thoughts on the use of Opaque paint! 

About the Artist: Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, as he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. He began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator. Choosing a ‘style’ was not difficult, as Andy was always inspired by the watercolor paintings of British artists Trevor Chamberlain, David Curtis, Ed Seago and Edward Wesson, among others. He found himself attempting to capture the landscape with the same economy of brushstroke, taking advantage of the luminosity of watercolors done in just a few washes. In addition, he was impressed with the way those artists seemed to capture everyday scenes in such a way that revealed a hidden beauty, subjects that many would simply pass by.

Have you thought about dabbling in pastels, but are unsure where to start? Well this episode is for you! Gabor and Lorenzo Chavez discuss the rising popularity of the medium and how learning about color palettes actually drew Lorenzo towards his love of pastels.

About the Artist: Lorenzo Chavez's first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local landscape and the art history in New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint the American West and Southwest. Through the years, while searching for subject matter, he realized there are many similarities throughout the Rockies. The deep blue of the vaulting sky, majestic cloud formations, rabbit brush, chamisa, pinon, pine and juniper, the willows that line the stream banks, the granite in the mountain ranges, aspens and the endless seas of grasses are continuing inspirations.

Taking criticism about your work is never easy, but according to Colley Whisson, if you want to improve your art, it is necessary. Tune into this week's episode to listen to a discussion about why we need to hear the bad news. 

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

Behind every great athlete are thousands of hours of practice, preparation, and training. Painting and sculpting also require practice in order to grow, and that requires time, which can be frustrating to the new artist. Tune into this episode to listen to Gabor and Lorenzo Chavez offer their thoughts and stories on this topic. 

About the Artist: Lorenzo Chavez's first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local landscape and the art history in New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint the American West and Southwest. Through the years, while searching for subject matter, he realized there are many similarities throughout the Rockies. The deep blue of the vaulting sky, majestic cloud formations, rabbit brush, chamisa, pinon, pine and juniper, the willows that line the stream banks, the granite in the mountain ranges, aspens and the endless seas of grasses are continuing inspirations.

Australian artist Colley Whisson and Gabor discuss how you can make the viewer feel like they are "in the scene" of your painting. 

About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while still maintaining a realistic image.  I am deeply honoured to be able to regularly hold exhibitions, tutoring appointments, judging and demonstrations in Australia and abroad.  To carry the tag as quoted "one of Australia’s finest Impressionist painters" is a great personal achievement."

The Paint & Clay Podcast is back and today we have a special guest in the studio: Colorado artist Lorenzo Chavez! In this episode, Lorenzo and Gabor offer you a road map to simplifying the subject(s) of your painting. 

About the Artist: Lorenzo Chavez's first inspirations and foundation as a young artist were formed by the local landscape and the art history in New Mexico. Lorenzo now makes his home in Parker, Colorado and uses this location as a base to travel and paint the American West and Southwest. Through the years, while searching for subject matter, he realized there are many similarities throughout the Rockies. The deep blue of the vaulting sky, majestic cloud formations, rabbit brush, chamisa, pinon, pine and juniper, the willows that line the stream banks, the granite in the mountain ranges, aspens and the endless seas of grasses are continuing inspirations.

In this episode, Eric offers painters three key tips for simplifying their work.

About the Artist: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life.
Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished.

Design, or what some artists refer to as composition, is one of the most important aspects of a good painting. Eric Jacobsen and Gabor talk through how painting by design must be something intentional, not accidental.

About the Artist: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life.
Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished.

In this episode, artist Eric Jacobsen and Gabor go over how you can really enjoy the loose application of paint. 

About the Artist: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life.
Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished.

Sculpting from life obviously has its benefits, but by offering tips that have helped him over the years, Simon proves to Gabor that sculpting from photographs can be equally advantageous. 

About the Artist: Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, [Simon Kogan] has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work - monumental to miniature - reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the archetypal and renders an ethereal quality highly resonant with the viewer. A Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, Simon Kogan has long shared his artistic passion through the teaching of sculpture, painting, anatomy and drawing in the U.S. and abroad.

Colorado artist Skip Whitcomb discusses the necessity of abstract composition which underlies all good painting.

About the Artist: An accomplished outdoor painter, Whitcomb has received numerous awards for his landscape paintings in oil and pastel, his work resides in major public and private collections.  He has had several one-man shows and participated in numerous gallery invitational and museum exhibitions throughout the country. Graduated Art Center College of Design. “Mood and feeling are more important with Whitcomb than visual reference, though all of his landscapes he paints are compelling places,” says one museum curator.  “The detail of the physical world is subdued in response to the spiritual one.”  Whitcomb says, “Once you internalize the language of painting you see the world differently.  It never leaves you.  The veil of rational order is lifted and what hangs in the air are sensations of painted possibilities.  On good days, some would call it poetry.”

Why is it important to lift up certain elements while playing down others? In this episode Matt Smith dives into the difference between active and passive areas of a scene and why it is important to consolidate and highlight rather than to directly render what is in font of you.

About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel.

In this episode sculptor Simon Kogan reminiscences on how he got into carving wood sculptures and offers some tips for anyone who is curious about doing the same. 

About the Artist: Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, [Simon Kogan] has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work - monumental to miniature - reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the archetypal and renders an ethereal quality highly resonant with the viewer. A Fellow of the National Sculpture Society, Simon Kogan has long shared his artistic passion through the teaching of sculpture, painting, anatomy and drawing in the U.S. and abroad.

We all use photographs in the studio as references for our paintings, but photos can often distort the scene. In this episode, Skip Whitcomb and Gabor go over the key principles of amending camera distortion so that you can get the most out of your reference photos. 

About the Artist: An accomplished outdoor painter, Whitcomb has received numerous awards for his landscape paintings in oil and pastel, his work resides in major public and private collections.  He has had several one-man shows and participated in numerous gallery invitational and museum exhibitions throughout the country. Graduated Art Center College of Design. “Mood and feeling are more important with Whitcomb than visual reference, though all of his landscapes he paints are compelling places,” says one museum curator.  “The detail of the physical world is subdued in response to the spiritual one.”  Whitcomb says, “Once you internalize the language of painting you see the world differently.  It never leaves you.  The veil of rational order is lifted and what hangs in the air are sensations of painted possibilities.  On good days, some would call it poetry.”