Patrick Saunders

My thanks to a San Antonio collector for purchasing one of my favorite landscape paintings. I was really happy to see it go home with a fellow artist.

“Western Slope"
• Oil on Linen
• 18” x 24”
• Private Collection

#patricksaundersfinearts #landscapepainting #floralpainting #oilpainting #representationalart #realistart #contemporarypainting

2 days ago | [YT] | 7

Patrick Saunders

My latest painting might strike a chord with gardeners. Kimberly has been diligently working on the landscaping around our house, and this view through our dining room window struck me with its wild yet perfectly designed beauty. Everything she's planted has come together to create a rich tapestry of color.

Painting a scene like this can be really challenging. It's important to not think in terms of individual flowers, of which there are too many to count, but rather swaths of color that weave in and out of each other.

“Wildscape”
• Oil on Linen
• 24” x 24”
• Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com

Painting and reference photos by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #oilpainting #floralart #floralpainting #cenizo #esperanza #prideofbarbados #representationalart #realistart #landscapepainting

4 days ago | [YT] | 7

Patrick Saunders

This piece by American artist E. Martin Hennings hits on a number of levels. You can feel the cold of the snow thanks to those blues and lavenders in the shadows and the dark mountains beyond, but the contrasting orange of the buildings and even the whites in the snow convey that wonderful sense of warmth from the sun. The horses are depicted with simple, yet accurate shapes, with that bright orange edge to their silhouettes giving them form and depth.

Born in Penns Grove, New Jersey in 1886, Hennings studied at the ‪@schooloftheartinstitute‬ of Chicago and the Academy of Fine Arts Munich.

"Winter in New Mexico"
• E. Martin Hennings
• Oil on Canvas
• 25.25" x 30.25"
• c. 1925
• Permanent collection of the ‪@DenverArtMuseum‬

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #americanart #emartinhennings #denverartmuseum #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #landscapepainting #MuseumTourTuesday

6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 7

Patrick Saunders

My demonstration this morning on the last day of my painting workshop for the Hill Country Council for the Arts. Accuracy in drawing is key in any portrait, whether it's a person or an animal.

"Happy Dog Study"
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 2 Hours

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #arteducation #oilpainting #animalpainting #petportrait #dogportrait #dog #hillcountrycouncilforthearts

1 week ago | [YT] | 8

Patrick Saunders

My floral demonstration from life this morning on day two of my painting workshop at the Hill Country Council for the arts. Never be afraid to push darks further than you think you need. Darker areas reveal the lights and the drama.

“Dancing Daisies Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 12”
• 1 Hour, 45 Minutes
• SOLD

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #artinstruction #arteducation #oilpainting #floralart #floralpainting #gerberadaisies #hillcountrycouncilforthearts

1 week ago | [YT] | 11

Patrick Saunders

My 80-minute landscape demonstration this morning on the first day of my painting workshop at the Hill Country Council for the Arts. Today’s demo, a scene from a ranch we visited in Bosque County, Texas, was all about the connection between value and color temperature. In many cases, color temperature can work harder than value contrast.

“Storm Rollin’ In”
• Landscape Study
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x16"
• 80 Minutes
• SOLD

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #oilpainting #landscapepainting #bosquecountytexas #representationalart #realistart #hillcountrycouncilforthearts

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 12

Patrick Saunders

This week, many of us can relate to the feeling that this painting by American artist Willard Metcalf expresses. Here, Metcalf uses the slightest color and value shifts to suggest the atmospheric effects of a snowy day. You can feel the cold of the scene.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Metcalf studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, before attending the Académie Julian, Paris.

"The Winter's Festival"
• Willard Leroy Metcalf
• Oil on Canvas
• 26" x 29"
• 1913
• Permanent Collection of the ‪@FAMSF‬

#artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #americanpainting #americanart #americanartist #willardmetcalf #deyoungmuseum #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #americanimpressionism #realistart #landscapepainting #MuseumTourTuesday

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 6

Patrick Saunders

Is it better to create paintings from life or from photo reference? This is a subject of seemingly perpetual debate. In my latest art newsletter, I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Sign up for it at the link in the comments section.

"Knapps Narrows Shine”
• Oil on Linen
• 14" x 18”
• Private Collection

#artnewsletter #artadvice #artinstruction #arteducation #artinspiration #arttalk #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #studiopainting

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

Patrick Saunders

Here's another rarely seen piece by Nicolai Fechin that is part of the current exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, Oklahoma. This piece was in the possession of the sitter's family until it went up for auction just this past year.

A smaller painting, it shows how much can be said with just a few well placed brushstrokes. The hand is beautifully exaggerated, adding to the playfulness expressed by the eyes.

The "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" exhibition is on view until April 5, 2026.

"Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 9.5" x 8.5"
• ca. 1925

Painting photo by Saunders Fine Arts

#artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #russianpainting #russianart #russianartist #nicolaifechin #fredjonesjrmuseumofart #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #saundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #portraitpainting #MuseumTourTuesday

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Patrick Saunders

My 90-minute portrait study last night at a ‪@coppiniacademyoffineart1440‬ open model session. I painted thicker and quicker on this one, letting the paint texture add character to the face.

“Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 90 Minutes

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #oilpainting #portraitsocietyofamerica #oilpaintersofamerica #representationalart #realistart #contemporarypainting #portrait #portraitstudy #portraitsketch #portraitpainting #portraitartist #allaprima #coppiniacademy

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 6