New Demonstration, Class Study, "Ready to Eat"

"Ready to Eat"

Oil on Linen, 9x12"

I painted a demonstration for my oil painting class yesterday at the Capital Art Center. I decided to post the progression of the work, since I had to finish it up from a photo at home today.....

I blocked in the shapes and values FIRST. This has proved to be the best way to achieve success for me. Keep it simple, 3 to 4 values and shapes, a happy composition.

I added more saturated color. I was able to compare the value of the under painting to the colors that i could "see". I went for the rich shadow colors of the grapes first.

At this point you can see that I continued to add more color to the grapes and worked some on the plate. I adjusted the perspective of the plate also.

I'm using more paint! I added the grape in the shadow. I worked in the "light" areas of the painting and tried not to get to much into the idea of painting little grapes. I redefined the shadow areas and put more color in to light of the table.

The plate is looking better. I adjust the shadows on the grapes themselves. I added more light.....

I 'dusted' the painting - "used my paper towel to swipe at it very softly". I like the way it makes the edges softer and makes the light bounce around.....

Here you see I added the stems and just a few more highlights, and a touch of blue in the shadows on the grapes.

New Painting in "Paris" Series....

"The Well Dressed Street Man", Paris Series

I sneaked a photo of a man on the streets of Paris last summer. He just looked so different than the people you might see on the streets of San Francisco or New York. My thought was "wow, even street people in Paris dress well!" If I didn't see his belongings sitting there in a basket I wouldn't have believed that he lived on the street.....

I was so embarrassed to take the photo that it is a "moving photo" which was good for the painting because it left me with very little detail. I might make a few adjustments now after seeing the photo. What do you think?

This is a picture of my son Joseph Tate who is also an artist, and a very good one. Above is some of his artwork.

I'm just sharing a few photos from last weeks Art and Wine Festival for Women Realtors in Old Sacramento. It was a fun event.

contact Joe at : josephtateart.com

916-601-9612

Paint Mobile

Today I went to Livermore to pick up a car load of oil paint. It was better than paying $225. for shipping about a 100 miles. I bought a lot of paint. I've decided I want to have it available to my students for their convenience. Classic Artist Oils is very good paint for the price, although the prices have gone up considerably. I ordered enough to get a discount that I can pass on to the class.
I've been painting a little and socializing a lot, but that is what I have felt lead to do lately. God calls me. I respond. At least I am trying to do His will. He is in charge of EVERYTHING!
Here is a quick bad photo of the replica I'm demonstrating for the class. I'll try to finish it tomorrow and take photos of the class paintings tomorrow and post them for you.
God Bless!

Birth of the Impressionism Tour

Last week my class and I traveled to San Francisco to the de Young Museum to view the "Birth of Impressionism" Tour. It was the first time for everybody, except myself, to see these works from the Musee' D'Orsay in Paris. I visited the exhibit last July while in France and wanted to share the experience.
Everybody loved it. On our way home we decided to paint from some of the prints of Monet, Degas, Renoir, and others.
It became an opportunity today to teach the value of learning to see "values". We did a small value study in only 3 to 5 values, then after our lunch break, began the larger works. Everybody did great and I'm looking forward to getting some photos up soon.
If you haven't visited the exhibit, it is very worthwhile! We plan to go in September for the Post Impressionists Show at the same museum.

ART ON THE BOULEVARD

Friday night turned out to be a lot of fun at Hang It Up Gallery in the Town Center, El Dorado Hills. I was having so much fun I forgot to take pictures!

I ended up finishing the demonstration before I went home. Here is a quick shot.