Book Recommendation: Renaissance Faces

National Gallery et al. Renaissance Faces: Van Eyck to Titian. 2008.

This fabulous book delves into the processes and procedures behind the portraits we know and love. It has several good essays recounting the interactions between models and artists in the renaissance; the problems and rewards have not changed in centuries. One of the best illustrations compares two artworks--one sketch of Charles V Hapsburg as he truly was, against a painting of him politely idealized by Titian. The difference is startling, and the text delves into the practice of idealizing the sitter. This is a great book, not only for the pleasure of looking at the interesting faces, but also for the careful research done by the authors.

Scenes from Alameda

Fog over the City, 10 x 20 inches, pastel.

This painting was done during the Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout in Alameda this July. This is one of two favorites that I did during the event. This one has the impressionist shimmer I have been working on lately, especially in the foreground water and wetland.

Barn Paintings

Jessie's Barn, Reflected, 10 x 10 inches, oil.

Turner Road Barn, with Clouds, 10 x 10 inches, oil.

Here are two paintings that I have done recently of Lodi Barns. One is done on site and the other is not.
PS Sorry for the quiet time on the blog. Life has been busy lately, and daily tasks neglected.

Sonoma Barn

Sonoma Barn, 14 x 18 inches, pastel.

Red Tractor from Sonoma

Red Tractor, 14 x 18 inches, pastel.

Paintings from Sonoma

Nothing but Blue Skies, 10 x 20 inches, pastel.

Beautiful Valley, 20 x 16 inches, oil.

Here are two paintings that I completed during the Sonoma Plein Air Festival in May. I will bring them to the Napa Valley Art Festival on Saturday, August 15.

Los Gatos Plein Air Festival

Playing in the Fountain, 12 x 16 inches, oil. 3rd place winner!

Los Gatos Garden, 9 x 12 inches, pastel.

Last weekend was the Los Gatos Plein Air Art festival--I won third place, which is very nice! The first painting was done in the town square with the kids all enjoying the water on a warm spring day.

Sonoma Plein Air

Sweet Spring Rain, 9 x 12 inches, oil.

Wine Country in the Rain, 16 x 20 inches, oil.

This week I am painting in Sonoma for the Sonoma Plein Air Festival. Since it is raining, it is time for cool and hopefully subtle colors. It will clear soon, so check back for some sunnier paintings. I enjoyed painting both of these very much, even if they are done in two different painting styles--I was joking with some artist freinds that I suffer from multiple artistic style disorder.

Delta Painting

Slow Water, 18 x 24 inches, oil.

This is a work in progress, further exploring the impressionist theme. I keep getting happier with it, so I will continue to work on it. I am learning that Monet why painted with dibs and dabs of paint; because editing and continueine from day to day is very easy--I never have to worry about melding the paint strokes together. The tackiness of the paint does not influence the painting, unlike when I am working with a palette knife, or more conventional brushstrokes and have to put an entirely new skin on a painting if I want to change something.

Open Studios this weekend!

Morning Barn, 24 x 36 inches, pastel.

Open Studios at Cubberley Studios
Building E, Studio 6

11-5 pm Saturday and Sunday
May 2 and 3

Please join 20 artists for open studios this weekend. Some of us will have workstations set up for you to try out our media. Admission is free and all are welcome. More information is available at Cubberley Studios.com