Learning From The Masters

"In The High Sierra" - Jack Wilkinson Smith Private Collection Courtesy of the Irvine Museum

Each time I take classes from wonderful artists and teachers they inspire me not just because of their skills and knowledge but because they share the work of other artists.

I not only get to hear what my teacher thinks are important points about line, composition, color, style, brushwork, etc.  but I can see how different artists have applied those points in their own work.

Those of you who have followed my blog, know that painting rocks has always been difficult for me.  In my last post I featured a recent painting I had done to study what rushing water looks like, but there were also lots of rocks.

After I had finished most of it, I decided to look to the masters.   I have MANY art books, but one of my more recent purchases is called "California Light - A Century of Landscapes:  Paintings of the California Art Club".   The book was written and edited by Jean Stern and Molly Siple.  It is a beautiful book filled with inspiring stories and beautiful colored plates of the work of some of California's most wonderful landscape painters --- from the past and also present day masters.

	Cascade

I was stopped in my tracks by this painting called "In the High Sierra" by Jack Wilkinson Smith (1873-1949).   Just look at the beautiful color of the rocks and of the rushing water.  

California Light

I know that my "Cascade" doesn't compare, but I will continue to use examples from the masters as I work on developing my skills and my ability to capture the color and the light and the composition as well as Smith did.

If you're interested in a beautiful gift for the holidays, you should consider purchasing, "California Light" for anyone who loves art or just enjoys lovely landscape scenery.  

It is available from the California Art Club or from Amazon.

California Light: A Century of Landscapes

Published for the California Art Club's Centennial, this beautiful 278-page book features the artwork and history of the CAC.

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If you haven't done so already, please feel free to sign up for my free email Newsletter.    Additionally, if you know hikers, campers, fishermen or other people who enjoy the outdoors and scenes of beautiful spots around the state, send them a link to the newsletter.  

Here is the link:
                                                                http://marianfortunati.com/email-newsletter

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