Bucket seating for plein air painting

I noticed in a photo of David Kassan's subway demo he is using bucket seating. I never thought about it before, but it is a great idea for plein air painting because you can use the bucket first to carry your supplies and then flip it over to use as a seat.  It would be cool to create a little cushion on the top for comfort and then a fabric insert to hold/easily remove your supplies.  Maybe the insert can be zippered on top too... I have an 18" inch grape juice/wine bucket that would be perfect to try this out with!

Painting a figure composition by my teacher Max Ginsburg

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"Unemployment Line",  a work in progress by Max Ginsburg.

Here is an outline of how he begins painting a figure composition:

1. Conceptual pencil sketches.
2. Painting studies of each model.
3. Compositional pencil sketches based on the painting studies.
4. Place a one inch grid over the compositional study to be used which, in this case, is 4" x 8".
5. Stretch a canvas, 40" x 80", the same proportion as the sketch, and draw a 10" grid.
6. In charcoal approximate the position and size of the figures.
7. Paint, in a direct alla prima manner, each model as a loosely painted block in from life.  So far in this painting each model posed 3 or 4 hours.
8. When all the models and background have been blocked in the development of the forms and the composition will proceed, with the models returning for several sessions each.

Yesenia •  16" x 20" • oil on canvas • June 2012

2 week pose. Shadow coming in from the right not on actual painting. Can anyone recommend a camera that does not cause distortion for under $500-600?

    Pat • 12" x36" • oil on canvas • May 5-6 2012

Dead Roses

Life Studies - April 2012

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Riis Beach

Riis Beach, originally uploaded by amanda kavanagh.

Painting at the beach in February!

 

Riis Beach • 5x7" • oil on canvas board • February 23, 2012

Pimp my paintbox- Part 1: Intro and Razor Blade Paint Scraper

I am going to try to document all the different accessories and components used to create a compact studio for quick studies and outdoor paintings. I started with a cigar box given to me by my uncle.  This Hemingway cigar box has a 1/2" recessed lid.  For the palette I recycled glass from a 5x7" picture frame that I secured with canvas offset clips like this.  Underneath the glass is a sheet of grey-toned paper. Another option would be to paint the backside of the glass in a medium grey acrylic. To finish it off, I nailed in a couple of the wood pieces that came with the box on an angle to streamline the look.

You will need to clean up your glass palette after painting. Yes, it's true! An easy way to do that is to use a razor blade to scrape the paint right off.  I created this razor blade handle/stand combo out of polymer clay that I baked and then sanded down for a nice smooth finish.

See, nice and clean!

P.S. Right now I have heavy weight striped paper straws across the top and bottom used to transport the painting panel. I might switch to a more stable permanent solution shortly.

mini paintbox test run

5x7" quick study of Marissa. I still need to tweak this box design a bit. I want to add a ledge of some sort so I can hook my oil and turp cups to it.

Paul

Paul • 12 x16" • oil on linen • January 16, 2012

Max Ginsburg Retrospective Book

Here are 2 of my favorite paintings from the Max Ginsburg Retrospective book. I am a big fan of Max's quick sketches from life. This book has a lot of great close-ups as well.
You can see more images and info at www.ginsburgretro.com

illustration friday theme "sink"

digitally colored scanned collage
Below: chain stitch detail

Girl with the butterfly earring :)

Girl with the Butterfly Earring • approx. 11.5 x 14" • oil on cradled board • Dec. 2011

Pigeon...and the studio sink

Pigeon • 12 x 24" • oil on canvas • December 2011

Stephanie

 

    Stephanie • 8x12" • oil on cradled masonite • December 2011

Patrick

 Pat • 12 x16"  • oil on linen • November 2011

oil sketch of Pat, one of the Occupy Wall Street movement protesters.

The last painting from the Summer session

Daniel • 16 x 20" • oil on linen • August 2011

Thanks Steve for the linen canvas gift!

Back to the still life.

My folding knife, oil on wood panel

Purchase

Thanks Brooklyn Heights Blog!

I would like to thank the Brooklyn Heights Blog for mentioning my paintings in their post about The Art of Brooklyn reception.

The Art of Brooklyn Festival opens tonight!

I have 10 paintings on exhibit at the Art of Brooklyn Festival in downtown Brooklyn. The festival celebrates the art, music, and films of Brooklyn's creative community. The opening is tonight , August 20th, and runs until August 27th at the St. Francis College Theater at 180 Remsen St. , Brooklyn, NY 11201

From the website:
"THE ART OF BROOKLYN is the first festival to bring “old” and “new” Brooklyn together to celebrate the creative energy that makes our borough one of the most exciting places in the world. We embrace artists from all over New York City; helping them gain exposure for their work while giving audiences the chance to experience points of view that might not otherwise get seen. Because to us, all Brooklyns are created equal."

Ticket and schedule info can be found on the website. As a special offer all artists can purchase $5 tickets online at http://www. brownpapertickets.com/event/ 181514 and enter password: ARTIST