SOUP, IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP”
5x7 inch original oil
To purchase this painting email me at: tombrownstudio@cox.net
SOLD

Thanks for looking. Have a tasty day!

DAILY PAINTING, DEMONSTRATION & CAREER TIPS BY TOM BROWN

“AFTERNOON PINES, BIG BEAR”
6x8 inch original oil painting
For purchasing details, email me at mailto:tombrownart@gmail.com

SOLD

In response to many requests for more step-by-step demonstrations of plein air painting, I invite you once again to look over my shoulder as I work. This piece was painted high in the mountains near Big Bear in the late afternoon. The golden-orange sunlight turned the pines a ruddy brownish green that I wanted to capture.

I knew these lighting effects were very temporary. So rather than take time to set up the full-sized easel I normally use in my TV shows and Plein Air workshops, I used the $20 pochade box from my CD “PLEIN AIR PAINTING MADE EASY.” It is entirely self-contained and holds a fresh panel, a wet palette of paints and my dipper cup. There is no setup time; I merely open the paintbox and I’m ready to go.

Using a diluted wash of ochre I sketched the composition, then quickly blocked in the darkest darks using a mix of cadmium red and ultramarine blue. I also indicated foreground shadows with a transparent wash of the same colors, emphasizing blue in the mixture.

The next step was the most critical. I “captured the fugitives” (elements that are likely to escape while I’m painting). In this case it was the colors of the pines, sky and distant mountain (step 3). By carefully placing these important color notes at the point where they intersected in the painting I was able to evaluate whether they worked well together. This was a key to colors throughout the painting.

Then I could proceed with confidence. As I worked I echoed key colors throughout the panel for color continuity and paid special attention to little touches of magic that charm the eye; details like carefully placed tree trunks and limbs, interesting edge treatment, etc. These factors keep a painting interesting over the years, and keep collectors coming back for more of these little treasures.

One of the key factors in a successful long term career as a fine artist is to keep collectors happy (no, make that THRILLED) with your work.

Paint first of all for yourself. Paint from the heart, whatever excites or moves your spirit. But only let collectors have your best work. This will reflect well on you and help create a large and loyal following.

I sell small paintings like this to enable new collectors to sample my work at affordable prices. Many times it leads to commissions. And when I accept a commission, I always deliver my VERY highest quality of work. And I always deliver in a timely manner.

If you want to keep collectors happy, you must paint from your soul. Paint what you love. Only then will your work thrill, excite and delight collectors. And in the end, you will both be happy.

Hope you like this short lesson. Let me hear from you if you found it helpful or interesting. mailto:tombrownart@gmail.com

FARMHOUSE AND BARN DAILY PAINTING, LANDSCAPE BY TOM BROWN

“RURAL CHARM”
6x8 inch original oil painting
Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net for purchasing details.
SOLD

APPLES & ORANGES, 8x10 INCH OIL PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“COMPARING APPLES TO ORANGES”
8x10 inch original oil painting
SOLD
To purchase this painting email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net

The part of this composition that most intrigued me was the refracted image that is seen through the glass of water. The orange is distorted in strange ways similar to objects seen through a fishbowl. It was a challenge to capture these effects in a convincing manner while maintaining a loose, painterly quality.

This painting will look great in any room of your home. Email me if you would like to make it yours. tombrownstudio@cox.net

LIMESTONE CANYON PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“LIMESTONE CANYON”
6x5 inch original oil painting
To purchase this, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.

This painting was done on location near a spot where we filmed one of my TV shows. It is a majestic setting. Very peaceful and far from the hustle and bustle of the city noises. When I am on locations like this it is easy to forget the cares of the world for just a brief moment and relax with nature as my only companion.

Have a peaceful day, and thanks for stopping to look.

CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR PAINTING

“OH, MY ACHING BACK”
8x10 inch original oil painting
To purchase this painting email me at tombrownart@gmail.com

These field workers labor in the heat of the sun the entire day, and it must be back-breaking work. I painted this from the edge of the field where they are picking, directly from life. These fields have been working farms until now, but soon they are scheduled to become housing developments and I wanted to capture this on canvas before it was gone forever.

Thanks for looking. Have a peaceful day.

VINEYARD, CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“THE ROMANCE OF WINE COUNTRY”
8x6 inch original oil painting
To purchase this, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.

SOLD

This is one of a series of plein air paintings I created on location in California Wine Country during a recent visit. I took the time to relax, recharge my creative batteries and capture the breathtaking views of vineyards and rolling landscapes.

Enjoy the view, and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine at the end of your day. Thanks for stopping to look.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Recharging your creative batteries

VINEYARD, CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“WINE LOVERS PARADISE”
8x6 inch original oil painting
To purchase this, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.

SOLD

This is one of a series of plein air paintings I created on location in California Wine Country during a recent visit. I took the time to relax, recharge my creative batteries and capture the breathtaking views of vineyards and rolling landscapes.

Enjoy the view, and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine at the end of your day. Thanks for stopping to look.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Sampling new vintages

CALIFORNIA VINEYARDS, WINE COUNTRY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“VINEYARD IN WINE COUNTRY”
8x6 inch original oil painting
To purchase this, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.
SOLD

California Wine Country offered memorable vintages and a refreshing change of scenery to paint while I was on a recent getaway. I took the time to relax, recharge my creative batteries and paint new scenery just for the sheer joy of it. Everywhere I looked there were new and exciting scenes to capture in oil paint, and I took full advantage of it.

This is another of the paintings created on location there, along with photos of the magnificent scenery. Enjoy the view, and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine at the end of your day.

Thanks for stopping to look.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Fresh vistas

PALM TREES & MOONLIGHT BY TOM BROWN

“MOONLIGHT AND PALMS”
10x4 inch original oil

SOLD

Remember the sense of peace you felt relaxing outdoors in the moonlight? The world is quiet. The air is sweet. A gentle breeze cools your face. Memories like those are what I wanted to bring to this painting. If this painting helps you recall those feelings, then I have succeeded. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

If you would like to make this painting yours, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net. Enjoy your day.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Romantic settings

HONEY JAR, CHERRIES, FLOWERS BY TOM BROWN

“SWEETNESS & LIGHT”
8x4 inch original oil painting

Emotional impact in a painting is more important than mere details to me. I paint from the heart, and what I wanted to capture in this little gem was simply color and light.

I loved the illumination of the honey jar and how the colors of these flowers contrasted with it. This one will add a joyful color note to any wall in your home. If you simply cannot live without it, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Finding joy in every day

ANTIQUE KODAK CAMERA CASE DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“A KODAK MOMENT”
8x10 inch original oil painting
This painting isn’t for sale; it’s a gift for a friend.

My friend found this ancient Kodak camera case in an antique store. He mended the handle and polished the worn leather before sending it to me as a surprise gift. I now have the case hanging on my studio wall and thought it would make a nice subject for a painting.

Ironically, when I was small my parents had a camera that fit this case. I still remember it well and this brings back wonderful memories for me. When this painting is dry I will ship it to my friend as a thank you. I think he might like it.

Have a wonderful day, and don’t forget to make some memories along the way.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Surprise gifts from good friends

FREEWAY LANDSCAPE DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“BEAUTY IS EVERYWHERE”
8x10 inch original oil painting
Click images for a larger view.
To purchase this, email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net.

SOLD

I was attracted to this scene by the contrast between graceful organic shapes of nature and geometric shapes of man made elements. I also liked the soft shadows on the freeway overpass that were cast by the trees, as well as the billowing clouds in the sky.

I feel that sometimes we tend to overlook beauty in the commonplace things like this that surround us on a daily basis. Thanks for looking; enjoy the view.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Finding unexpected beauty

PEACHES, CONTEMPORARY DAILY PAINTING

“JUST PEACHY”
5x10 inch original oil painting
Click image of the full painting or detail for a larger view.

A neighbor’s peach tree was the inspiration for this one. The tree is loaded with ripe peaches that just beg to be put into a painting or pie. Since I’m a disaster in the kitchen I chose to make a painting with these peaches.

Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net if you have a taste for this one, or if you’re interested in my DVDs or CDs on oil painting. Thanks for stopping to look; have a delicious day.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Juicy peaches, fresh off the tree

PALMS & HISTORIC ADOBE, PLEIN AIR PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“HISTORIC MONTANEZ ADOBE”
6x8 inch original oil painting

When I approached the caretaker for permission to paint on this property with my students, I was welcomed with a smile and told, “Make it your home.” It was the beginning of another wonderful day.

The Montanez Adobe is located in the historic Los Rios district of San Juan Capistrano near the famous mission. It was built in 1794 and is listed on the National Historic Register. Painting on this property was like touching a piece of history.

In this painting I was interested in capturing a special quality of light and color. It has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated, but if you click the images for a larger view you will get a better sense of the lush color and brushwork.

Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net if you would like to buy this painting or if you’re interested in DVDs of my TV shows where I am filmed painting on location. (By the way, thanks to everyone for the kind comments about my recent DVDs. Glad you like them!)

Today’s thought to smile about:
People with kindness in their hearts

MOONRISE, WATER, DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“MOONLIGHT MAGIC”
5x7 inch original oil painting
SOLD

In this painting I particularly wanted to capture the soft colors and tones of the early evening as the moon was rising. I wish the computer monitor could properly capture the subtle nuances in this piece. It has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated, but I wanted to share this with you anyway. This is another of my personal favorites. Click the images for a larger view.

Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net if you would like to buy this painting or if you’re interested in DVDs of my art instruction TV shows or my art CDs. (By the way, thanks to everyone for the kind comments about my recent DVDs. Glad you like them!) Thanks for stopping to look.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Moonlight reflections in water

PAIRS OF PEARS, CONTEMPORARY DAILY PAINTING

“PAIRS OF PEARS”
20x5 inch original oil painting

I hope you’re enjoying my “long horizontal” still life paintings as much as I enjoy painting them. They have a very contemporary look and fit well with any decor. Click the images for a larger view, and check the “detail” image to see the loads of juicy, rich color and brushwork!

Email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net if you have a taste for this one, or if you’re interested in DVDs of my art instruction TV shows or my art CDs. (By the way, thanks to everyone for the kind comments about my recent DVDs. Glad you like them!) Thanks for stopping to look.

Today’s thought to smile about:
The juicy taste of fresh fruit

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO & HUELL HOWSER

“SILVER SKIES OVER SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO”
6x8 inch original oil painting

SOLD

Just after completing this painting on location in San Juan Capistrano I met Huell Howser, who was filming a segment of his TV program "California Gold."

Here is a photo I shot as Huell was interviewing Stephen M. Rios during the show. We were on historic Los Rios Street, which was named for Stephen‘s great-great grandfather.

The Rios Adobe (shown in the background here) is the oldest continuously occupied residence in California and it has been occupied by the descendents of the original family for over 200 years. It was a memorable morning.

If you wish to purchase this painting email me at tombrownstudio@cox.net

Today’s thought to smile about:
Coming in contact with history

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