Painting in Milan

the sketch for "Italian campagna"



the painting (of same)



A composition study for a painting on the risorgimento...influenced by Milanese style.



oil sketch for "Garibaldi"

Paiting in Rome -- Part 2

Establishing the "macchia" takes concentration and attention to spatial relationships.



painting directly on white canvas from the color pool enhances color clarity and allows for more freedom of expression and color mixing on the fly.



As per usual, looking for strong 2-value contrasts simplifies the task while you sketching, especially in unfamiliar locations.



Keeping a sketchpad for small thumbnails is a good way to set down notes for paintings to be completed (or at least started) in the studio.

Here I have been very fortunate to have a studio based in the Gianicolo. Here is a picture of our apartment building followed by a painting made from th studio window.





That last one was on canvas paper. Do you remember me discussing "painting as discovery" ?? Well here it just happened -- using poppy oil alone without any thinner. The paint is very fluid and dries fast. Who would have thunk it?

Painting in Roma Al Fresco

Painting for me has always been based on "discovery." Especially when I have been traveling and away from the paint brush for several weeks, I "forget" how to paint, in a sense, and have to rev my engine for a while before I can accomplish anything.

The "remembering" process always, at least for me, begins with the macchia and establishing patterns, usually drawing with the brush.


"Macchia Uno"


"Macchia Due"

Here at the American Academy, it is customary to leave a small self-portrait for exhibit at the bar. I have been working pretty casually on one for the past week. I have some changes to make but here is what I have so far:



As you can see, it needs some color which I intend to add after it dries a bit. I am using terpentine and poppy oil as an experiment. The local art store had poppy oil which I have wanted to use for some time now. So I went for it. It takes a little getting used to. It is thicker than linseed oil but shows brushstrokes a bit more dramatically.

As per usual, my interests focus on the "veduta" or distant view. More on this soon.