FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR - IMPRESSIONIST

I will probably be criticized for this, but Renoir is not one of my favourite painters. I can't quite put my finger on it, but his style seems a bit too sweet, perhaps reminiscent of the overly romantic Baroque style. Nonetheless, I did enjoy studying his style.

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR

Born in Limoges, France, 25 February 1841

He was the son of poor tailor and at an early age he was sent to a porcelain factory to learn a trade. So he started work as a Limoges porcelain painter, and there may be Limoges plates or candy dishes out in the world that bear his brushwork.

As an artist, his early work was influenced by Gustav Courbet. He was freinds with Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederick Bazille and he even painted with Monet in Bougival in 1869. He exhibited alongside the Impressionists in 1874,1876, 1877 and 1882.

In 1870 Renoir became a Cuirassier in the Franco-Prussian War and perhaps that inspired a certain wander lust, because he painted in many locations including Bougival, Argenteuil, Cagnes, Algeria, and Italy. In 1888, he began spending his winters in the south of France.

HE EXHIBITED AT THE FIRST IMPRESSIONIST EXHIBITION

Died 3 December 1919 in Cagnes, France

ALL TIME MOST POPULAR BLOGS - SUNSET on Windpower - Painting Progression

ALL TIME 2nd MOST POPULAR BLOG
Originally published 
9th May 2013 


SUNSET 
ORIGINAL PAINTING 

8" x 6" on Windpower
To view my Gallery or purchase this painting  visit Daily Paintworks






 
Today's task for Leslie Saeta's Art marketing class is to create a new painting and take progress photos at intervals. This month I've been painting PEOPLE'S CHOICE for my online DPW Gallery but today I felt like cutting loose and doing a natural abstract. I find it quite fascinating to watch a painting change, especially an abstract.Here are 7 progress photos showing the birth of "Sunset" 

I've painted from this particular photo session before because I love the colour combinations. It was a from flight over Georgia Strait a couple of years ago. There  is something very magical about aerial photos; because we are partly above the atmosphere the colours are even more spectacular than at sea level.

This time I chose to paint "Alla Prima" which, means a wet on wet or "Bob Ross" type painting done in one sitting with no drying period in between. Because Acrylics dry so quickly they allow you to layer very soon after you have painted a section which gives a crisper, brighter look, different to Oil painting.

I could have stopped at any stage, because I like them all, but after rotating the painting and adding iridescent highlights, I knew this was it. I will try and capture the shimmering highlights in a photo tomorrow. I LOVE the result!


Image # 1 - Blocking in layer. I think this is wonderful and if I was Henri Matisse I may have put it on the side as a record and started again. I pressed on.

Image # 2 - Continuing to block in. Here I am testing which colours make the painting pop, with one eye on the original inspiration photo. I am always aware that upper layers including washes, will change the intensity and colour.
 


Image # 3 - Starting to mix colour and blend. In Oil painting it's a challenge not to create mud at this point, but with Acrylics you just have to wait a few minutes while working on a different area.


Image # 4 - Creating texture. One of the challenges with Acrylics is that they like to suck onto the substrate and flatten. If you are skilled you can create a 3D effect by layering flat surfaces. The only other ways to create depth is to use modelling paste under the paint or to mix thick gel into the paint.

Image # 5 - Thicker texture. This is where the gel comes in.

  
Image # 6 - Intensifying light with iridecent white. I find this type of paint adds a touch of mystery to a painting but it took some time to understand that in photos and from some angles it appears like a dark splodge rather than a pretty flash.


Image # 7 - Finishing with bronze/gold highlights. These are the ones you have to be particularly careful with the shapes they create.


 



I didn't set out to paint like Ruth Andre and we use different media, but the end result is somewhat reminiscent of her style. The original photo had Magenta on the bottom, but this painting works either way, or rotated 90 degrees. The portrait aspect converts "Sunset" into a completely abstract painting and makes the iridescent paint look amazing.

 













 




































Cat # 11315 Sunset
Protected Copyright 2016

FRIDAY RETROSPECTIVE - BEST OF 2013 - THE YEAR OF THE ACEO

COMMA BUTTERFLY ACEO
Original Painting by Sea Dean
2.5" x 3.5" on canvas card

To bid on or purchase this original miniature painting and view my Gallery click here. To make things simple for my patrons, all my paintings over one hundred square inches (10" x 10") are now $1 per square inch. Shipping is at cost.

To view my selection or purchase a Limited Edition ACEO go to my new shop here.

BEST OF 2013
2013 was the year of the ACEO. I had painted some ACEO original miniatures before 2013, but this was when I really went to town with them. I created 284 paintings and sold over 100 of them. One would think I am rolling in dough, but I was doing some radical marketing, so many sold for under cost. I still have a few original 2013 ACEO available to purchase and the painting above is one of them. I simply adore that energetic ethereal glow.

Many of my most popular ACEO are now available in limited editions, so if you missed buying the original, now is your chance to own a signed copy. I do not print limited editions of ACEO which are still available in the original but I do have miniature ACEO versions of my 5" x 7" paintings. 


Cat # 13139 Comma Butterfly

FRIDAY RETROSPECTIVE - PRE 2011 - JAPAN - FREE SHIPPING

JAPAN by Sea Dean

JAPAN
Original Mixed Media Exhibition piece by Sea Dean
23" x 11" on panel
FREE SHIPPING

To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks

This has always been a head turner and the star of my collection since the day it was first exhibited. I am currently setting up a new studio and need funds, so I am prepared to part with this special piece on a first come first served basis. 

I have two options for this original art work currently available. Please contact me to purchase.

1. Professionally framed (the framing cost over $200)
2. Ready to frame but framing advised

The mixed media piece is currently in a professional custom made 2" simple black wood exhibition frame. I do not recommend hanging unframed as the edge is unfinished but I could sell without.

I am happy to lay away with a $250 deposit. 
Three more installments of $250 for the unframed version or 
Four more installments of $250 for the custom framed version. 

If you love it, as I do, lets work something out.


THE BEST OF PRE-2011

Most of the work I produced prior to 2011, is in my private collection and that of members of my family. I worked in a variety of media including oil, watercolour, print, jewellery, pottery, papier mache, metal, installation, pen and ink, graphite etc. but it wasn't until 2011 that I took a serious interest in acrylic painting which is my current choice. 

Although my oil paintings are lovely, in my opinion this is the best piece that I created prior to 2011. It took many weeks design and construction and is a riveting piece worthy of any international exhibition. It The work appears fragile, but that is the secret substrate which took a lot of experimentation to master. 

Next Friday stay tuned for my 2011 Choice.

 
Pre 2011
Created many - Chosen 1

Japan

DOTTY DRESS - Fashion of the 50s

DOTTY DRESS
Original Painting by Sea Dean
7" x 5" Canvas Panel

To view my Gallery please visit Daily Paintworks

Painting a dotty dress has been on my mind for some time, so today I finally got around to it. This is a sort of 50's style dress pulled from my imagination. I would love to do a series on the era, because it was such a feminine period. Back then fashion seemed to have a lighthearted nature that appears missing in modern fashion. 

Sex in the City fashion was mainly inspired by the post war period. It was the era of tight waists and frothy dresses, large patterns, crinoline petticoats and perfect hair. In the 50's the man of the house made the decisions, the wife's place was in the home and only radical women  like Katharine Hepburn wore pants and dreamed of working in a typing pool.


Cat # 14114 Dotty Dress 

DESIGNER NEST - iPad and Painting Give-away - DAY 20 - 30 Paintings in 30 Days -

DESIGNER NEST
ORIGINAL MIXED MEDIA BY SEA DEAN
5" x 7" Canvas Panel

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

TO ENTER THE TWO GIVE-AWAYS USE BOTH BOXES AT THE END OF THIS BLOG
You must click and enter each Give-away separately because you are submitting for two different draws. Leaving a comment on this blog, tweeting, Like-ing on Facebook etc. does not enter you for the draw, you must come back to confirm what you did in the Give-away box to earn the points. The more points you accumulate until January 31st the more chances of winning. You can enter many times each day. 

The inspiration photo for this nest included some turquoise fluff which the enterprising bird had decided to decorate with. Perhaps he or she thought it would attract the sunlight and keep the eggs warm. I have painted this fluff over and over again in different shades and values, but it always looked odd.

A couple of days ago, when I was volunteer greeter at the local public gallery and trying to get some paintings cataloged and completed, a visitor commented that she loved it because it looked like sunshine. I saw what she was talking about, but it was that illusive fluff that had originally attracted me and it was that part which I wanted to get right. Then it came to me to use real natural wool and create a mixed media piece. Today I saw these beautiful feathers and the transformation was complete.

FIRST 15 - 30 PAINTINGS in 30 DAYS

Now available at Daily Paintworks From $11 and up

Cat # 13230 Designer Nest
Acrylic, Natural gathered wool, Treated natural feathers

THE GREEN COUNTRY ACEO or ATC - iPad and Painting Give-Away - Day 18 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

THE GREEN COUNTRY
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5" ACEO OR ATC

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

TO ENTER THE TWO GIVE-AWAYS USE BOTH BOXES AT THE END OF THIS BLOG
You must click and enter each Give-away separately because you are submitting for two different automatic selections. Once you have left a comment on this blog, tweeted, Like-d on Facebook etc. you must return to confirm your action in the Give-away box to earn points. The more points you accumulate the more opportunity to win. You can earn over 30 points each day and enter every day until 31 January.

This is another tweak. The painting retains its title and catalog number because the changes are minor. I warmed the foreground, added more violet to the upper sky and some brilliant blue to the central trees. The painting includes an original 2013 signature in the bottom left, which is difficult to see in the photo because it is made with bronze paint.

Over the last few days I've caught up with all my varnishing, cataloging, filing and packaging of paintings. At one point I had every surface in my tiny studio covered with miniature paintings looking beautiful in their shiny new coats. Now I feel I can attack some larger paintings which were put on the side during the holiday rush. I can't wait to finish them and make space for new ideas.





Cat # 13155 The Green Country
Blog # 365 Yay!

FOREST, EARLY SPRING MORING ACEO or ATC - iPad and Painting Give-Away - Day 17 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

FOREST, EARLY SPRING MORNING
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5" ACEO OR ATC

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

TO ENTER THE TWO GIVE-AWAYS USE BOTH BOXES AT THE END OF THIS BLOG
You must click and enter each Give-away separately because you are submitting for two different draws. Leaving a comment on this blog, tweeting, Like-ing on Facebook etc. does not enter you for the draw, you must come back to confirm what you did in the Give-away box to earn the points. The more points you accumulate until January 31st the more chances of winning. You can enter many times each day. 

Sometimes when I'm creating a painting from a challenge photo, I struggle because I see the other artist's work and think it is so awesome, that my painting looks insignificant. Often my painting sells in spite of this feeling, but when it doesn't, I'm left wondering what I could do to improve it. That was the case here. 

I quite like the composition, which cannot be changed anyway, when it's a challenge photo, but I never liked the predominance of warm blue. The problem with reflections is that if you already have too much of a colour in the subject, the reflection makes it completely overwhelming. I surmise that this is what happened here.

1. I added more icy lemon sunlight to the upper area.
2. Then some cool blues and reds to the trees.
3. I darkened the shadowy water with purple and indigo.
4. Added warm blue to the reflection of sky in the foreground. (As a rule one should paint warmer tones towards the front of a scene).
5. I dabbed some spots of reflected colour into the weeds in the foreground.
6. Finally I added my 2014 signature and voila!

I'm always trying to duplicate the beauty of soft pastels with acrylic, and I think I achieved it here.

If you love the painting, or any of my miniature ACEOs and would like a frame, I have a choice of eight different frames available. I would be happy to frame your painting free of charge., so all you pay for, is the painting, the frame and the shipping. Contact me for choices.


Cat # 13061 Forest, early spring morning

LAVENDAR FARM TWILIGHT ACEO - iPad and Painting Giveaway - 30 Paintings Day 13

LAVENDAR FARM TWILIGHT ACEO
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
4" x 4" Mini Masterpiece

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

Another look at the way the Artist's mind works with progress photos. Another tweak of an ACEO. If you loved "Bluebell Garden", it is no more, sorry! 

The original inspiration photo was a Daily Paintworks challenge. At the time I had a love affair with my violet paint and I've since decided that although it looks lovely in the tube, it dries almost grey.

1. I started by adding purple to the foreground to enhance the colour. 
2. Then I changed the central building to give it country style.
3. Still not happy, I added a conifer to shift the composition away from the center and a path to draw the eye in and add interest.
4. A touch of red on the building
5. Some orange glow here and there and I declare it done.

I learned a lot in converting this painting. I like it a lot better now, particularly the foreground colours. For me it is a tad dark, but I think that brings it into alignment with the current trend for black. 

I would be curious what you think.


Cat # 14011 Lavendar Farm Twilight ACEO

THREE LUPINES ACEO - 30 Paintings Day 11 - JANUARY GIVEAWAY

THREE LUPINS ACEO in Halogen light

THREE LUPINS V1

THREE LUPINES ACEO
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
4" x 4" Mini Masterpiece

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

SAGES ACEO

I have selected a handful of ACEO from my gallery to rework. Some merely get a tweak, a pop of colour or adding tree and others get a whole new look. The latter warrants a new name and catalog number so "Sages" have transformed into "Three Lupines".  Here is a glimpse the artistic process which turned Sages into Lupines.

1. I began with changing the background, to something less frantic. I chose light permanent blue, like a summer sky. 

2. I worked on defining the flowers. I allowed the colour to move away from blue and violet to give it more pop. 

3. I liked this version, which I will call version 1, but the flower rods looked stiff,  almost tree like, too much like a Christmas Tree I thought, which would have been fine a month ago.

PHOTO INSPIRATION

4. I started to think about Lupins and pulled up some photos of them on the internet. If I wanted these to be Lupins I had to change the point and make the flowers look more pod like. I achieved this with a round brush and gloss impasto antique white.

5. I wanted to add energy to show the flowers were alive and enjoying the sun, so I added some light cadmium to depict them interacting and "breathing" the air around them.

6. The final touches were more pods to suggest an infinite flower bed.

7. The final touch was a thin edge of Matisse Indigo to focus the viewer on the central group.  

Lupines always remind me of an English country garden, but these have the pizazz of a Chelsea Flower Show. As you can see, the finished painting is nothing like the original photo, but that's why I'm called an artist and not a copyist.

CLICK HERE FOR AUCTIONS ENDING TODAY
 - LAST OPPORTUNITY

Cat # 14008 Three Lupins ACEO

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - BARBARA HEPWORTH - SCULPTOR - GIVEAWAY - 30 Paintings Day 10

BARBARA HEPWORTH HOMAGE
PAINTING BY SEA DEAN 
From "Family of Man" by Barbara Hepworth 
4" x 4" Mini Masters
On auction at Daily Paintworks

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. 

The Mini Masters are a series where I do homage to famous Artists on their birthday by creating a work inspired by them. There are many Artists with birthdays in January. We have already visited Henri Matisse and Gerhard RIchter and here is another, sculptor Barbara Hepworth. This piece was inspired by "The Family of Man" which is a sculpture. I loved the rusty metal/copper look of the piece with verdigris aging. I have picked out some of the staves with bronze highlights. The energy lines are what took the time in this painting, they may look easy, but getting just the right effect and colour is very challenging. 

DAME BARBARA HEPWORTH DBE
Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth was born on 10 January 1903 in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire. Her father was a civil engineer, who in 1921 became County Surveyor. Barbara attended Wakefield Girls High School, then won a scholarship for Leeds School of Art, where she met Henry Moore. She won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art from 1921 and received a diploma of the Royal College of Art in 1924. She also studied for a period in Italy.

Her work exemplifies Modernism, and along with Ivon Hitchens, Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson and Naum Gabo she helped to develop British modern art (sculpture in particular). Queen Elizabeth II awarded Barbara Hepworth the DBE in 1965.

She died aged 72 in a fire at her studio in St Ives, Cornwall, UK - 20 May 1975


Cat # 14009 Barbara Hepworth Homage