Blondheim Art Original Oil Landscape Evinston Florida

This Week's Ebay Painting
Click HERE
Always Type Blondheim Art into the Ebay search

8x10 inches
oil on panel
silver frame
500.00
Purchase HERE


Painters Tip

Keep It Simple Stupid

Sometimes the KISS rule is the best rule for landscape painting. Note the above painting composition. In order to create depth, it is often wise to minimize the detail in distant trees or objects. Graying and cooling down their color pushes them back but still reads as tree masses. Honing in on a few elements like the palms, minimizing detail in most of the painting and using a simple composition can create a harmony and atmospheric quality.

When painting in a small format and on location, it is especially helpful to use the KISS rule.

Blondheim Art Original Painting

Cape San Blas
Port St Joe, Florida
18x24 inches
oil on canvas
1500.00
Purchase HERE


Painters Tip

Painters need to draw. I talk to painters everyday who say "I don't like drawing, I'm a painter." I believe that drawing is the skeleton of all art. Without competent drawing skills there are all kinds of problems with perspective, figures,portraiture, architecture, animals, florals and other subjects. Drawing is very inexpensive and takes but a bit of practice every day to see huge improvement.

You can sit in front of the TV and draw for 20 minutes. Draw everything you see,including furniture, family, the dog, fruits and vegetables.

Try blind contour drawing as a warm-up.

You will need:
Pencils
Paper
Everyday Objects

What You Do:
Choose an object to draw. Pick a point on the object where the eye can begin its slow journey around the contour or edge of the object. Remember, the eye is like a snail, barely crawling as it begins its journey.

When the eye begins to move, so should the hand holding the pencil. At no time should you look at your hand as it draws. Try drawing the entire contour of the object without lifting your pencil from the paper. Practice this drawing method often and you will find your drawings looking more and more like what you are looking at.

If you are looking at the drawing, place it under a box as you draw so there is no possible way for you to see what you are drawing. Try it. Don't panic if your drawing looks nothing like the object. Practice, practice, practice.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Palms

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel

unframed

115.00 includes shipping

Purchase HERE

Artist Journal

My life is in a whirl. I have a big commission I'm trying to prepare for by doing portrait studies. Bad ones by the way, along with preparation for a wild and crazy March schedule. I'm leaving for a week of fun painting at the Wekiva River State Park near Orlando Florida, the first week of March, Then two days later I must run up to Alabama to pick up my daughter for Spring Break , coming home in the same day. Two days later I leave to be "artist in residence" for the Florida Trail Association Conference for two days. There will be large gaps in my posts during March. I don't think there will be any internet access in the state parks I'll be staying in.


Painters Tip

Preparing for important commissions.

I'm sure that some artists are talented enough to just jump in and do commissions with little preparation. I'm not that talented. I'm one of those who is a planner for everything. When I get a commission, I spend a lot of time doing preliminary drawings and painting studies, trying to figure out what I want to do and familiarize myself with my subjects first.

The first thing I do is decide what supplies I am going to need? Do I need paint? New brushes? Am I going to paint on linen or canvas? Oils or acrylics? What size will it be? Of course I have discussed all of these questions with the client to decide.

It takes a couple of weeks to get a custom made canvas and I want the best quality.

If it is a portrait, I am using photos, so I will need to get copies enlarged and also make gray scale copies so that I can do some value studies.

I use index paper taped to a hard board to do my painting studies and value studies. It is cheap and works great for oils or acrylics. I punch holes in the side and insert them into 3 ring binders. They will last a long time.

It is only after several practice paintings and value studies that I start the real painting. Then I have the confidence to do the job well. Even after having been a landscape painter for a long time, I still do this routine with landscape commissions too.

Blondheim Art Painting Exercise

8 1/2 x 11 inches
oil on index paper

To visit Linda's Web Site click HERE


Painters Tip

Now that I am on my own again and not part of the Daily Painters Group, I can show some interesting studies and exercises that may be useful for painters.

The above is an example of an exercise I give to my workshop students, and to myself. It is a brushwork exercise. It makes a pretty cool looking abstract painting too. :>) It is one of the best things I do for myself. I block off a sheet of card stock ( index Paper) into 9 blocks. It is important to keep the paint wet. For oils you can block off all of the blocks at one time because they will stay wet. For acrylic or water based mediums you will need to do one block at a time. The object is to practice wet on wet brush strokes, putting light paint on dark under painting and dark paint on light under painting, or in this case a mid- value on dark and light paint. I stress the importance of working wet on wet.

The object is to paint as cleanly as possible, leaving the under painting undisturbed and the top paint strokes as clean as possible. After the paint dries , punch holes in one end and put it in a three hole binder. When it is dry, you will be able to analyse your strokes. Looking at the exercise will tell you how much paint load it took to keep clean undisturbed strokes on top. It will tell you where you are digging into the bottom layer with the brush and when you are painting with too little paint on the brush.

Do this exercise at least once a week. Save all of the exercises and date them. After a few weeks you will start to see great improvement in your brushwork, especially for alla prima oil painting. You can do all kinds of strokes, depending on what you may be painting at any given time. For example, if you are doing floral work, practice petals, leaves and stems.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Flowers Painting

6x8 inches

acrylic on deep gallery wrap canvas, painted solid color on the sides, wired and ready to hang

300.00 includes shipping.

Purchase: HERE

Artist Journal

Yesterday I taught a Flower Workshop at my studio. I had a wonderful time and I hope the students did too. We had breakfast , painted all morning doing exercises in painting, and then worked on individual larger paintings in the afternoon. It was a terrific day, and I could see big improvement in the work by afternoon. It was wonderful to see the different, distinct styles for each painter. The above painting was my attempt in about 30 minutes to put something to canvas.

The amazing thing to see were a few painters who knew nothing about painting. They turned out very nice work indeed and they show enormous promise in their work if they will keep at it.

I am going to start working on a serious Portrait in Landscape Commission this week. I ordered a custom made canvas from one of my workshops sponsors http://www.frenchcanvas.com/ and it arrived yesterday. I love French Canvas and they make very high quality canvas and linen. They are very accommodating for any need you may have.

I will record my steps toward completion for you in my artist journal over the next few months.

Painters Tip

Work on your stamina and patience.

One of the things I notice about workshops students is that they tend to run out of steam. They enthusiastically start out in the morning but by 2 or 3 PM they have lost focus. They get bored easily with the exercises in painting and are anxious to get to "real painting" right away. What they do not understand is that the exercises, worked on diligently over a period of time, are what make good painters.

One of the things professional artists have to do is to learn to stay focused for long hours. They are prepared to work for 9 to 10 hours at a time with only a short break. The production time it takes to do 200-400 paintings a year equals long hours every day. The discipline of study to improve one’s craft takes many long hours and determination.

If you are serious about learning and painting , you must be disciplined about your work habits.

Try increasing your studio time by 15 minute increments. That is almost unnoticeable but after a period of time, you will have built up the stamina to paint much longer each day.

More on discipline tomorrow………

Linda Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Rose

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00
Purchase HERE





Artist Journal





Tomorrow I am teaching a workshop so I won't be posting again until Sunday.

I'm still doing small paintings of flowers and have gotten hooked to them. They are very challenging in that I wish to keep the loose abstract quality to them but give them enough refinement to make them recognisable. I don't want to do traditional floral painting. There are so many traditional floral painters in the world. They don't need me jumping on their wagon too. I am after the essence of the shapes and rich colors that florals give us.

I have some new art camps and workshops lined up.Linda Blondheim Art Studio Workshops


Acrylics For Beginners - April 7, 2007 Meals included 75.00 Designed for beginning painters or experienced painters who have never tried acrylics.

Fun with Fruits and Veges- July 28, 2007 Meals Included 75.00 This one will combine my skills as a former garde manger chef with painting. We will paint fruits and veges and then carve them into garnishes for dinner parties.

Composition on Location- Kanapaha Gardens- October 6, 2007 Snacks Included 65.00 We will paint on location at beautiful Kanapaha Gardens, studying the elements of design and composition.

Family Art Camp- Scheduled by Party. Bring your kids or friends for a fun painting adventure together. Meals and supplies included. All you need for this camp is yourselves. No experience in painting necessary. A fun day or half day of painting with your kids or just a group of friends.

Both Flower and Trees camps are now full, but I am starting a new list for second camps on those themes.

Design Elements in the Landscape- John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC May 20-25, 2007 Flowers and Reflections- May 26-27, 2007 www.folkschool.org

Design Elements and Composition- Gibson House Hamphill New Hampshire August 13-17, 2007
http://www.gibsonhousebb.com/

All camps can be registered for at my web site, www.lindablondheim.com or send a check to me at:

Linda Blondheim
3032 NW 161st Court
Gainesville, Florida 32609

If you have a particular area of study you are interested in, I will be happy to teach any theme except watercolor.

email: lindablondheim12@hotmail.com or lindakblondheim@aol.com

Painters Tip

Doodle a bit.

Before you start to paint, get out a scrap of cardboard or heavy paper and fool around with paint for awhile. It will loosen you up and get you in focus, taking your mind off life and problems before you begin to paint seriously. Spend this doodle time working on basic shapes of your subject, linear perspective, spacial relationships and negative space.

When you are ready to tackle your serious work, you will have an arsenal of knowledge to start the working session.

Linda Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Tree

Celon Oak Park
8x10 inches
acrylic on panel
silver frame
500.00
Purchase HERE







Painters Tip

In Depth Study

My friend Ed Terpening HERE ,master landscape painter, made a good point about studying specific parts and piece of subjects. He told me about a project he did in studying wave action.

I think this is the best approach to studying subjects. Breaking them down into small specific areas of study, really reveals their secrets.

I once had a drawing student who wanted to study lace. She felt it was so complex that she did not know what to do. I got out a pair of scissors and cut out a 4x6 inch piece and handed it to her. The light bulb went on and she proceeded to draw it very accurately. By studying a small section, she did not feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the large piece.

I am studying trees this year, and so I am gathering up limbs, leaves, and small sections of trunks to study. I will do paintings of trunks, leaves, canopies, limbs, and various tree shapes throughout the year, preparing my studies as I paint. Of course I am doing full paintings as well. By December, I should have a pretty good knowledge about painting southern trees.

Blondheim Art Original Painting Exercise

6x7 inches
acrylic on paper






Painters Tip



The above painting is another exercise I gave myself on painting roses. It was to determine the initial geometric shape to the flowers. The exercise also had pencil lines of various angles and geometric shapes which I have cropped out. I have gotten into the habit of doing these little paintings on 65-110# index paper taped to a hard board and set on the easel. It works equally well for watercolor,pencil,oils and acrylics. I then use a 3 hole punch and put the paintings into my variously themed notebooks. They are not meant to be sellable paintings, only exercises for my own benefit. They last for years, even the oil paintings. By doing these initial paintings on paper, I can make notes in the margins, make copies of them on a copy machine and make them available for my students to put in their notebooks. The index paper is very inexpensive and since they are for my own use, archival condition is not an issue.

Doing these practice paintings really helps you explore a subject and feel your way around it. There is no pressure for excellence and no need to feel you are wasting good canvas or panels.

Blondheim Art Original Flower Painting

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00
Purchase: HERE





Painters Tip


There is something special about exploring a subject. The challenge, the research, all are interesting and new. I have been exploring flowers this year in preparation for teaching floral workshops. As you know, my painting style is not traditional at all. I have been able to choose a different path for my floral work than the usual approach.




I have put together a journal/diary for the floral project and I recommend that you do one as well. I have made one for all of my students that they can add to. This type of project is ongoing. I first added some information about taking good reference photos of flowers, then a monologue about collecting wild flowers, plant materials ,bird feathers and garden related materials. From there, I included various drawing and painting exercises which I have done on heavy index paper so that I could include it in the book. After that I added a color wheel, and dictionary list of terms about color and harmony, then reference photos of flowers and lastly, glued dried flowers to colored card and inserted them into a plastic paper protector and added this to the back of my book.




Now I have an interesting and useful book about the art of flowers. I can add to it periodically because it is all in a three ring binder. I used an image of a flower panting on the cover.




You could use this for any subject and make it a small treasure to enjoy.

Blondheim Art Original Painting

8x10 inches

oil on panel

SOLD

Painters Tip

We can Help Each Other

A few months ago I tried an experiment of putting Google ads on my other blog. I never thought anything else about it. Time went by and I heard nothing from Google. Two days ago I received a nice check in the mail and was surprised and delighted. I decided this is a very good thing. I added a small ad to this blog too.

It made me realize that I can help my fellow artists and other bloggers by reading the ads on their blogs too. It only takes a moment or two to read them and knowing I am adding to their income makes me happy. Not to mention that it helps the folks who run the ads as well. Perhaps we all need to be more diligent in reading the ads on our favorite blogs and at our favorite artists sites. The more we help each other the better for all of us.

Blondheim Art Cone Flower acrylic painting

5x7 inches

acrylic on panel

unframed

115.00 includes shipping

Purchase HERE

Painter's Tip

I have been working on the Flower Workshop I am teaching next weekend and one of the assignments is to consider the possibilities of cropping as a design exercise. The painting above came from the four image exercise I did.

It has lots of possibilities and the exercise is stronger than the painting, so I will be going back to do more paintings from the exercise.

I cannot emphasise strongly enough the value of doing painting exercise for your own growth. You will get so much out of the training that you give yourself. If you study with a workshop teacher who is exercise oriented, as I am, keep the exercises to do over and over again. Your work will improve greatly.

Blondheim Art Daisy Original Painting Puzzle

6 piece original acrylic painting puzzle

10.00 includes shipping

Purchase: HERE

Painters Tip

Varnishing

Those flat, dead spots are common to almost all oil paintings, as are the occasional glossy spot. Different pigments hold different amounts of oil. It is the oil that makes the paint glossy. Think of the oil as a glue that holds the granules of pigment together. If you thin the oil with turpentine, the binding oil floats away from the surface of the pigment and drains to the bottom side, making a surface like sandpaper with its exposed granules. That's why overly thinned paint looks flat when dried. It's also much weaker because the granules are not fully encapsulated in oil.

But too much oil or medium causes the granules to float apart and the spaces are filled with oil which does not reflect light with the same brilliance as the pure pigment. That difference in reflectivity causes the reflections to interfere with each other and cancel out much of the brilliance. Gloss does not necessarily equal brilliancy of color. Long ago, painters discovered a much better and safer method of unifying the surface of a painting,resin varnishes.

The most commonly used is Damar varnish, a varnish made by dissolving Damar crystals in turpentine . Full strength, Damar varnish is used as a final picture varnish and as an ingredient with wax mediums (it's also widely and erroneously used with oil painting mediums). If you thin Damar varnish to twice that of the picture varnish you produce Retouch Varnish. Retouch is used between painting sessions or to even out the look of the painting while waiting for final varnish time.

Final varnish is determined by your choice of whether to use gloss, semi-gloss or matte picture varnish over the entire surface. Aside from unifying the surface, the picture varnish acts as an easily removable layer that holds the dust and grime away from the actual paint. The dried picture varnish can be easily removed with turpentine, at which point the painting is further cleaned and, once dry, receives another coat of picture varnish. Obviously, the paint must be fully hardened before applying a picture varnish. That usually takes between four to six months.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Seascape Painting

6x9 inches
acrylic on panel
silver frame
350.00

Purchase: HERE




Artist Journal

I'm working like mad this week, getting ready to teach an art camp on paintings flowers. The thing I like best about teaching workshops, is the study I have to do myself to be prepared. I take teaching very seriously and I do the exact same tasks that I ask my students to do. It forces me to go back to good fundamentals in my work and to do the exercises which make us better painters. I don't believe I would study if I weren't teaching. It is too easy to get into my painting routine, never giving a thought to good study time. Teaching keep me on my toes, and forces me to justify what I do in methods and techniques, not to my students but rather to myself.

Painting Our Favorite Flowers

February 24, 2007

Meals and Snacks included

9 AM- 5 PM

75.00

3 spaces left

Near Gainesville, Florida

Contact: lindablondheim12@hotmail.com

Painters Tip

Variation of Intervals

A composition needs variation to be interesting. Try not to make your intervals the same. Vary the heights, depth, planes of elements in compositions. Create interesting groupings in the paintings by using different shapes widths and heights. Creating dynamic balance is a goal. Too much of the same is boring. Too much variation causes your painting to lose continuity. With a variety of elements, the viewers eye moves through the painting, taking longer to see it. The longer the viewer stays in the painting the better.

This is a problem I see over and over in landscape paintings. Lots of little tree trunks lined up right in a row. Pull some trees forward and push others back.

Blondheim Art Original Painting Evinston Florida

18x24 inches

oil on canvas

silver frame

1500.00

Purchase HERE

Artist Journal

This is a completed work in progress I showed you a few days ago. Evinston is one of my favorite places to paint in North Central Florida. It is a very old town with historic architecture and it has Florida's oldest working post office, The Wood Swink Post Office. The PO has lots of cool stuff in it, including a general store, just like in th old days. They sell fresh produce from Freddy Wood's garden behind the PO. It is a meeting place for the community and has one of the old timey drink boxes. I just love painting in that area and the scenery is first class.

Painters Tip

Cloud Painting

If you want to make your clouds the focal point of your composition, remember to give them ample room. Drop the horizon line well below the middle mark of your painting surface and keep the rest of the landscape simple. Like everything else, clouds follow rules of perspective. Those closest to you are likely to be puffier, more detailed and more round in appearance. As they recede into the distance, they tend to look simpler, smaller and flatter.


When painting a cloud focused painting, incorporate a variety of techniques to make your clouds more interesting and dramatic.


Using a wet on wet technique, lay in your sky color. Depending on the lighting, time of day etc, darken one are of the canvas a bit more heavily than the other. Leave some spaces open on your canvas completely free of the blue paint. Using a clean brush, start daubing in the white paint with a soft brush and 'feather' in the clouds to blend into the background.

Make sure you pay attention to the direction of light and that you keep shadows and light consistent.

Let your clouds dominate the canvas if you have impressive clouds to work with. Put in a touch of blues, grays, or even earth colors. This will reflect earth tones from below and make your painting more lifelike and realistic.

I like to incorporate land colors into the sky and sky color into the land so that there is harmony of color in the painting.

Pre-mixing your palette for location work will help you to capture the clouds quickly and efficiently.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Beach Coastal Dunes

8x10 inches

acrylic on panel

silver frame

500.00

Purchase HERE

Painters Tip

More on Studio Party Locations

Then there are the possibilities of finding a host for an opening. I have long had the idea of finding a wealthy patron who is willing to host an art party, like the candle parties or Tupperware parties, or basket parties, where the hostess gets a little painting for doing the food and inviting influential friends.

How about renting a vacant store front space for a day, or asking an artist with compatible work to share his/her studio for a weekend party? You could share the expenses.

Don’t forget rec centers, church halls and other alternative spaces like a local restaurant.

When I first moved my studio back home in the building behind my house others said, “It will never work. You live too far from town”.
My studio is 12 miles from the city, out in the rural area of the county.

It has never been a problem. Most people tell me that they enjoy the drive, getting out to the country, the quiet and fresh air.

People will come where they enjoy themselves, no matter where you are. Make the party fun, comfortable, and welcoming and they will come.

Remember, Your studio, festival booth, storefront or hall is your home. Welcome guests as if they were treasured friends and they will come back.

Blondheim Art Work In Progress

18x24 inches

oil on canvas

I'll show it again when it is finished.

Painters Tip

Alternative Studio Parties



I had a conversation with an artist yesterday who wished she could throw a studio party but alas has no real studio. She mentioned having an RV and that started me thinking about interesting ways to have a party.

I envision several possibilities with an RV. I read about an artist in Europe who travels from town to town in an RV. He has set it up as a rolling studio with a frame shop and gallery. He has studio open houses in various towns in his RV and makes his living selling paintings that way.

I was thinking that this artist with the RV I talked to, probably lives near a state park or some place that would be interesting and attractive to people to come and visit. Why couldn't she throw a party there and set up easels around the camping area to show off her work? I can see having a hot dog party or cocktails at sunset, or any number of activities which might be appealing to local or regional folks related to the great outdoors. Hiking trails with easels staged along the trail or under the picnic pavilion would work very well. What about inviting regional nature groups to get involved in the event and to give talks about their interests?

I am the "Artist In Residence" for Florida Trail this year. I will be going to their conference to set up my easel and show my work over the weekend. It is a great opportunity. That is the kind of thing that I'm thinking would be a unique way to have a party.

For that matter, a backyard party, a living room or garage party, or garden party, would also work nicely.


More on alternative ideas for studio parties tomorrow……

Blondheim Art 6x9 original oil painting Lake Alice

Lake Alice
University of Florida
6x9 inches
oil on panel
silver frame
350.00
Purchase: HERE





Artist Journal

I had a wonderful weekend with friends at my studio party. I love the parties because they give me time to enjoy friends. It also allows me to do research on what kinds of art people enjoy and what motivates them as artists and patrons. I always have a good feeling after the parties. My next party will be June 9-10, 2007. The theme will be a summer picnic (air Conditioned :>). We will enjoy hot dogs, homemade potato salad, and baked beans. The paintings will be from the coast. People seem to enjoy the themes for my parties.

Painters Tip

Holding a Salon

Back in the days of the Impressionists, wealthy patrons held salons in their homes. They were usually in the afternoon or evenings, drawing the cultured folk of the day. Artists, writers, and musicians attended along with patrons.

It is a shame that salons have gone out of fashion. It would be a great idea to start them again. I am convinced that artists need to be available to their patrons and to form personal friendships with them, circumventing the traditional gallery routine of having dealers act as the middleman between artists and patrons.

I have a studio party every three or four months, which is my version of a salon.

It is also fun to have artist painting parties. I did that for awhile. Every Sunday we had a two hour painting session among friends. We studied different books and methods together and took turns bringing snacks and drinks. It was terrific fun and I’d like to do that again.

If you have strong patronage and a following for your work, or you are trying to build interest, it might be good to have regular salons at your studio.

If you like to paint and study with friends, the afternoon painting parties are great too.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Landscape Painting

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00 includes shipping
Purchase: HERE




Artist Journal

I have to take a couple of days off from the blog because this weekend is my annual Dessert and Coffee Party. I will resume posting on Monday. I have been doing small painting this year and have framed them all to hang salon style in the studio for this party. It is a good show I think, all of them framed alike and hung together. That is the kind of alla prima work I enjoy, doing the little paintings. They are each a new adventure. They have improved my technical skill with acrylics too, and I believe for me, the small format is the only way to go with acylics. They are not as successful for me in large format as a medium. I will stick with oils for larger paintings than 12x16.

The great thing about these studio parties is that it builds camaraderie between me,my patrons, and other artists, and I have an opportunity to make new friends. It is a festive atmosphere and a great way to interact with people who enjoy art. If you are going to be in North Florida this weekend, please come to the party.

Linda Blondheim Art Studio

Dessert and Coffee Party

Featuring Small Treasures and Sweet Treats

Saturday and Sunday

February 10-11, 2007

10 AM - 5PM

Painters Tip

Exhibition Experience

Yesterday I judged an art exhibit at a nearby college. It was an interesting show with a variety of subjects, mediums, and styles. I like to take my time judging work and to give it my respect. Each artist who is willing to go to the effort of framing the work, paying entry fees and delivering their work to a show is to be commended, and they deserve my thoroughness in judging a show.

Some of the things I look for are respect from the artist for their own work. Does he/she care enough to present the work in clean mats, and frames which are in good condition with proper wiring? I’m not suggesting that one must use custom frame work or even expensive frames, but they should be in good condition and the kind of frame which will enhance the art work. Whether an artist uses metal framing, wood or rustic, it should fit the aesthetic of the painting. The same goes for sculpture bases. Try to choose a base which goes well with the piece you have created.

When you come to the opening of the show, and your work was not selected for a prize, look at the winners and try to understand what the judge may have seen in the work that he/she may not have seen in yours. Your first reaction is to think the judge is an idiot and has no idea what is good. It is understandable to feel this way because it hurts to be passed over. Before you run the judge out of town on a rail, consider that most judges have studied art extensively over long years. They have a degree in fine art or art history and have been exposed to good work for many years. They are often very experienced, accomplished artists in their own right, many of them making a living from their work as I do.

Some judges are strongly biased and that is a shame. I try to choose a variety of mediums, subjects, and styles, because I do not want to be biased in any one direction. I am looking for narrative content, emotive content on top of a solid understanding of the technical properties of each medium. I am looking for a good understanding and execution of the principles of design in the work I select. I want to choose artists that are technically proficient as well as creative, looking for that winning combination of the above elements.

Blondheim Art Original Landscape Painting Trees

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00 includes shipping

Purchase: HERE






Painters Tip

A solution if your color palette is out of control.


Every now and then, I will lose control of my color palette. It doesn’t happen too much these days, but it often happened when I was a novice painter.

My solution is to cut my palette drastically to just a few colors and work with that for a few weeks. It really does the trick. I am one who likes to experiment with palettes, tweaking them all the time and adjusting them to the seasons. It’s easy to get too many colors going which causes disharmony in your color scheme for a painting.

When I need to cut my palette down to the basics, I use the following:

French Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Lemon
Cadmium Red Light
Titanium White
Ivory Black

I find that I can get most of what I need with those five colors. It is very hard to get violet with that palette but you can get some very nice mauves and dirty purples with it. You could substitute a Cad red Medium or an Alizarin Crimson for the Cad red Light, but I love the Cad Red Light. The above painting was done with the limited palette.

I will use it for awhile until I feel confident again and then go back to a more versatile palette.

I also like to use other limited palettes like:

Red Iron Oxide
Lemon yellow
French Blue
Flake White
Ivory Black

That one is a great tonal palette for those dark winter days in Florida.

I’m not sure that I would want to use a limited palette all of the time because though you have harmony in the work, it all starts to look the same after awhile and that is a bit dull to me.

Blondheim Art original Landscape Painting

5x7 inches

acrylic on panel

unframed 115.00 includes shipping

Purchase: Here

Painters Tip

Easy Promotional Tool

For those of you who sell your work, this is an easy little marketing tool. Most of us have lots of older post cards sitting around the studio. They are pretty images of our paintings on one side. I take a paper cutter and cut them down the middle on the long side. I punch a hole in the middle of one end and run a string through it, or a narrow piece of ribbon. I flip it over to the back side ad glue a current business card on the back. Instant attractive bookmark. I give them away at my studio parties. You can give them away at festivals with paintings that are sold, Ebay paintings, or anywhere you like. They make beautiful abstract images.

Blondheim Art Original Landscape Painting

5x7 inches

acrylic on panel

unframed

115.00 includes shipping

Purchase: HERE

Painters Tip

Have Faith

If you are making a living from your art, or trying to, you must be tenacious and have nerves of steel. Your faith in yourself and your work will be tested many times. Even after you have established your career, there will be hard times and times when you don't sell. Things may be going along nicely, feeling like the hard times are over, and bang, the clients dry up over night. One year is feast and the very next year is famine.

You must be willing to be adaptable to the market. If no one is buying large paintings, start doing small paintings. If your clients haven't been coming to the studio lately, throw a studio party and invite them to come. Perhaps you need to create a market for a certain subject or niche. Think about where you may find the clients who will want this subject. Most likely it will not be in a formal gallery. If you are painting florals, go to the plant nurseries or florists and put your promotional materials there.

You must be willing to adapt your marketing style to fit the current market. Few reach the level of being able to pick and choose their clients.

Think about your goals as an artist and adapt to whatever it takes to achieve them.

My goal is very simple. I like to paint and I like working for myself. I have no aspirations to fame as an artist. I like to paint and I want to do that everyday and to have independence. I leave the art snobbishness to others. I will do whatever is necessary to survive, so that I can continue to paint.

Think about what you really want as an artist and plan for that. If your current efforts are not working, find another plan and go for it.

Blondheim Art Original Landscape Painting

10x12 inches
acrylic on panel
Silver Frame
550.00
Purchase: HERE

Painters Tip

Breaking Rules Can Be Fun


I have long been a student of design and composition and most of the time I behave myself and stick pretty close to the tried and tested rules. Now and then I like to have fun, as in the above painting. It is actually one of my favorites. Crowding all of the major elements into the corner, making most of the cattle the same value and color, and pulling them out of the picture plane was a quirky way to handle the composition but I like it none the less. I have balanced it somewhat by bringing a palm forward in the left quadrant of the painting and positioning the black cow to draw the viewers eye up back into the composition.




Sometimes breaking rules can create dynamic qualities in a painting and other times breaking the rules ends in utter failure. You can never be sure of the outcome and that adds a bit of spice to your journey. I do strongly recommend that beginners study the elements of composition and design thoroughly before you start breaking too many rules.

Blondheim Art Landscape Painting

Paynes Prairie
18x24 inches
oil on canvas
1500.00
Purchase HERE



Painters Tip

Value- is the transition of color from light to dark or light tone to pure tone. In painting, it is captured by adding black (to capture the gradient of shadow), or white (to capture distance).


Hue- is the purity of tone. A color that is innately pure is more intense, or more saturated. A pure tone that has been introduced to different colors, will become de-saturated, less intense, and sometimes muddy. These become alternative hues to the same tone.


Color Temperature- Light, whether it's direct, reflected, or diffused, all has different color temperatures. These color characteristics are often referred to as being warm or cool. Color temperature can also be used to create depth in a painting. Warmer colors seem to advance to the viewer, while cooler colors recede.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Palms

8x10 inches

acrylic on panel

silver frame

500.00

Purchase HERE

Artist Journal

I am leaving the Daily Painters Group as of today. You will need to come to this blog to see the paintings rather than the Daily Painters web site. It became just a bit too expensive to be a member and I must be careful about where I invest my resources. I wish them all well and much success with the venture.

Tonight I am being honored by the local school board for my generosity in donating paintings for many years to their Special Education fundraisers. My name will be on a plaque at the school board office. I am very touched by this and happy to have touched other lives for the good.

My painting was included this morning on the ARTIST HIDEOUT web site, which was a real treat.

For Gainesville, Florida area friends, my annual Books, Inc. studio sale is in full swing. Paintings range in 35.00-500.00. and I have lots of paintings to select from. Books, Inc. is located on the corner of NW 13th Street (US 441), and NW 5th Avenue, 5 blocks north from the entrance to the University Of Florida campus.

Thanks to everyone who supported the Ebay Sale which ends today.

For anyone in North Florida, my Valentine Dessert and Coffee Party is next weekend,

9-5 PM both days Saturday and Sunday. The show will be "Small Works". Please come and bring friends.

Painters Tip

It's always a good idea to contact Workshop teachers before you sign up. Make sure they are familiar with your medium and able to accommodate your medium if it is not listed on the prospectus. I had a gentleman contact me this morning who is a watercolorist. That is the only painting medium I am not really qualified t teach at this time. I want him to understand that yes, I could help him with value, composition and other issues, but not with the peculiarities of the specific medium. Sometimes teachers will take students they are not really qualified to teach and that is unfair. Always ask a lot of questions before you invest in a workshop, so that you know your investment of money and time is well spent. If you are unsure of a teacher, ask for references. If they will not give you references, they are not the teacher for you.

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Pear

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00 includes shipping
Purchase: HERE



Painters Tip


Be Prepared


You never know when opportunity will present itself. Yesterday, I got a call from a bookstore owner who gives me a show every year. I use it as my studio sale because it is not a high end venue. However, I always sell older paintings well there. She needed a show to go up this morning and I will be there in a couple of hours with guest book, brochures, biz cards, posters for the door and about 100 browse bin paintings. I put this together in about two hours.

I can do this because I produce about 300 paintings a year and I am never without promotional materials ready to take out, including packing boxes and bubble wrap, etc.

Keeping these materials ready will give you many opportunities to show and sell your work. Keep in touch wih bookstore, hair salon, restaurant owners who are willing to do shows in their businesses. You never know when one will call and say, "Can you do a show today?"

Blondheim Art Original Acrylic Painting Sunflowers

5x7 inches
acrylic on panel
unframed
115.00 includes shipping
Purchase: HERE



Painters Tip


Choosing Mediums For Subjects


If you are a one medium painter, this will not relate to you but if you use multiple mediums as I do, you can sometimes choose your medium relating to the subject you want to paint.

I love to use acrylic for florals. The crisp clean color and edge work makes acrylic ideal for flowers. Of course I have done many florals with oils,,casein, and even watercolors from time to time over the years, but I love them with acrylic the best.

For landscape work you just can't beat oils. Landscape requires soft and hard edge work, a lot of atmospherics and rich and subtle tones. Oils have such diversity and richness that they are ideally suited.

For fine detail and realism, egg tempera and casein are king.


I am not a watercolorist, but I have seen lovely floral work with that medium as well.

My point here is not to single out one medium over another. I am suggesting that some are especially well suited for some subjects. If you are using more than one medium and are having trouble with a particular subject, try changing mediums to see if another is better suited for your subject.