Sunday, January 31, 2010

Eye Movement

A well executed painting keeps your eye traveling through the painting without going off the side and out of the painting. To achieve this flow, composition, artistic license and knowing what details to include or edit all come into play.

 Blue Boat, was a fun painting from my recent New Zealand trip. Notice the two boats (red and green) in the center of painting. They were in that position so I originally painted them that way. However, over time, I realized that the horizontal positions cause your eye to move across the painting rather than toward the focal point, the larger blue boat.
In the final painting, I took artistic license to alter the position of the two middle ground boats so they point toward the focal area. If you look at each painting separately, you can sense how your eye naturally flows out of the painting in the first version and toward the blue boat in the finished painting.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Editing a Painting

Once you find a compelling composition, editing the subject is another difficult process for many painters. I like to hang a painting in my studio or home for awhile. Sometimes, time allows me to realize what changes need to be made to a painting to improve it. Art is subjective and although a particular viewer may not agree with the changes, ultimately, the artist must stand behind his or her finished work. You may look at the before and after photos below and think, well of course the telephone pole should never have been in the middle of the painting. The point is there is a fine line between overworking and editing a painting. How much detail to include is a judgment balance I make with every painting.
I love telephone poles in country settings so the pole and wire was originally included in this 12 x 16 painting, Winter Colors.
Your eyes circle around in the final painting without the pole stopping your movement.


Shadow of Notre Dame, 16 x 12, originally included a woman in the center of the cross walk.
In the final painting, the woman was removed which balances the painting. I also added a warm glaze over the entire painting to give more of an old world feel.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Paintings in Collector's Homes


Once in awhile, I receive a photo from a collector who lets me know how the "Brent Jensen" original looks in their home. This photo shows three of my paintings from one of my collectors in Atlanta, Georgia. I enjoy receiving these images as my paintings feel in some ways like children. I know they have to leave home, but it is nice to have a peek into the existence of the world in which they live.  I was at a dinner party this weekend in Palm Springs at a home of another collector. I hadn't seen my paintings that collector had purchased for several years and it was so comforting to see them again in person.  Not only did I enjoy feeling they stood the test of time, but it also hit home to me that my artwork will live on long after I eventually am gone.

Monday, January 11, 2010

2010 Workshops

I realize that people read my blog for various reasons and sometimes a post may not be applicable to your interests. This one is for plein air artists who may be looking for a workshop to attend in 2010.

April 8-10, 2010 will be my next three-day plein air workshop in and around Napa, California. For more information, click this link for a two-page pamphlet. My website has quotes from participants in past workshops.

I was honored to be asked to teach a plein air workshop for Art of the Aspens from August 23-26, 2010 in Pueblo, Colorado.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Richard Schmid "The Landscapes" Book


My best Christmas present was Richard Schmid's new book "The Landscapes" which is filled with over 300 images spanning his 50 years of painting. He is a true inspiration and his landscapes are masterpieces. 

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 Sold Paintings

As 2010 begins, I am thankful for the 50 2009 sold paintings that found new homes. Click here for youtube link.