Brushing up on your Brushes with Randy Sexton

Tune in to our latest podcast episode as we sit down with landscape painter Matt Smith to delve into the depths of artistic inspiration. From reflecting on childhood memories to embracing the beauty of your surroundings, Matt emphasizes the importance of painting what you love and finding inspiration in your own world. Join us as we explore the art of celebrating one's unique perspective and the transformative power of connecting with nature through painting. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. To see Matt's video tutorials through TAAO, visit ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video⁠ For more from Matt Smith see ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-online-workshop⁠ If you are interested in more free content make sure to visit our blog at ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog⁠ Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/⁠ Facebook ⁠https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline⁠

Eric shares invaluable insights into the art of simplification in painting, emphasizing the importance of conveying a concise message rather than overwhelming detail. Tune in to learn more about Eric's digital download series and upcoming online course with the Tucson Art Academy Online. Don't miss out on this enriching discussion! ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/eric-jacobsen-instructional-video-how-to-paint-landscapes⁠ About the Artist: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life. Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished. To see more from Eric Jacobsen, visit: ⁠⁠https://www.jacobsenfineart.com/⁠⁠ If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at: ⁠⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

Join us for a lively conversation with Eric Jacobson, an experienced painter and teacher with over 27 years of expertise. In this episode, Eric shares valuable insights into the challenges artists face, particularly focusing on shape drawing and color temperature. He emphasizes the importance of understanding positive and negative shapes and suggests practical exercises to improve drawing skills. Tune in to learn more about Eric's digital download series and upcoming online course with the Tucson Art Academy Online. Don't miss out on this enriching discussion! https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/eric-jacobsen-instructional-video-how-to-paint-landscapes About the Artist: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life. Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished. To see more from Eric Jacobsen, visit: ⁠https://www.jacobsenfineart.com/⁠ If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at: ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/⁠ ⁠https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

Earlier this month, artists Mitch Baird, Eric Jacobsen, and Gabor met up at a Plein Air Painters of America convention. While there, they discussed why cultivating a crew of likeminded artists is so vital for the creative process. About the Artists: Eric Jacobsen was born and raised in New England. He received a BA in History from Gordon College in Wenham, MA in 1989 and studied fine art at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT from 1991-1995. At the Academy he received training in the Beaux Arts tradition of drawing and painting from life. Eric's true inspiration is the amazing beauty that he sees in nature. Jacobsen is a “Plein Air” painter. He takes his oils wherever he goes, setting up on site, working until his painting is finished. Mitch Baird is a Signature Member of the following organizations: Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Societ and current President of the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA). As a representational painter he believes that painting is a celebration of life and the beauty that surrounds us. Seeking out this inspiration, Mitch works directly from life to capture the qualities and nuances of natural light and color harmony. He has a strong conviction that great artistic communication depends on solid draftsmanship, design and vision. If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

In the final part of the conversation between David, Colley, and Gabor, the three dive into the contemporary painters they admire and Colley asks David about some of the specific techniques he uses while painting. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997. Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles.  To learn more about David Curtis, check out his website: ⁠https://www.djcurtis.co.uk/⁠ If you want to learn more about Colley's 365 Day Online Mentorship Course with TAAO, visit: ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/colley-whisson-online-workshop⁠ If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at ⁠https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline⁠

Continuing the conversation from last episode, Gabor, Colley, and David discuss how they feel inspired on the field, what music they listen to when they paint, and the importance of developing your drawing skills. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997. Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles.  To learn more about David Curtis, check out his website: https://www.djcurtis.co.uk/ If you want to learn more about Colley's 365 Day Online Mentorship Course with TAAO, visit: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/colley-whisson-online-workshop If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

It was our treat to record an insightful discussion between Gabor, Colley Whisson, and acclaimed British watercolour and oil painter, David Curtis. This conversation is broken up into three parts, the first of which is recorded here where the three consider the joys of painting outdoors and the benefits of sharing your work on the internet. About the Artist: Born in Doncaster in 1948, David headed an engineering design team until 1988 when he became a full time painter.  He was elected to the Royal Society of Marine Arts in 1983 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1988. In 1992 David won the first prize in the Singer & Friedlander/Sunday Times Watercolour Competition and the second prize in 1997. Essentially a ‘plein air’ and figurative painter, working in both oils and waterclours, he observes transient lighting conditions and effects of atmosphere in his compositions.  David is the author of ‘A Light Touch, the Landscape in Oils’ and ‘The Landscape in Watercolour – A Personal View’ both published by David & Charles.  To learn more about David Curtis, check out his website: https://www.djcurtis.co.uk/ If you want to learn more about Colley's 365 Day Online Mentorship Course with TAAO, visit: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/colley-whisson-online-workshop If you are interested in more free content from TAAO make sure to visit our blog at https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

All scenes are comprised of abstract shapes - the key is to spot them, and render them artistically. Artist Matt Smith and Gabor also discuss the difference between representing visual reality and photo-reality, pointing to the work of artist Daniel Sprick as a good example of someone who's work is highly rendered, yet still based in the foundational principles of composition. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel. To see Matt's video tutorials through TAAO, visit https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video For more from Matt Smith see https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-online-workshop If you are interested in more free content make sure to visit our blog at https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ Facebook https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

Not all oil painters are the cleanest when they get out into the field and paint. Matt shares with you some tips about how to organize and keep your brushes so you can get the best results on the canvas. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel. To see Matt's video tutorials through TAAO, visit https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video For more from Matt Smith see https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-online-workshop If you are interested in more free content make sure to visit our blog at https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ Facebook https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline

One of the largest issues that Matt sees his students struggle with is perspective, specifically finding the horizon line. About the Artist: Matt Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from Arizona State University. Somewhat frustrated with the abstract focus of the program at ASU, he began looking to outside sources for inspiration and guidance. These sources included fellow artists, fine galleries and museums. This is where his "real" education began. These days, Matt can often be found painting en Plein air from southern Arizona to the Canadian Rockies, from the California coast to the Rocky Mountains. "I appreciate traditional landscape painting and I am inspired by the pristine landscapes of the American West.  I enjoy working in areas where one can travel for miles without seeing the influence of man.  When I paint, I feel I've hit the mark when I've captured a balance between mood, look and feel. To see Matt's video tutorials through TAAO, visit https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video For more from Matt Smith see https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-online-workshop If you are interested in more free content make sure to visit our blog at https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/blog Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taaonline/ Facebook https://business.facebook.com/TucsonArtAcademyOnline