PALM TREES, OCEAN, PACIFIC COAST PLEIN AIR PAINTING

“KEYHOLE ROCK”
10x4 inch original oil painting

Parrots were making a racket outside my window as I packed for the plein air class where I did this painting. Parrots are really loud, did you know that? But they’re beautiful, especially when sitting on palm fronds in the morning sunlight.

I used to live in the Midwest, and I enjoyed painting outdoors there also. But I prefer Southern California. It’s truly a paradise, with scenery and color like this.

Putting emotion into your painting is what I feel plein air painting is all about. And capturing a true sense of the place. That’s something you can’t get in the studio.

When you try it you will realize there is nothing like the thrill of coming home with a painting that actually shows what you saw and felt that day!

It will always bring back fond memories like the cries of seagulls or the smell of the ocean breeze at this location. (At one point we stopped to watch a small lizard that scurried past our feet and paused to bask in the warm sun.) This is why I call plein air painting “making memories.”

We had a great workshop here and a wonderful day together. One woman brought a home-made cake baked to look like a sand castle, with brown sugar sprinkled around the base to simulate sand. Yummm. (Thanks Kathy!)

But back to painting. A strong painting starts in your head, not on canvas. And here I showed my students how to clearly identify what you want to express on canvas before picking up your brush.

For example I wanted to capture the panoramic grandeur of this scene, so I chose this long horizontal panel from among an assortment I had with me. I also showed everyone how to draw attention to the “keyhole,” a unique opening formed by erosion in the base of the cliffs.

(This place feels like something right out of South Seas Pirate novels like Treasure Island. In fact a small island to our right is actually named Treasure Island.)

To draw the eye to the keyhole formation I showed how we could view the scene from a vantage point where a strong contrast in light and dark values would naturally attract the eye. And I demonstrated how to anchor this dark and light pattern during the initial sketch while the idea was fresh.

Once we all had a good start on our canvases I continued helping everyone by explaining recipes for effective color mixtures, how to use the brush differently for various effects, when to use thick or thin paints and why, plus lots of other things.

One of the students suggested I should call my workshops “Plein Air Painting for Dummies,” because I make everything so easy. It IS fun and easy if someone shows you what to do. That’s what I do for my students, and it’s probably the reason my workshops are always full of happy painters.

In fact this is what has made my TV show catch on so quickly. I explain everything you need to know, from how to lay out your paints to how to hold the brush. I tell all my secrets, tips and techniques.

Recently I’ve been able to make 4 of these TV shows available on DVDs. The response has been overwhelming and I’m happy to be able to help so many artists get off to a good strong start with plein air painting.

The DVDs cost $30 each and I’m excited about all of them, but if you want to get just one I would suggest “BACK BAY.” In the “BACK BAY” video I show how to make a simple outdoor painting kit that costs nothing. It’s great, because you can try your hand at outdoor painting without wasting lots of money on unnecessary things like a French easel.

If you want all 4 DVDs I can give you a discounted price of $100 for the full set. To order just email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net. I accept PayPal or personal checks, whichever you prefer. Shipping is free anywhere in the USA.

If you are an artist I strongly urge you to try painting outdoors directly from nature. You’ll bring home valuable memories from every outing and you’ll be glad you tried it.

Happy painting!

Today’s thought to smile about:
Sand castle cakes

LANDSCAPE DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“SERENITY”
8x10 inch original oil painting
SOLD

There is nothing like the experience of painting outdoors directly from nature. In the videos of my TV shows I share the secrets, tips and techniques of how I paint on location. In the “Back Bay” video I use a special outdoor painting kit that doesn’t cost a cent. It’s perfect for a first-time outdoor painter because it eliminates the need for costly equipment like French easels or other specialized gear.

Each video shows a demonstration painted entirely on location and filmed in real time as I develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting. It’s the next best thing to being on location with me!

My first 4 DVDs are available at $30 each, with free shipping (to the US only). For a limited time I am offering all 4 for just $100 (a $20 savings). To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
Getting outside and enjoying the beauty of nature

SUNSET SEASCAPE PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Today’s painting: “SERENE SEASIDE SUNSET”
Size: 5x7 inch original oil painting
SOLD

There is nothing like the experience of painting outdoors directly from nature. In my TV shows I share all the secrets, tips and techniques of how I paint on location. And these shows are now available on DVD.

Each video shows a demonstration painted entirely out on location and filmed in real time as I develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting. It’s like being on location with me!

For a limited time you can get a full set of 4 shows on DVDs for just $100. This set includes the special show where I demonstrate an outdoor painting kit that doesn’t cost a cent. It’s perfect for the beginning plein air painter because it lets you try your hand at working outdoors without investing in any special equipment.

To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
A walk on the beach at sunset

CALIFORNIA OCEAN & PALM TREES PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Title: “COASTAL CONNECTION”
Size: 10x4 inch original oil painting

SOLD

An interesting story inspired the title for this painting. An elderly Japanese couple who were visiting the area watched as I set up my equipment to paint this piece. The gentleman struck up a conversation and asked permission to stand close and photograph the painting in progress.

His wife rarely spoke but I found the gentleman very outgoing and interesting, and we had an enjoyable time exchanging ideas on a wide variety of topics. It was instant chemistry; a natural connection.

He used the smallest camera I ever saw. The camera was about the size of a thumb-drive and he shot dozens of photos as I painted two different scenes. One painting was quite large, and they seemed to connect with it immediately. They bought it wet, right off the easel.

We had exchanged business cards and when I returned home I was amazed to find that he had already emailed me about 20 photos of this painting as it developed. I decided to share a few of them with you so you could see what they saw. Enjoy!

Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net if you would like to own this painting.

If you’re an artist, you might enjoy my CDs or the new set of DVDs that were shot live as I painted on location during the filming of my TV shows. Email me for details.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Connecting with new friends

SIDEWALK CAFE PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

Today’s painting:
“MORNING COFFEE”
6x8 inch original oil painting
Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net to purchase this painting.

Yesterday a group of artists joined me at a charming plaza in the city of Orange for my usual Saturday morning plein air workshop. At the edge of the plaza people were enjoying their morning coffee at umbrella tables near a decorative town clock. It was a charming setting and they became my models as I painted this from life during the workshop.

There is nothing like the experience of painting outdoors directly from nature. In the videos of my TV shows I share the secrets, tips and techniques of how I paint on location. Each video shows a demonstration painted entirely on location and filmed in real time as I develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting. It’s like being on location with me!

My first 4 DVDs are available at $30 each, with free shipping (to the US only). For a limited time I am offering all 4 for just $100 (a $20 savings). To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
Morning coffee at an outdoor café.

LARGE CALIFORNIA OCEAN & PALM TREES DAILY PAINTING

Title: “LAGUNA VISTA”
Size: 16x6 inch original oil painting
Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net to purchase today's daily painting of Laguna beach and palm trees.
SOLD

There is nothing like the experience of painting outdoors directly from nature. In my TV shows I share the secrets, tips and techniques of how I paint on location. And now the first four of these shows are available on DVDs so you can watch and study them at home.

In the “Back Bay” video I use a special outdoor painting kit that doesn’t cost a cent. It’s perfect for a first-time outdoor painter because it eliminates the need for costly equipment like French easels or other specialized gear.

Each video shows a demonstration painted entirely on location and filmed in real time as I develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting. It’s the next best thing to being on location with me!

My first 4 DVDs are available at $30 each, with free shipping (to the US only). For a limited time I am offering all 4 for just $100 (a $20 savings). To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
Seagulls effortlessly riding the wind

LAKEFRONT DAILY PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“SILVER WATERS”
6x8 inch original oil painting
Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net to purchase this painting.
SOLD

This peaceful scene was painted at Woodbridge Lake during my Saturday morning plein air workshop. The skies were slightly overcast, creating a silvery gray look to the lake. It was a perfect morning for painting outdoors and we set up our easels beneath large trees at the edge of the lake next to Waters Restaurant to paint this charming scene. I wish you could have been there with us.

There is nothing like the experience of painting outdoors directly from nature. In the videos of my TV shows I share the secrets, tips and techniques of how I paint on location. In the “Back Bay” video I use a special outdoor painting kit that doesn’t cost a cent. It’s perfect for a first-time outdoor painter because it eliminates the need for costly equipment like French easels or other specialized gear.

Each video shows a demonstration painted entirely on location and filmed in real time as I develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting. It’s the next best thing to being on location with me!

My first 4 DVDs are available at $30 each, with free shipping (to the US only). For a limited time I am offering all 4 for just $100 (a $20 savings). To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
A morning stroll on a quiet beach

SUNSET LANDSCAPE DAILY PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“LAST LIGHT”
6x6 inch original oil painting
Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net to purchase this painting.
SOLD

This little gem has many rich nuances of color that are too subtle to see on a monitor, I wish you could be here to see it in person. In fact I wish you could have been there to see this scene as I painted it. The final moments of light in the sky were breathtaking; truly one of the majestic wonders of nature.

If you are an artist I strongly urge you to try your hand at Plein Air painting. There is nothing like the thrill of capturing a moment like this in oil paints. To get you started, I now have videos of my first four TV shows where you can watch me capture different scenes on location.

And here’s a bonus. In the “Back Bay” video I demonstrate a special outdoor painting kit that doesn’t cost a cent. It’s perfect for a first-time outdoor painter because it eliminates the need for costly equipment like French easels or other specialized gear. In fact this may be the only plein air equipment you ever want. Even experienced pros will want to keep this kit handy for unexpected opportunities like I do.

Each DVD shows a demonstration painted entirely on location and filmed in real time. You will watch me develop the picture from a blank panel to a finished oil painting as I explain each step of the process. You’ll see and hear how I select the composition and block it in. You’ll watch as I mix my colors, use special brushwork to achieve certain effects, and much more. This will really get you started on the right track for painting outdoors, even if you’re a first time beginner.

Watch these DVDs on your TV or computer and paint along. It’s the next best thing to being on location with me! Each DVD is priced at $30, with free shipping. Special limited time offer: All 4 DVDs for just $100 (a $20 savings!) To order, email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
Finding an unexpected bargain