Most Viewed of 2018

These are some of my most viewed images from 2018.

 Thanks to everyone for a great year.  

Learn the Basics of Oil Painting

The Atelier at Arlene's in Albany, NY
On Saturday, December 8th, from 11am to 4pm
Learn the basics of how to compose, draw, create a value study and oil paint.

Would you like to learn the basics of oil painting and its application while having fun? In this class we'll cover materials, the concepts of value, intensity, temperature, and the use of complementary colors. You'll learn how to compose a painting, do a value study, learn paint mixing in order to produce beautiful colors, and how to simplify your brushwork. Demos, painting exercises and one-on-one attention will be provided. You'll be able to create a colorful still life and become a more confident painter in your chosen subject matter.

A supply list will be provided upon registration. Supplies are not included in the cost of the class. To find out more click 

The Atelier at Arlene's

Introduction to Oil Painting, my class at Arlene's Artist Materials

Here's a picture of the art room at Arlene's.

My demo of a 5-step value scale, painting of a white sphere and red delicious apple in the same gray values.

Students working on value studies.

Here are some examples of my students' work on a 5-step intensity scale using complementary colors red and green with tints.  Their task, paint the red/green intensity chart and using those mixed colors paint a red delicious apple. They got it. I'm so proud of them!

My next class is Saturday December 8th from 11 to 4. If you'd like to sign up go the 

 the Atelier at Arlene's

A Trio of Fruit and Knife

This painting took several days to finish since I had to push the darker values in the knife. I made the knife a means to lead the viewer into the painting.

 I'll be showing this painting next month in the

Annual Member's Show at Saratoga Arts,

The show runs November 10- January 4, 2019

with an opening Reception & Holiday Potluck on Saturday, December 1 6-8pm.

Introduction to Oil Painting

The Atelier at Arlene's

Learn the Basics of Oil Painting

On Saturday, Nov. 3rd, from 11am to 4pm

$60 per student

Would you like to learn the basics of oil painting and its application while having fun? In this class we'll cover materials, the concepts of value, intensity, temperature, and the use of complementary colors. You'll learn how to compose a painting, do a value study, learn paint mixing in order to produce beautiful colors, and how to simplify your brushwork. Demos, painting exercises and one-on-one attention will be provided. You'll be able to create a colorful still life and become a more confident painter in your chosen subject matter.

A supply list will be provided upon registration. Supplies are not included in the cost of the class. To find out more click 

The Atelier at Arlene's.

Green Vaseline Glass on Blue Plate

This green vaseline glass has beautiful bright green fluorescences. The goal of this painting was to make them pop. I couldn't lighten these areas without losing the chroma, so I did it by darkening the surrounding areas.

Here's some interesting info on vaseline glass:
"The normal colour of uranium glass ranges from yellow to green depending on the oxidation state and concentration of the metal ions, although this may be altered by the addition of other elements as glass colorants. Uranium glass also fluoresces bright green under ultraviolet light and can register above background radiation on a sufficiently sensitive Geiger counter, although most pieces of uranium glass are considered to be harmless and only negligibly radioactive.^{[3]" Wikipedia.}

Orange on Blue Plate withLemon

This is a painting where I thought about why I paint. It's not the objects themselves, but their shapes and colors. My focus was on the process of painting and the enjoyment of the moment.

Babel of Boxes

A babel of boxes is a scene of confusion where every box is pointing in a different direction and nothing stacks up neatly. 

Original photo. Painted from life. The set up looked different. It was lighter and shadows more defined.

This past weekend was the 67th Annual Stockade Villagers' Art Show. I received 3rd place for a small painting titled "Oh Radishes". Had a great time!

Drawings

I've noticed that I haven't posted anything on my blog this month! It's because it all goes to either Instagram or Pinterest. I like my blog. The reason is, it's a platform for me to talk about my art, why I do it and what/who inspires me.
Above are drawings I've created recently and shared only on Instagram. They were done for the fun of drawing, to practice my skills and they weren't intended to develop into paintings. I have a small goal to create 100 drawings and the bottom left glass is #64.  You'll find these on Instagram. Others are private.
Drawing for me is important. I find it harder than mixing oil colors and even conceiving a painting. I'm inspired by artists with great drawing skills, like contemporary artists Sarah Sedwick and
Corey Pitkin. Of course, everyone has a different idea of great art, like my late friend Lorraine Roth who loved abstract paintings. 

Radishes and White Teapot

Radishes and White Teacup using a mostly red and green palette.

Huge Summer Sales Event

Starting today until the end of the summer I am holding an (up to) 50% sale on my 

"Summer Sales Event"

Daily Paintworks Gallery

Prices range from $35 to $100.

There are over 50 paintings to choose from! Sizes range from 6 x 6 in. to 8 x 8 in.

Some paintings are framed, but most are unframed.

Shipping charges are extra.

Just click on this link My Daily PaintWorks Gallery and if interested in purchasing a painting, you'll be directed to PayPal where you can pay by PayPal or credit card. 

I'll ship your painting nicely wrapped by Priority Mail.

Giclee Prints

I have two beautiful giclee reproduction prints for sale. This is a limited edition print. 

To understand the difference between an original oil painting and a giclee print, please watch the Youtube video by Karen Talbot below.

YouTube Video - Giclee Prints 101

Repeating Apples

33 x 27 inches on heavy archival paper

$165

Jelly Bar Cookies

39 x 27 inches on heavy archival paper

$175

Prints are not framed. Prices do not include shipping and handling. You can contact me at
robin.rosenthal12@gmail.com with questions or comments.

Amber Vase and Two Oranges

It's fun to do a series. I've done four paintings of this amber vase. This is the current painting and is all about the reflection of the front orange in the glass. Surprisingly, each one is slightly different in color.  Below are my previous three.

Amber Vase on White Plate

A second painting of the amber vase and lemon from a different angle and with a different set-up. The most challenging part of this painting was to simplify the vase's shadow and deciding on its color/value. This took me several days of musing.

Below is the drawing I did prior to the painting. I do lots of drawings of different setups. This is a way for me to choose my still life and help me really look closely at my objects.

Earthly Possessions

I've been invited to participate in The Smithy Gallery show "Earthly Possessions"
this month in Cooperstown, NY.
                         Show dates June 25 - July 27. Reception June 25th 5-7PM.
My work is in the lower left hand corner. These are the shoes I wore to my son's wedding this past December in Taiwan. I painted them in honor of his wedding and to celebrate the occasion. How appropriate that this and other object-related paintings of mine were selected for the show.

Amber Vase and Lemons

Lately, it's about directing the viewer's eye to the center of interest. It's the lemons and inside the vase! The tools used were de-emphasizing the cast shadow of the vase and increasing the value contrast of the lemons. I think it was successful.

600th Blog Post

A friend gave me the book "The Elements of Color" by Johannes Itten.
I'd like to thank her and share two passages whose meaning I find true.

“ Only those who love color are admitted to its beauty and immanent presence.

It affords utility to all, but unveils its deeper mysteries only to its devotees.”

“Learning from books and teachers is like traveling by carriage, so we are told in the Veda. The thought goes on, “But the carriage will serve only while one is on the highroad. He who reaches the end of the highroad will leave the carriage and walk afoot.”

For me, painting is like walking up a mountainside.
The path is beautiful and full of wonders.

Lemons in Pink Bowl

The focal point of this painting is the lemon on the left. It has the greatest value contrast. The shadows are anchored on three sides. I started this painting by thinking about color combinations and by laying out different objects. Once I decided on the setup, I worked on a drawing and then adjusted it to improve the composition. Seems like a lot of work, it was.  For the last three months, I've participated  in Sarah Sedwick's Online Mentorship Program to work on my drawing and painting skills. Tomorrow is my last day with her. I'll miss her. I strongly endorse Sarah because she is committed to her students and their success and she's a really nice person.

Art and Photography Festival at Lion's Park 2018

Join me and enjoy!

 The Art and Photography Festival In Lion's Park at the Niskayuna Train Station.

Lion's Park

 this Saturday, May 26 (10-4pm)

A juried exhibit.

A promise of fine art and beautiful scenery.

Turnips

I've been working on my drawing skills. In the drawing below I followed the form with my hatch marks and kept it loose. In the painting above I kept the placement of my objects in the same location as in the drawing.

Orange Slices

Orange Slices on Purple Cloth. My goal was to lead the viewer’s eye into this composition with a shaft of light between the two orange slices on the left.

This was a sketch I did before the painting. I'm new to sketching on tan paper. There is "value" in doing a preliminary sketch and "value" in using toned paper. 

Green Apples on Blue Plate

I went back into this painting the next day to darken some shadow areas, lightened and warmed up the table in front, created lost edges and painted over the drawing lines seen between objects. This made a difference in creating a more finished piece.

White Cup and Orange Slice

White Cup and Orange Slice using a mostly yellow and purple palette.

If you're in the Albany, NY area and are interested in learning more about oil painting, I've got a 1/2 day workshop at

the Atelier at Arlene's in Albany NY

Saturday, May 19th, from 11am to 4pm

The Smithy Gallery (and other art shows)

I'm pleased to announce that I've been invited to participate in the group show "Earthly Possessions" at the Smithy Gallery in Cooperstown, NY this summer. 

Among the paintings of mine selected was The Things We Carry. 

The Things We Carry, an oil painting montage of 8 women's purses surrounding an image of symbolic purse contents, was inspired by the book “The Things They Carried” by Tim O'Brien. In the book Mr. O'Brien writes about the Vietnam War, it's aftermath, and what the soldiers actually carried in their backpacks and the emotions they carried both during and after the war. After reading the book, I was intrigued by what women carry in their pocketbooks, both actual and emotional.

Other spring and summer venues I'll be participating in so far are:

 2nd Annual Lion's Park Art Festival
   May 26th (rain date May 27th)

Stockade Villager's Outdoor Art Show
    September 8th

Bagel and Knife

This composition started as a value drawing. In figuring out the value structure I was able to visualize the drawing as a completed painting.  I found that planning a painting in this way increases the likelihood that it will work out.

How I Frame my Paintings -Update

I first posted this tutorial on February 2015. Since then I've found other/new floating frames that are worth a look: 

dickblick.com - Blick Grande Wood Floater Frames

Some of these frames may only accommodate painting panels with a cradled backing. In that case the panel attaches to the frame from the backside with screws. Other ways to attach cradled panels to floaters are with some sort of offset clips as shown below.     

     

Jerrysartarama.com - Illusions Floater Canvas Frames 3/4" Deep
CanvasPlace.com - 1.25" Deep BLACK Floater Frames (7/8" rabbet)

My Post from 2015

Supplies needed (most are available at any local arts and crafts store):

• floating frame (I recommend those at CanvasPlace.com)
• hanging hardware: D-ring hangers and braided picture wire
• clear all purpose household caulking (available at most hardware stores)
• black foam board
• mat cutter
• mat cutting board
• metal ruler
• screwdriver

I'm using a 6" x 6" floating frame from but you can use any available size to match your painting. I paint on Ampersand Gessobord 1/8" flat panels available at Jerry's Artarama.

Attach the hanging hardware to the back of the floating frame. 

Using the mat cutter, ruler, and cutting board, cut two pieces from black foam board. One piece is 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" (the interior dimensions of the floating frame) to insert into the front of the frame. The second piece is 5" x 5" to place on top of the first piece.

Run a bead of clear household caulking around the inner ledge of the floating frame and press the 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" foam board in place. Place several dabs of caulking onto the 5" x 5" foam board. Center and attach it to the top of the larger foam board piece.

Place several dabs of caulking on top of the smaller foam board piece. Making sure that the painting and the frame are both right-side up (with the hanging hardware near the top of the frame), adhere the painting to smaller foam board.

The painting will appear to float in frame.

Nectarines in White Bowl on Pink Cloth

The idea for this painting came after I drew the nectarines in a white bowl and then decided it would be a more interesting and colorful painting if I put the bowl on a colored cloth. Actually, the cloth is my husband's shirt and it wasn't my first color choice. My first choice was an orange shirt! Painting is a series of decisions. It can also be trial and error. That's what makes it both fun and challenging.