For the past few years I have been painting at the Ridgewood Art Institute. Painting relaxes and inspires me, and I get to paint with some of the most talented people in the North Jersey Area...The Institute uses a style or method of oil painting called "wet on wet" and stresses traditional realism in painting and drawing.
Basically one trys to paint the entire canvas in one or two sittings while the oils are still wet and easy to blend. Critically Important when painting landscapes and the sun is moving and of course changing the lighting. We start with shadows and darks and just put blocks of color on the canvas to get the general shapes. Details and highlights are added at the end...The Importing thing is to get the general painting done quickly, then take your time, if you wish, with the details...The One or two sittings often runs into a week or two.
I also love to travel and have been in to photography for many years. Painting scenes and landscapes that I have photographed in my studio is great...I go in to put a few brush strokes in on a canvas, and all of a sudden four hours have gone by.
