"The Poulsbo Rock" plein air painting and mixing green by Robin Weiss

"The Poulsbo Rock"   9x12 oil on panel   $600

 

Let's talk about green.  As a painter living in the Pacific Northwest it's of great benefit to get a handle on how to mix a variety of greens because lets face it , green can be boring if there is too much of it and you don't take the time to study the subtleties.

One painter is quoted,  "What spells green relief"? ... and answers R E D!"

While that's true, there's more to it than that.  There is also orange....but there is more to it than that!

I'm going to list some of my recipes for green but there is no substitute for careful observation, getting outside and painting from life. Remember that the eye loves variety in everything including color. 

If you need to go dark green fast and your looking for that northwest blue/green fir tree shade start by mixing Ivory Black and Cad Yellow Light.  Ivory Black has a lot of blue and can make a rich, dark green.  Tweek it with Cobalt Blue for more distance or a little red for deep shadow.

While I use mostly M Graham paint and love it for many reasons there are a couple other colors from other brands that I use. For a spring green that really pops I mix a modern yellow such as Azo or Hansa with Gamblin's Radiant Turquoise. Adjust with orange or red to taste.  

When I am painting the ocean around here or the Puget Sound I usually make a mix of Cobalt Blue and Viridian to start and adjust from there. Remember, to gray a color start by mixing in a little of it's compliment. ( opposite on the color chart )

There are many other ways to approach mixing greens and you can mess around yourself. If you want to see some great examples of green variety check any of Richard Schmid's landscape books.

"Morning Kiss" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Morning Kiss" 18x18 oil on panel  $1200
Available through the Scott Milo Gallery
360-293-6938

 

This painting was inspired by a camping trip to the Dosewallips State Park last summer. When I am camping it's much easier to get up before dawn and watch the sun come up on the river.  The thistles going to seed caught my eye in the morning light and I snapped a photo.

You can see this painting and many other fine paintings at the Scott Milo Gallery through June. check out the website HERE

"View of Jupiter" Florida plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"View of Jupiter"  10x20 oil on panel    $800

 

I was thinking of naming this painting "Toes in the Sand"  A reminder of how much I love my job! This painting was done during the Lighthouse Art Festival plein air painting competition in Tequesta, Florida 2024. I scouted this spot on a small island and came back the next morning. The city of Jupiter which is very close to Tequesta is visible in the background. 

I'm going back through my photos and finding a lot of paintings that never got posted. Seeing this one brought me back to that magical morning ...Just me , the easel, sun and sand, soaking up the beauty of this small piece of tropical paradise.  =]

"Blackbird Lovebirds" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Blackbird Lovebirds" 14x18 oil on panel   $1200
Available through the J G Gallery, Bainbridge Island, WA

 

I went back to photo reference from about 2016 to make this painting for the July show at the J G Gallery in Winslow. This show will be an all gallery artist exhibition of Bainbridge Island scenes, a favorite for local collectors. The show will open Saturday, July 5th for Art Walk. Hope to see you there!  =]

"The Mountains are Calling" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"The Mountains are Calling"  8x16 oil   $800
Available through the Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA.

Endless plein air painting locations in Sequim!  Driving around, I found a spot on the corner of Cays and Lotzegesell rd. close to the Olympic Game Farm with a view looking towards the Olympic Mountains in Olympic National Park.  

There was plenty of room to park off the road and set up to paint this scene. The only frustrating part was the guy who decided to start mowing the grass just as I set up....a loud ride on mower with no muffler!  Another reason to pack the headphones...

This is my second entry into the Little Gems Show sponsored by the Plein Air Washington Artists and hosted by the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA.  Check the website for more info HERE
 

"Hiking the Dungeness Spit" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Hiking the Dungeness Spit"  9x12 oil  
Will be available through the Scott Milo Gallery
for the "Little Gems Show"

 

The Dungeness Wildlife Refuge in Sequim Washington is a favorite painting location. As I have said in other posts, I love going there because the driftwood design possibilities change from season to season.

Driftwood is hard to paint!  You usually have to do a lot of editing. It gets confusing with all the detail which often needs to be severely reduced  or suggested but it works great as a design lead into a composition.

 I got the value changes from the water to the sand right but messed up proportions in the driftwood and had to fix things in the studio. I also added the figures from photos. Is it still a plein air painting?  I think so.  Feel free to leave a comment on how you feel about that.  

I have entered this painting in the Plein Air Washington Artists annual Little Gems Show which will open in August.  Check out the website for more info about this show and the PAWA organization.

Here are a few other paintings from the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge,

"Brew Fest" Poulsbo plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Brew Fest"  12x9 oil on panel  $600

 They call it Brew Fest but it's really a bike race that ends with a bear garden at the waterfront park in Poulsbo. I didn't know what was going on till I came to town for a morning painting session. I found this shady spot and set up. There are several design concepts I like about this composition. A strong vertical shape, the perspective of the street in the fore ground to draw you into the scene, an interesting distant back drop and a bit of story. I like the challenge of taking a non-descript scene like this and making a decent painting.  

"Monroe Street" Port Townsend plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Monroe Street"  9x12 oil on panel   $600

 

I was riding around Port Townsend on my scooter a few weeks ago looking for a spot I have not painted from before and this corner was where I ended up. There was a shady place under a tree and that clinched it for me. I have talked about this before. If you don't stop and paint you will drive around endlessly looking for the "perfect" location and no painting will happen...It's just the way we are..

Oh ya,  I bought an electric scooter. It's a Highboy and you can email me if you want the specifics. I got it at Best Buy for about $400. I should be walking for the exercise but this thing is not only fun it helps me cover more ground and not get worn out before I start painting.  I originally got it so I could park out of the newly voted in paid parking in Poulsbo and scooter into work at the Front Street Gallery when I have a shift. I am finding out that it can also be a great help in certain urban painting adventure settings. The one I have doesn't work well off road....but you can get one that does!  Depends how much you want to spend. 

"Clouds over Liberty Bay" Poulsbo plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Clouds over Liberty Bay" 6x12 oil on panel   $500

It's been fun going back through my Daily Painters Gallery to find other the plein air paintings I have done from this spot on Liberty Bay.  

It's one of those "Painters spots". A location that a painter would immediately recognize as a great place to paint. Hidden behind Liberty Bay Auto there is room to park and set up an easel but you wouldn't find the public hanging around here. Perfect!!

"Rest"

Here is a link to another blog post from this location called "Rest".

 

"The Sheep Barn" Bloedel plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Sheep Barn"  6x12 oil on panel  $500

 

Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is a magical place especially this time of year when the rhodies are blooming and spring is in the air. My last post talked about the art program at the reserve and you can learn more about it HERE.

This was the second painting I did on my Bloedel Reserve painting day last week.  As I was painting it was great running into my friend Darrel Anderson. Gigi Godfrey was on the grounds painting as well. Both artists are mentors in the reserve painting program and you can register to join us in classes or plein air painting days. Hope to see you there!! 

 

"Reflecting Spring" Bloedel Reserve plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Reflecting Spring" 9x12 oil on panel   $600

 

Spent some time painting at the Bloedel Reserve on a beautiful, sunny spring day last week.  If you get the chance to wander through the gardens and trails of the Bloedel Reserve you will not be disappointed especially when the rhodies are blooming in the spring!

Workshop 2024

The Bloedel Reserve has a lot of opportunities to explore art and creative pursuits with it's residency program and art classes and mentorships.  

I will be teaching a master class on plein air painting in the fall, most likely Sept. 30th and you can get more info and register HERE once the schedule is posted.

"The Red Rhodie" Poulsbo plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Red Rhodie" 9x12 oil on panel $600
Poulsbo plein air painting

 I've passed by this red rhododendron on the way to the coffee shop in Poulsbo hundreds of times. Can't believe this is the first time I have tried to paint it!  It was fun talking to folks as they walked by. One of the benefits of plein air painting....or not, depending on how comfortable you are talking and working at the same time.... I love it!

"Hostmark to Liberty Bay" Poulsbo plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Hostmark to Liberty Bay" 9x12 oil on panel  $600

Sheesh, I hate updates!  On anything!  Just seems to make everything harder to use, harder to see, harder to figure out....but I am rapidly approaching 70 so, guess I'm just another dinosaur complaining...Sorry!  (Blogger just did something to their interface.....=(

That out of my system.... about this painting...   It's Poulsbo. The nearest little town to where we live. Although rapidly growing and changing it is still a quaint little bayside town with a marina, shops, restaurants, art galleries and coffee shops.  Lots of tourists show up in summer.  I really enjoy painting in town and talking to people as they pass by. I spent an enjoyable day doing just that this week and have a few paintings to post.

  

If you are local or planning a visit to Poulsbo stop by the Front Street Gallery. You may see some of these paintings or drop me a message if you are interested..  =]

 

"Kingston Marsh" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Kingston Marsh" 6x8 oil on panel  $350

 

There is a salt marsh not far from home in Kingston that has always caught my eye as a beautiful natural  painting location. I have painted it from different vantage points but have not been very successful in getting a great painting from this great location.  I stopped again last week and did a small 6x8 study. The time of day and the light quality has a lot do to with how the painting turns out. It's a good idea to record time of day and location either in a notebook or on the back of the painting. I carry a marker in my back pack for that reason.

"Vern's Barn" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Vern's Barn" 8x10 oil on panel   $500

 

Another barn and another scene I drive by almost daily. It's only about 3 mins from my house but I drove around for an hour and covered about 40 miles before I gave up looking for an inspiring scene to paint. On the way home to work in my garden I saw the barn behind Vern's Topsoil With a spring cherry in bloom and jerked over to the side of the road.  Glad I did!  I'm thinking this might be a nice larger painting....What do you think?

"Kingston Farm" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

 

"Kingston Farm" 8x16 oil on panel  $800

A lot of the old barns around Kitsap County are falling down and being replaced mostly by steel buildings which are cheaper and easier to build. While some steel buildings are interesting I prefer the old, historical wood sided ones.

I have been driving by this farm on West Kingston road for decades. Last week I pulled to the shoulder and set up for a quick painting. One of the missions and traditions for us plein air painters is to document visually the history of our local area.  I have paintings of old barns that have disappeared from the landscape years ago but will live on at least in the heart and on the canvas of this wandering artist.

"Farm Stand Field"  11x14    Sold

"Poulsbo Boardwalk" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Poulsbo Boardwalk" 9x12 oil on panel 

 

Our little town of Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula is growing fast as it becomes an international tourist destination. You can tell if you go downtown on weekends. I still like to go early in the morning for coffee when I do my computer work and posting for this blog. Every now and then I will paint in town and you can see a number of Poulsbo paintings in prior posts. The boardwalk above is a favortite for dog walkers and early morning strollers. 

If you visit us be sure to stop by the Front Street Gallery. This co-op gallery is owned and operated by the artists. All local with a diverse selection of 2D, 3D art and local jewelery, glass and more!  

"Poulsbo Crossing" 9x12 oil on panel  $600

"The Rock at Point no Point" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"The Rock at Point no Point"  6x12 oil on panel   $500

 

Anyone who has spent a sunny summer day at Point no Point knows this rock. Especially if you have kids. I have been coming here for almost half a decade, since Maury was little and spent hours exploring and studying the wonders found in the tide pools around the "Big Rock". Now he is all grown up making his own art and I find myself hiking the back trail down to the beach on my own to spend a couple hours in the sun painting...and remembering.

This is a composition I am drawn to over and over here in the Pacific Northwest. Long format. Distant landmass fading into the haze. The elipse of beach in perspective with driftwood you can step onto as you enter the scene. 

"Eglon Beach, Fresh Air" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Eglon Beach, Fresh Air" 6x10 oil on panel   $500

 

As the weather was getting better and increasing "studio" fever was taking over, I was able to get out to some of my favorite haunts for some spring plein air. I took a couple cleansing breaths after unpacking my gear at Eglon Beach. There was nobody out there but the seagulls and a lone dog walker reminding me again how much I love to paint in nature from life. 

To get those dark northwest evergreens standing up behind the alders on the bluff I mix a tad of Cadmium Yellow with Ivory Black to start. Ivory Black has a lot of blue in it which makes a dark, rich green. After that you can tweek the color with Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue and tint with Titanium White to push the land mass into the distance. 

Check my website for workshop opportunities this summer.  There are a few coming up!  =]

"Skagit Clouds" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Skagit Clouds" 24x30 oil on canvas  $2500
Available through the Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA
360-293-6938

 

This larger landscape painting was an experiment. I have been working in my own studio at home recently. A much smaller space than I am used to and the fumes from oil painting are more concentrated.  Especially during the first stages of a painting where I use a lot of turp to "wash" the surface of the canvas with transparent color.  On this landscape I started with acrylic paint in the manner I used to start a lot of watercolor paintings by layering very thin washes of color. First Azo Yellow, then Alizerin then Cerulean Blue. After that I went in with saturated color and mostly finished the painting in acrylic. After letting it dry I went back in with oil paint, softening edges, adjusting color and adding texture leaving some of the acrylic passages.  I like the way it turned out and saved time and toxicity at the start of the process.

You can see this painting and many others at the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes where I will be showing new work with other artists in a group show opening June 6th. For more info check the website HERE

"Night Life" Seattle city painting by Robin Weiss and upcoming workshop at Black Barn Fine Art Studio

"Night Life"  30x15 oil on canvas
SOLD
Available through Alki Arts
206-395-5115

 

Nocturnes or darker paintings are the hardest for me to photograph.  This painting should really be seen in person and you can do that at Alki Arts in West Seattle. "Night Life" is part of a group exhibition showing through the month of April at Alki Arts.  See the whole show online or in person. For more info click the link HERE

On another note, if you are interested in taking a workshop with me, one is coming up in jsut a few days, April 26th at the Black Barn in Kingston WA. Register today online at Black Barn Fine Art Studio and lets paint together!

"Tower Walk" Seattle city painting by Robin Weiss and Alki Arts April show

"Tower Walk"  6x8 oil   SOLD

 

"Slices of Life, a group exhibition of local fine art is still on display at Alki Arts in West Seattle through the month of April.  Along with many of my recent Seattle city paintings is the work of local artists Brooke Borcherding, Brian Cameron, Christopher Mathie and others you will love!  

The opening on April 5th had the gallery filling up with art lovers and collectors excited about the fresh new work expertly currated and hung by gallery owner, Diane Venti.  Three sales on Saturday night to start this month long show really helped encourage the artists and made for some very happy collectors! There is still time to see the show in person or online!  Check out Alki Arts website HERE

"Pike Sreet Reflections" Seattle city painting by Robin Weiss

"Pike Street Reflections"  30x40 acrylic on canvas   SOLD
Available through Alki Arts   206-395-5115

 

Yesterday, Ann and I took another fun road trip to West Seattle via the Southworth ferry to bring recent artwork to Alki Arts.  The April exhibition "Slices of Life" opens Saturday, April 5th from 5-7pm and features work from local artists Brooke Borcherding, Brian Cameron and myself. It's always a fun time in West Seattle!  Hope you can come down and enjoy local art, music, wine and small bites with us!  

A happy rainbow appeared over a ferry leaving 
Vashon Island on our way home...  =]

"Pike Place Pit Stop" Seattle city scene by Robin Weiss

"Pike Place Pit Stop"  18x24 oil on canvas  SOLD
Available through Alki Arts     206-295-5115  

 

Feels good to be back painting Seattle city scenes.  A new exhibition at Alki Arts coming up in April has gotten me back into urtban figurative painting again.  The challenge requires a basic knowledge of perspective drawing. Another aspect is the figure in these settings. Ideally, non specific figures with interesting gesture and personality....It's easier said than done! 

If you find yourself in West Seattle, stop by Alki Arts in April to see "Slices of Life". For more info on the show click HERE.  Hope to see you there!  =]

"Bell Town Inn" Seattle City painting by Robin Weiss

"Bell Town Inn"  15x19 oil on panel SOLD
Available through Alki Arts  206-295-5115

  

I spent the night at the Bell Town Inn sometime in October to gather reference for city paintings which I am working on now. They are for an upcoming group exhibition at Alki Arts called "Slices of Life" Along with local favorite painter Brooke Borcherding and Oregon artist Brian Cameron we will be opening the show on April 5th from 5-7pm at Alki Arts in West Seattle. Hope you can make it!

"Coffee Commute" Seattle city painting by Robin Weiss

"Coffee Commute"  11x11 oil on panel  $800
Available throiugh Alki Arts  206-295-5115

This Seattle city painting will be part of a group exhibition at Alki Arts in West Seattle opening April 5th from 5-7pm.  If you are in town, stop by and enjoy the work of Brooke Borcherding and Oregon artist Brian Cameron along with many of my recent city paintings. There will be light bites, wine and music! Yay! Look forward to seeing you!
 

"Sound Access" original ferry painting by Robin Weiss and Alki Art's April exhibition "Slices of Life"

"Sound Access"  36x36 oil on canvas  SOLD
Available through Alki Arts  206-295-5115

 

Interesting the various stages of metomorphosis some paintings go through. Art historians and art experts have discovered many master paintings that were painted over other work. 

If a painting makes the rounds through all the galleries and venues and art competitions and does not sell, I can't leave it laying around the studio. Some smaller work that we really like will become part of our home collection, otherwise it gets gessoed over and repainted.

This painting started out as a commission with a completely different subject. The commission didnt work out for the client but the initial sail boat design ended up as this ferry painting which will be my featured piece in the Alki Arts April exhibition, "Slices of Life"  

Diane Venti owner and director of Alki Arts writes; 

  "April brings an exhibition of scenes of daily life, as masterfully depicted by artists Brooke Borcherding, Robin Weiss, and Brian Cameron. Each artist, with their own signature style, captures the moments, places, and feelings that make the memories that we hold dear to us.

If you are in West Seattle be sure to stop by the gallery for the opening on April 5th from 5-7pm. Always a fun time in the nieghborhood as many art lovers gather for music, wine and of course, some of the best, affordable art by local and national artists in Seattle!

"Olympic View" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Olympic View"  18x14 oil on panel  

 

It happens a lot around here. Especially in the winter months when snow comes to the mountains and the trees loose their leaves and open the vistas. You will be driving along, pop over a hill and be presented with a jaw dropping view of snow capped mountains, blue ridges and sparkling waters.  I drive down Lincoln Hill road a lot coming and going to town and every so often the skies clear, the light is just right and this view of the Brothers in the Olympic Mountain range across the Puget Sound will make me pull over and stare.. Somrtimes I have the presence of mind to snap a decent photo..

This painting is curently hanging at the Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo. Maybe you will see the mountains as you drive to town..   Hope so!  =]

"Look to the Sea" Port Townsend oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Look to the Sea"  14x18 oil on panel   $1100

 

Another view of the Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden in PT . I used the driftwood to lead the eye into the scene as I often do with coastal paintings in the Pacific Northwest. If you look closely you will notice a small figure, top, right ....looking out to sea...

Plein Air Washington Artists will be hosting a paintout at Fort Worden in September, 10,11,12,13 .  If you are planning on going, reserve your camp site now!!  They fill quickly!  Hope to see you there!

"Cascade Locks" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Cascade Locks"  16x20 oil on panel   SOLD

 

Ann and I took a little mini vacation for our anniversary in November. We booked an Air B&B in White Salmon for the night and then took a paddle boat ride on the Columbia river at Cascade Locks.  It was super fun and I got some good reference photos to work from in the studio. 

The captain of the paddle boat has been doing these tours for 40 years!  He even let me drive the boat for awhile..

"Point Wilson Lighthouse" Port Townsend plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Point Wilson Lighthouse"  9x14   SOLD

 

This is the time of year I take a second look at mediocre paintings that have been stacking up in the studio and work that has come back from multiple galleries unsold. I have very limited space for storing paintings. There are several options to deal with this issue.

I can go back in and repaint all or part of the painting. I can crop the the painting down for a better composition and at the same time make it more affordable or I can scrub the entire painting re-gesso it and paint an entirely new work. ( be sure to re-gesso an oil painting with oil based gesso) On smaller work I may even turn the painting upside down and paint directly onto the old painting leaving some of the prior work to show through. In the above Lighthouse painting I cropped it down. To the right you can see it as painted on location.

Big thanks to Mara at Mara's Gallery in Port Townsend for accepting my work and for the sale of Point Wilson Lighthouse!  I look forward to working with Mara and appreciate her support and encouragement!