A New Blog - Oil Painting Tips

Beginning this week, I'm starting a new blog to focus on lessons learned at the easel as well as the 8 years I've taught.  I hope you will follow me and comment.   Happy Painting.

Oldie but Goodie SOLD

"Stand Tall, Study"

9x12  Oil on Panel

$250   NOW $200

Digging through some older pieces & discovered a favorite of mine.  I always have a stack of panels of unfinished or didn't quite make the cut" paintings to serve as underpaintings for new pieces.  Somehow this got buried in the wrong pile.  My discovery could turn into a good deal for someone.  

Studies

"Afternoon Stroll"

5x7  Oil on museum quality panel

$95 + shipping

This is another study that I'm doing in prep for larger pieces.  I always run into the dilemma of losing my initial excitement of a painting by doing a study but when I go big, it's important that the plan is set.  I can then just  enjoy the freedom of big brushes and piles of paint.  Happy Spring.

Beach Time -SOLD

"Beach Time"

5x10 Oil on Linen Panel

$125

Seeking some beach time but alas, it will have to be the 2d variety for now.   

Struggling with color mixing,brushwork or want to take your art to the next level?  I have a couple openings for private lessons for May.  A few private lessons can help you work through those frustrating days at the easel.  If you are interested, here's class information link. 

http://kelleysanford.blogspot.com/p/new-fall-classes.html.

Greens Galore SOLD

"Knee Deep"

4x8  Oil on unstretched canvas

$85 - SOLD

This was a demo for my student who has all the pieces of the puzzle and is trying to put it all together.  I follow the same process for each painting.  Start with my sketch which if it has "character", then I move onto premixing my palette.  Premixing allows me to ensure harmony of values and color before I proceed to apply  paint.  By the time I'm ready to put paint to canvas, I've (hopefully) eliminated any major issues and can concentration on enjoying and applying the paint.  Students tend to jump to the application of paint too fast and then struggle trying to "pull" the painting together.  I was like that to, once upon a time.  But having a closet full of bad paintings taught me to slow down, think each step through and success followed.  I've learned to fall in love with each step of the process.  The seemingly effortless brushstrokes, that so many of students want, are mostly calculated brushstrokes.  When you know that you have the right value, temperature and saturation, then all you have to concentration on is the actual placement of the stroke.  Patience is a virtue but it also produces good art.  

Missing Florida

"Waterfront View"

5x7  Oil on Canvas Panel

$95

I lived in Florida (both Tampa & St. Augustine) for several years.  I find myself missing it very much.   Missing the more laid back life or maybe it wasn't the laid back life but the ability to escape at any moment by simply looking out my window and see the beautiful waters and sky.  Immediate stress relieve without medicine or alcohol.  Although a drink in hand was always nice. 

When to stop?

"First Cast"

6x12 Oil on Linen Panel

$125

My heart beat a little faster when I thought about putting another brushstroke on this painting.  My brain tells me I could put 1, 10 or 40 more strokes on this piece but would it say anything more than what is already said?   This is the question for every artist...Am I done yet?