Author: Christian John
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George Innes: The Coming Storm
American Landscape Painter In the nexus between realism and impressionism live the paintings of George Innes, American landscape painter (May 1, 1825 – August 3, 1894.) Initially influenced by the Hudson River painters George Innes was interested in the spiritual force of nature and tried to represent this in his paintings. While the Hudson River painters…
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Long Live Charcoal
Charcoal is an immediate and expressive medium and ideal for work running the gamut from the ideation phase to finished drawings.
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Expressionist Painter Soutine
When I think of Expressionism and expressionist painters, I usually think of the Germans, such as Emil Nolde and the other Dir Brücke artists.
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Product Focus: Williamsburg Artist Oil Colors
I love a good origin story. Williamsburg Artist Oil Colors are born from an artist who started making artist quality oil paint in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for himself and his friends.
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The Clark Art Institute
The Clark Art Institute One of the great advantages of residing in southern Vermont is the close proximity to some of the best art museums in the country. The Clark Art Institute is located in Williamstown, MA and well worth the visit. Listed below are a few of my favorite paintings from their permanent collection…
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Genius at a Larger Scale
Larger Scale Genius. Large scale paintings that maintain their depth and quality while being true to their subject are difficult to create. It takes skill to bring your vision to life when you scale up a creative process such as painting. What do a French Romanticist, a Pop Artist, and a YBA all have in…
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The Unorthodox Paintings of El Greco
The Unorthodox Paintings of El Greco. One of my favorite areas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the European Painting galleries. In particular I love the unorthodox paintings of El Greco. In through the main entrance, up the stairs, through the glass double doors and turn left. violà! I was in shock and denial…
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Frank Auerbach: Trust in the Process
Trust in the Process. Thinking of the work of Frank Auerbach, “trust” is a word that comes to mind. I think the charcoal drawings of Auerbach perhaps more so than the paintings reflect the obsessive nature of his process. Laying down instense, exploratory marks on paper to then dust and erase away. Leaving a trace…
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Dutch Nocturne
Painting Nocturnes in Oil. One of my favorite genres of landscape painting is the Nocturne. Much like walking out into the night, attempting to paint nocturnes in oil is like entering a different realm where you will be tested. You need to let go and trust your skills. Be confident in the painting process and…
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Francis Bacon: Raw Application
A friend recently posted a photo of their visit to Francis Bacon’s studio. What an organic, crazy, and chaotic looking space. Seeing the image reminded me of his paintings, and what an original character Francis Bacon was, how powerful and provocative his paintings still are. I was lucky enough to see a retrospective of Bacon’s…
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David Hockney’s Paintings in Acrylic
David Hockney has left an indelible mark on the art world with his vibrant and distinctive use of acrylic paints. Known for his versatility and experimentation across mediums, David Hockney’s paintings in acrylic stand out as vivid celebrations of color, light, and form. Affinity for Acrylics Hockney’s affinity for acrylics is evident in his iconic…
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The Hudson River School
The Hudson River School, a mid-19th-century American art movement, celebrated the sublime beauty of nature through luminous landscape paintings. These artists ventured into the wilderness armed with essential equipment that allowed them to capture the awe-inspiring views with precision. Easel and Palette: The Hudson River School painters relied on portable easels and palettes for plein…