Patrick Saunders

If you want to learn about handling edges in a painting, you can't go wrong by studying this piece by Nicolai Fechin. Almost every edge is a softer, lost or broken edge, with a few exceptions, such as the brim of the hat. Notice, however, that Fechin does not blend or feather the paint together to achieve this softness. It is thick paint where brushstrokes scumble back and forth across one another. This gives the paint application a feeling of confidence and spontaneity.

"Portrait of My Father"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 72 x 62 cm
• Private Collection

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #russianpainting #russianart #russianartist #nicolaifechin #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #figurativepainting #MuseumTourTuesday

1 day ago | [YT] | 4

Patrick Saunders

My thanks to a new collector who purchased "La Catrina" this week.

Traditional Catrina makeup is quite common around San Antonio for Día de los Muertos. I always find it incredibly festive. At its core, Catrina makeup is a reminder of the impermanence of life. It serves as a “memento mori” or a symbol of mortality, encouraging us to appreciate the present and cherish our time with loved ones.

"La Catrina"
• Oil on Linen
• 14” x 18"
• Private Collection

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #portraitpainting #figurativeart #representationalart #realistart #DiaDeLosMuertos #westernart #lacatrina #catrinamakeup #catrinas

6 days ago | [YT] | 9

Patrick Saunders

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a piece by John Singer Sargent from the permanent collection of the ‪@artsmia‬. This is another work that I was lucky enough to view in person last summer at the "Sargent and Paris" exhibition at the ‪@metmuseum‬.

This piece has a decidedly modern composition, feeling as though it is a photographic snapshot. While the child is the first point of interest, with his face brightly lit by the candles, Charlotte Dubray pulls our eyes back to the center of the canvas. She is the most carefully rendered of the three figures. Paul-Albert, meanwhile, is left undefined, almost as if he was quickly moving and blurred by a slow camera exposure.

"The Birthday Party" (Fête Familiale)
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Canvas
• 1885
• 24" x 29”

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #saundersfinearts #artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #representationalart #representationalartist #representationalpainting #representationalrealism #realism #realistart #americanpainting #americanart #americanartist #johnsingersargent

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 7

Patrick Saunders

My portrait demonstration Monday on the last day of my second workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. When painting a portrait, it's important to commit to one thing first - in this case, the eye on the left - and relate everything else to that single element. By always working outwards from one spot, you avoid cascading drawing errors and greatly improve accuracy.

“Horse Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 14” x 18”
• 2 Hours
• SOLD

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #artinstruction #arteducation #oilpainting #equineart #equinepainting #animalportrait

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

Patrick Saunders

Here is another excellent piece by Russian painter Nicolai Fechin from the permanent collection of the ‪@FredJonesJrMuseumArt‬. This is one that I have wanted to view in person for many years, and it did not disappoint.

Everything in this painting conveys the strength and modernity of the sitter. The position of her hands, the forward movement of her position in the chair, and the pointing of the foot directly out of frame suggest her power and directness. At the time, smoking was considered taboo for women in Russian society. This also suggests her break with tradition. The very application of the paint tops it all off. As always, Fechin's brushwork is confident and lively, but I find that the background of horizontal and vertical strokes especially takes this piece into the modern age.

"Woman with Cigarette"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 1917

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#artreview #artdiscussion #artcritique #arttalk #russianpainting #russianart #russianartist #nicolaifechin #fjjma #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #figurativepainting #MuseumTourTuesday

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

Patrick Saunders

I found some peonies to paint for my Sunday morning demonstration on day two of my second workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. Establish the large masses first and slowly break them down into smaller shapes.

“Peonies Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 9” x 12”
• 2 Hours

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

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 8

Patrick Saunders

My two-hour landscape demonstration Saturday morning on day one of my second painting workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. When painting a complicated scene like this, break it down into just a few large shapes first, and then find the smaller ones that matter within.

“Bodega Bay"
• Landscape Study
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• 2 hours

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #oilpainting #landscapepainting #representationalart #realistart #bodegabay #california #spudpoint

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 7

Patrick Saunders

My pet portrait demonstration Friday morning on the final day of my first painting workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. This one was all about jumping directly into the painting, without the need for any kind preliminary drawing. The drawing happens at the same time, and the results can be just as accurate, and often more exciting.

“Pebbles”
• Oil on Linen
• 14” x 18”
• 2 Hours

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #artinstruction #arteducation #oilpainting #catart #catpainting #petportrait

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 8

Patrick Saunders

My floral demonstration from life Thursday morning on day two of my first painting workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. Bright colors never look bright enough without the deep darks.

“Lilies Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 12”
• 2 Hours
• SOLD

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

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

Patrick Saunders

My two-hour landscape demonstration Wednesday morning on day one of my first painting workshop for the Associated Women in the Arts. This demo, a scene from Second Beach in Washington State, was all about simplifying a complicated scene.

“Coastal Sentinels”
• Landscape Study
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• 2 hours
• SOLD

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #paintingworkshop #artworkshop #oilpainting #landscapepainting #representationalart #realistart #secondbeach #washingtonstate

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 7