Sunday, December 25, 2016

"Echo Valley Cabin" Landscape, oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Echo Valley Cabin"  7x7 oil on panel     Sold


It's Christmas morning 2016.  The year is almost at an end and I think about all the great adventures I have had this year. All the wonderful time with friends and family. This painting was inspired by one of those times on a family outing to Echo Valley with my wife Ann, our kids and grandkids. I painted very fast,and very gesturally here to capture the feel of a blowing, cold and wintery landscape, then added the touch of warmth in the window of the cabin to give the feel of the comfort of home in harsh surroundings. That's the feeling our family gives us.....and that's the feeling that faith in a Savior gives us. After all, Jesus is the reason for the season.  Wishing you all the comfort of faith and family this Holiday season from our family to yours.



Wednesday, December 14, 2016

"Forest Light" Olympic National Park, oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Forest Light' 20 x16 oil on linen panel       Sold
Available through the American Art Co. 

This  painting was accepted into the Plein Air Washington Artists (PAWA) yearly exhibit at the American Art Co.in Tacoma WA. Every year the exhibit showcases a plein air painting accompanied by a studio work inspired by the plein air study. This year the theme was "A National Park Salute" to commemorate the National Parks 100 year anniversary.

"Dappled Trees"  plein air painting
done on location in Olympic National
Park.  10x6 oil on panel   $600
Available through the American Art Co.
The plein air painting that inspired "Forest Light" was done from the parking lot of the ranger gatehouse entry to Hurricane Ridge.

I participated as a guest artist in Paint the Peninsula again this year and was having a blast connecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Everyone was meeting at the lodge at Hurricane Ridge on this day of the event, After many miles in the van traveling to paint around the country I kept having issues with the van over-heating. I even had some repairs done in Colorado that I thought fixed the problem but found myself again stressing as the temp gauge rapidly shot past green into the red zone while waiting in the VERY long line to get into the park.

Rather than try to take the long and winding road to the top I just pulled into the parking lot by the gatehouse and painted what was in front of me while the van cooled down. The day was hot and there was plenty of shade to paint under. I didn't think much of the painting but got a good response from the other artists when they saw it.

This became my color reference and inspiration for "Forrest Light" which received the "Gamblin, Best Use of Color Award" from juror,  Jim McVicker at the awards ceremony.
Both paintings are currently available through the American Art Co. in Tacoma, WA.

Our annual studio tour was a big success as well this year but I have a lot of 2017 calendars still available! If you would like to order one just send a check for $10 for the first and $5 for any additional to ;

Robin Weiss
23771 Bond Rd.
Poulsbo, WA, 98371
or email
robinweiss@earthlink.net

2017 Desk Clendar

THANKS  =]











Monday, December 05, 2016

"City Walk" Seattle city oil painting by Robin Weiss

"City Walk" 12x8 oil on panel     Sold

I started this cityscape in my usual way of blocking in the composition and values as close as possible with an underpainting in Burnt Sienna. After letting it set a bit I go right in with color. The challenge was to render the gestures of the girls as they chatted while walking down the sidewalk on a sunny day in Seattle. This is a front lit scene which is more of a challenge for me than back lit figures such as the scene below, of figures walking down the sidewalk in Seattles, Westlake Center.

"Westlake Shoppers"  14x9 oil on panel
$700



You have to be careful  when laying in the rim light around the figures but facial features are more easily rendered in the back lit scene.


Again the most interesting thing in these compositions is the gestures of the figures. Try to vary movement of arms and legs. Make one figure the "Star" of the show that will draw the viewer in to your story. If one figure is looking directly at the viewer that figure should be the focal point and should get the most attention.

The best way to get good at gesture in your figures is to draw all the time!  Spend quality time with your sketchbook!  It will love you for it!  =]

Friday, December 02, 2016

"Curious Calf" cow painting by Robin Weiss

"Curious Calf"  6x8 oil on panel        Sold
This may be the last cow painting for awhile. I moved on to still lifes. Again this is from my Colorado reference taken this summer on a long loop road trip from Seattle, through Wyoming to Colorado and back.

One more plug for the Cole Gallery Holiday Open House upon us this Saturday in Edmonds! I'll be doing a painting demo around 4pm along with Michelle Waldele.......but it won't be cows!  =] Hope to see you there!