Patrick Saunders

My latest art newsletter explores how every brushstroke in a painting affects every other. Knowing this can determine how we balance a composition, build context and solve problems. Sign up here if you haven’t already subscribed: patricksaunders.com/signup.html

"Mariposa"
• Oil on Linen
• 24" x 30"
• Private Collection

#artinstruction #arteducation #artinspiration #arttalk #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #figurativeart #figurativepainting #westernart #fineart

16 hours ago | [YT] | 5

Patrick Saunders

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features a piece by English artist George Hyde Pownall.

This is a small painting, yet beautifully captures the feel of late 19th Century London, when both horse drawn and motorized vehicles crowded the newly electrified streets. Looking at the piece, one can almost hear the sounds of the city.

Born in 1866, Pownall was well known as a musician, having studied at the Royal College of Music. His paintings focused on London Street scenes. He emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1914 were he continued pursuing careers in both art and music.

"Piccadilly Circus - Evening"
• George Hyde Pownall
• Oil on Board
• 6" x 9"
• c. 1890
• Private Collection

#artreview #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #georgehydepownall #britishartist #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #figurepainting #oilpainting #nocturne #cityscape

4 days ago | [YT] | 10

Patrick Saunders

I had a wonderful time at my painting demonstration this morning for the Outdoor Painters Society at the ‪@kerrartsculturalcenter5896‬. Lots of great questions and conversation. My thanks to everyone who attended.

“Horse Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 16” x 20”
• 2.5 Hours

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #demopainting #artinstruction #arteducation #oilpainting #equineart #animalportrait #portraitpainting #outdoorpainterssociety #kerrarts #KACC #PaintKerrville

6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 13

Patrick Saunders

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features a piece by Russian artist Nikolai Baskakov from the Museum of Russian Art.

This painting is such an excellent capture of expressions of joy. I also appreciate how Baskakov doesn't engage in any flashy application of paint. He embraces the natural textures inherent to oils and yet perfectly captures the feel of wood, grass and fabric. Notice how he will even draw back into the wet paint with what appears to be the back of his brush.

Born in 1918, Baskakov initially studied at the Astrakhan School of Art. After being drafted into the army, he then studied at the Leningrad Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and then the Ilya Repin Institute of Arts. He became known for his portraiture.

"Milkmaids, Novella"
• Nikolai Baskakov
• Oil on Canvas
• 47" x 90.25"
• 1962

#artreview #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #russianart #nikolaibaskakov #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #figurepainting #figureativeart #oilpainting

1 week ago | [YT] | 9

Patrick Saunders

When painting a vignette, don't invent the background, use what's actually there for a more interesting and believable piece. Sign up for my monthly newsletter for more art tips: patricksaunders.com/signup.html

#arttips #arteducation #artinstruction #oilpainting #fineart #westernart #portraitpainting #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Patrick Saunders

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a piece by Sir James Jebusa Shannon from the ‪@metmuseum‬.

The painting depicts the artist's wife reading to their daughter (at left) and another child (center). The title most likely refers to Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book, published only a year prior to the creation of this piece.

While every element is exquisitely painted, it's the numerous patterns depicted that keep our interest moving throughout the composition. The central figure's gaze commands our initial attention, but the rich gold of the tapestry contrasted against the blue creates a flow of movement around the figures. The gowns feature various patterns of polka dots, stripes and lace. The surface which the daughter is seated upon is yet another unique textile pattern, and the back of the chair features a strong geometric pattern as well. Despite all of this, Shannon retains a calmness to the piece, thanks to mostly softer edges and value contrasts.

Born in Auburn, New York in 1862, Shannon's family relocated to Canada when he was eight years old, and to England when he was 16. There, the artist became one of the leading portrait painters in London, one of the first members of the New English Art Club and a founder of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. In 1922, Shannon renounced his U.S. citizenship in order to accept a knighthood, and is often listed as a British artist.

"Jungle Tales (Contes de la Jungle)"
• James Jebusa Shannon
• Oil on Canvas
• 1895
• 34.25" x 44.75"

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #artreview #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #representationalart #realistart #jamesjebusashannon #portraitpaintings #figurepainting #figurativeart

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 16

Patrick Saunders

Texas artist friends, registration is now open for my painting demonstration October 25th at the ‪@kerrartsculturalcenter5896‬. I am judging the Outdoor Painters Society’s annual paint out and competition this year, and will do a demo and Q&A to close out the Paint Kerrville! 2026 show. This event is open to the public, with a $50.00 fee to attend, and registration is required. Go here to sign up: www.outdoorpainterssociety.com/event-6834894

“No Place Like Home”
• Oil on Linen
• 30” x 30"
• Private Collection

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #paintingdemonstration #paintingdemo #kerrartcenter #kerrarts #KACC #KerrvilleTX #outdoorpainterssociety #paintkerrville #pleinair #pleinairpainting #artexhibition

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Patrick Saunders

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a piece by John Singer Sargent from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

It's always a pleasure to see paintings like this in person, as the textural quality when lit in a gallery setting appears so different than in the controlled, perfectly even lighting used for reproductions. The angle you stand in relation to the painting also drastically changes your view of these textures. You can see just how thick the paint is, particularly in the lit section of the white wall.

"Courtyard, Tétouan, Morocco"
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Wood
• 1879-80
• 10.25" x 13.75"

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #saundersfinearts #artreview #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #representationalart #realistart #americanartists #johnsingersargent

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 10

Patrick Saunders

I mentioned in my workshop this past weekend that we should always be open to embracing mistakes in our paintings, and I was reminded of this piece. Way back in 2017 at ‪@PleinAirEaston‬, I leaned over this finished painting to grab a frame, and my t-shirt made contact, creating a perfect reversed print on the fabric. I think I liked the painting better after the mishap, and I really should have saved that shirt.


"Burst"
• Oil on Panel
• 6" x 8"
• Private Collection

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #oilpainting #floralpainting #hydrangeas #representationalart #realistart #pleinairpainting #pleinair

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 13

Patrick Saunders

Here is a small piece by Russian artist Nicolai Fechin from the ‪@FredJonesJrMuseumArt‬.

This is one of those paintings that has a different feel depending upon the viewer's proximity. When standing back, the face and hands appear to be carefully rendered while the background has an abstract quality. When viewed up close, the background takes on the thickness of cake icing, creating a beautiful dance of swirling colors. The application of paint on the face and hands is similar, but the smaller and carefully placed brushstrokes are what create the illusion of more rendered areas. There's no blending and no smoothing. The details are only suggested.

"Girl With Peaches"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Undated

Painting photo by ‪@Saundersfinearts‬

#artreview #artcritique #arttalk #arthistory #russianart #nicolaifechin #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #representationalart #realistart #portraitpainting #MuseumTourTuesday #oilpainting #westernart

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 8