30 Seconds of Painting

Playing with some new technology today (Timelapse app on iPhone) I decided to share a  video of a start. This is a large one - 24x24 - and what took me an hour has been reduced to 30 seconds. 

I like to work fast and get lots of information blocked in early in a painting and like to work all over the canvas. First, I make lines and points to note where things are to be, measuring and comparing objects and then begin to draw my "map" a little more clearly and then begin to mass in big shapes with color. When there are many darks, I begin with thin washes and leave a lot transparent, but in this case, I wanted the painting to have a higher key and went right into more opaque paint.

From here its all in the details. That will take another couple of hours or days. Some of this rough start may be left alone - it's background info. But there is still a lot to do in my focal areas. And I want I be sure I represent that hazy, humid glare of a hot day in New Orleans.

étudiant des arts - Giclee GIVEAWAY

And the winner is Jane C. - CONGRATULATIONS!

What fun this was! Thanks so much for writing in and telling me what you liked. The breakdown was interesting - the winning theme was "art patrons". Next were laundry scenes, birds-eye views and city/restaurant. What great feedback!

The painting below is the one now featured as my first ever limited edition print. It is a 16x12 giclee print on fine art paper, signed and limited to only 20 prints.

$80 limited edition (20 prints)
16x12 giclee on fine art paper

Since so many like the museum paintings I wanted to revisit this little "copiste" in the National Gallery. I can't seem to get enough of her at work copying one of Berthe Morisot's lovely works (The Mother and Sister of the Artist 1869/70). Unfortunately, this image has some glare on it and I will replace it as soon as I can get a good photo in daylight. I finished up too late tonight. Its been a hectic week. I was frantically working on paintings for a group show opening tomorrow night at the Russell Collection. "Femme" features all their women artists. I took in 9 paintings - some larger scale than usual for me. I had good news this evening. Two already sold! What a feeling, especially after lots of angst over one in particular!

Now, if you'd like to purchase a limited edition print, email me and I can send you a invoice via paypal. $80 includes shipping.
If you would like to own the original - send me an email!

Student of the Arts

10x12 oil on panel

SOLD

This is it! I'm packing my bags and heading to coastal NC early Friday morning. The opening reception will be fun I think and it will be really nice to see all 25 paintings hung together. It was a big undertaking, doing a solo show! Its going to be nice to celebrate now after all my hard work. If you are in the area - please stop by and say hi!

You can purchase a show catalog for $15 and see all the paintings as well as a couple of pages where I show work in progress and talk about my techniques. This painting is one of those demonstrations. And its one of my favorites for this upcoming show. 

"Vignettes"

An exhibition of small works by Robin Cheers

Tidewater Gallery

107 N. Front Street

Swansboro, NC

910-325-0660

Opening reception Friday, June 15, 5-8 pm

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

This month I got to choose our challenge and since I have become such a promoter of the "30 minute study/start," I wanted everyone else to try it. Should have been easy for me, but I chose a rather ambitious subject. I'm still processing my workshop and pleased that some of my efforts last week are appearing in my work (painted at the last minute of our deadline of course!) I'm anxious to read what the others thought about using a timer and painting so rapidly. From the looks of it, they did a great job!



The Critique - study
9x12 oil on panel
©2010 Robin Cheers



The Weeper
5x7 oil on canvas
©2010 Suzanne Berry



Thea's Rock
13x13 pastel
©2010 Vicki Ross



Glance Back
12x9 oil on canvas
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin



Last Light
5x6 oil on board
©2010 Aaron Johnson Cordell


This month we welcome a new member too - hello to Sharman Owings!

Red Flag
10x8 oil on masonite
©2010 Sharman Owings

Morning Out

9x12 oil on panel

I loved this subject so much that I painted another view. I will have a good opportunity to paint more painters this weekend, as well as some horses, river, landscapes, etc. Tomorrow I am joining Plein Air Austin for their annual retreat. We're heading to a camp in Hunt, Texas (a few hours from Austin) and I can't wait for a little getaway. It will be relaxing as well as inspiring I think to be around many gifted artists all focused on one thing... creating art!

Moses Botkin Monthly Challenge

SPRING is in the air!

This month's challenge was suggested by Jeanne Illenye and it was nice and broad for our interpretation.

About a week ago I met the Plein Air Austin group for a paint out at a beautiful ranch near Kyle, Texas. The landscape challenged me, as always, and I turned my attention to my fellow painters. What can I say? I am a figure painter. My sketch there was loose at best. But I liked the idea a lot and so chose this subject as my view of spring! I wonder if Johnnie and Suzanne will recognize themselves?


En Plein Air
9x12 oil on panel
©2010 Robin Cheers

Spring Wonder
4x6 oil
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin

The Lost Ribbon
8x8 oil on canvas
©2010 Jeanne Illenye



Stretch
18x18 oil on canvas
©2010 Michael Naples



Spring
9x12 oil on panel

©2010 Vicki Ross

Easter Sunday
12x12 oil on canvas
©2010 Suzanne Berry

Lessons from the Masters

24x18 oil on linen - sold

I'm not sure this is the best photo but I sure enjoyed painting this scene and I'm very pleased with my work. The artist is copying Berthe Morisot's painting, "The Mother & Sister of the Artist." I did another painting of a similar view a month ago. And you will probably see more. I've been painting a series from the National Gallery of Art. Its a great deal of fun to paint the architectural space and all the people interacting with the art.

The Artist Within

20x24 oil on linen
on hold

I am so pleased with this painting. I was so excited when I saw this woman painting in the National Gallery of Art. I watched her for awhile. I watched the other patrons watching her. She is copying the painting "The Mother and Sister of the Artist" by Berthe Morisot.
The gallery was awesome in so many ways and seeing two of my most admired artists hanging side by side was awe inspiring. The other painting is Mary Cassatt's "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair".
This painting is to be entered in a contest. It will be available for sale later.

The Art of Inspiration

5x7 oil on panel
$100 + $11 s/h - sold

A few weeks ago, The Russell Collection Fine Art gallery hosted a show of Alexandra Nechita's imaginative works. On Saturday afternoon they had a children's reception where they spread large papers on the floor and the kids got to create their own works after looking at the gallery walls. This little girl was inspiring to me as well.