Earlier this month, artists Mitch Baird, Eric Jacobsen, and Gabor met up at a Plein Air Painters of America convention. While there, they discussed why cultivating a crew of likeminded artists is so vital for the creative process. About the Artists: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in...

In the final part of the conversation between David, Colley, and Gabor, the three dive into the contemporary painters they admire and Colley asks David about some of the specific techniques he uses while painting. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the...

Continuing the conversation from last episode, Gabor, Colley, and David discuss how they feel inspired on the field, what music they listen to when they paint, and the importance of developing your drawing skills. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first...

It was our treat to record an insightful discussion between Gabor, Colley Whisson, and acclaimed British watercolour and oil painter, David Curtis. This conversation is broken up into three parts, the first of which is recorded here where the three consider the joys of painting outdoors and the benefits of sharing your work on the internet. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to...

All scenes are comprised of abstract shapes - the key is to spot them, and render them artistically. Artist Matt Smith and Gabor also discuss the difference between representing visual reality and photo-reality, pointing to the work of artist Daniel Sprick as a good example of someone who's work is highly rendered, yet still based in the foundational principles of composition. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University....

Not all oil painters are the cleanest when they get out into the field and paint. Matt shares with you some tips about how to organize and keep your brushes so you can get the best results on the canvas. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine...

One of the largest issues that Matt sees his students struggle with is perspective, specifically finding the horizon line. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can...

What is likeness? How do you achieve it? Simon Kogan recounts and experiment he did with his class where he distorted a photograph to accentuate certain features, demonstrating that creating an artistic portrait is not merely recording the facial features accurately. About the Artist: Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1991, [Simon Kogan] has steadily risen to national prominence as a sculptor whose widely acclaimed work - monumental to miniature - reflects a bold, yet poetic pursuit of the...

Today's topic is intent. If you have no master plan or purpose behind your painting, then you may find improving your work difficult. Randy discusses with Gabor what inspires him and how he allows his intent to shape his work. About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from...

As artists we are always learning, growing, and experimenting. In this episode, Randy discusses how exploring different types of brushes unlocked more of his creativity as a painter. About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes...

After a recent visit to the Sargent in Spain exhibition in San Francisco, Randy was struck by how often Sargent would copy other artists in order to better himself. He reflects on how this simple exercise can better every artist. About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from...

For nearly 30 years Randy Sexton has been teaching workshops and has surrounded himself with a community of artists, which has proven tremendously beneficial in his career. He finds that in community, he would learn more from his peers than he had in art school. About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA...

Matt Smith jokes that when he retires as a professional painter, he will become a full time plein air painter so he can spend all his time doing what he loves. Check out this episode to get some of his tips for new (and veteran) outdoor painters. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These...

Sometimes paintings "paint themselves" and other times painting can become laborious. The question then becomes: will you give up or keep going? About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and abstract the image as much as possible while...

Often times in class, Matt sees his students struggle to design their paintings because it causes them to deviate from copying the photo. But there are rarely perfect scenes found in nature, so following the foundational principles becomes essential to adapting a photographic reference for painting. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began...

Colley Whisson recounts the time that someone once said to him, "You know what I love about your work? Your peaceful areas." At first he didn't understand what the person meant, but now he not only understands, he expounds upon the importance this idea.  About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story...

Many beginners think in terms of objects and figures instead of thinking in terms of shapes. But seeing a painting as a collection of shapes can allow you to orchestrate the viewers attention. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and...

Imagine your favorite food. Now Imagine that you had to eat it every night. Eventually what you once loved will become at best something you find boring and at worst something you despise. In the same way, unless artists mix up their subject matter, they run the risk of becoming worn out and may become rusty.   About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the...

So often as a teacher, Colley sees his students face the the temptation to add more visual information in the hopes of improving their painting. But these are the wrong sorts of "details" to focus on when painting, and can actually serve as a distraction from the aspects of painting we should be considering.  About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the...

Is white actually a color or is it merely a modifier? Tune in to this week's episode with Skip Whitcomb, who teaches a course with us on practical approaches to understanding color and color harmony, if you want to learn more. About the Artist: An accomplished outdoor painter, Whitcomb has received numerous awards for his landscape paintings in oil and pastel, his work resides in major public and private collections.  He has had several one-man shows and participated in numerous gallery...

In college, Randy took four semesters of figuring drawing; a practice that not only shifted his focus from sculpting to painting, but also shapes everything he works on.  About the Artist: California based artist, Randall Sexton, is nationally known for the use of color and expressive brushwork in his oil paintings of “everyday” scenes. Raised in rural Connecticut, Sexton moved to San Francisco, CA in 1980 after completing a BFA from the University of CT, Storrs. He believes ,“Each painting...

Sometimes accomplished artists struggle looking back at their early work. But looking at looking at previous pieces has its benefits, including giving you an appreciation for how far you've come. About the Artist: Andy Evansen’s interest in art started in childhood, as he can’t recall a time when he wasn’t drawing. He began painting watercolors in the mid 1990s as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator. Choosing a ‘style’ was not difficult, as Andy was always inspired by...

We all know that composition is integral in good painting, but where do edges fit into that? For Colley, the concept of edges boils down to one thing: drawing in and hooking the viewer.  About the Artist: "I have long believed “It’s not what you paint but how you paint it”.  With this in the fore-front of my mind I’ve dedicated myself to developing my skills to the highest level possible. I’m aiming to tell a visual story with clarity and sophistication but I am also driven to distort and...

From her studio in Taos, Laura Robb discusses why she prefers natural diffused light with Gabor. About the Artist: Robb took her first steps to becoming an artist while still in high school by attending Art Student’s Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduation she moved to New York City to continue her education under Michael Aviano and upon returning to Oklahoma received critiques from Richard Schmid. Today she paints in a beautiful north light studio designed and built for her in Taos,...