Daily Painting by Artist Dominique Amendola: Articles

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Thursday, August 20, 2015

The making of Three guys with a dog, oil painting by Dominique Amendola

Three guys with a dog

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

This painting came as a result of seeing a nineteen century painting of a streetscene with a lot of life in it. It was not a famous painting, but it was large, perhaps 3 times larger than Three guys with a dog. I saw it in a museum in France, and did not get an image of it. But shortly afterwards I visited the port of La Rochelle and was inspired to paint a street scene there.
At first I created a study for this painting of 11" x 14". Here it is below:

Study for Three guys with a dog

In France, everybody is smoking in the streets and my red jacket man is holding a cigarette. But in the final painting, I made this inauspicious item disappear:

Detail view of the study for Three guys with a dog

Detail view of the final painting for Three guys with a dog

You can see that in the final rendition, the cigarette is gone. You can also notice how there are more details in the final painting and things are more three dimensional.

In this artwork, there is life even in the background:

Detail views of Three guys with a dog (background)

Having done a study for this painting, the final painting came easily. When I have a complicated composition, this is usually my routine: I paint a full color study, after creating many sketches.

And of course the hero of the painting, the dog, is well described as seen below:

To purchase the original artwork:

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To purchase the original study for Three guys with a dog:

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Oil paintings executed in nature, with or without people, and beautiful color images, sometimes executed outdoors or in the studio. Some compositions are horizontal or vertical. Some pictures have beautiful skies with sunsets or blue horizons. Some paintings represent flowers, some water, some are green with grass and trees. Some will take you to exotic travel destinations, such as India.This is art. Figurative realism by contemporary artist Dominique Amendola : figures painting, landscapes painting and spiritual art, artwork for sale. Oil paintings for sale online. Virtual Art Gallery realism, figurative, landscape, spiritual art, by contemporary artist Dominique Amendola. Collection of figurative contemporary - Women - canvas oil paintings, acrylic paintings, pastel drawings. Oil painting on canvas, original paintings art. Artwork by Dominique Amendola for sale. Oil painting on canvas. Original paintings art for sale by Dominique Amendola

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To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

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Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Thursday, July 30, 2015

The making of 'Bird watching by the creek' oil painting on canvas by Dominique Amendola

Bird watching by the creek

My painting, "Bird watching by the creek" is actually a sort of excuse for painting a figure in nature. The colors and the facture are very impressionistic. The colors are cool mostly, except for the T-shirt which has a warm color, matching the hair of the subject. She is turning her back to us, and we can barely see her face leaving her features to our imagination, the same way we do not see any birds in this picture. She is watching and waiting quietly for water fowls but this is also left to the imagination.

The weather is uncertain making the light cool also.

In some of his paintings with figures standing in nature, Monet shows us the same type of tones, mostly cool ones, painted in nature:

The Promenade, Woman with a Parasol - Claude Monet

For the execution of "Bird watching by the creek", I used a palette knife. Painting with a knife is a completely different technique than painting with a brush. With a palette knife, I feel I can "dance" on the canvas and I am not able to express much details, which leaves room for more spontaneity.

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

You can see the stokes in these examples being painted boldly. Shapes are evoked but not described. They look like what they represent (grass. leaves) but it is only an impression. This is what impressionism means_giving an impression.

The term 'Impressionist' was first used as an insult in response to an exhibition of new paintings in Paris in 1874. A diverse group of painters, rejected by the art establishment, defiantly set up their own exhibition. They included Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and Degas.

An impressionist painting is executed outdoors rather than in the studio, or done from life, not from a photo or sketches.

To purchase the original artwork:

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To purchase a print of this painting:

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Contact me via email

To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

Commission an art work from Dominique Amendola

Get your portrait done

Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Thursday, July 16, 2015

The making of "the street guitarist" Oil painting by Dominique Amendola

The street guitarist

I used to take shots of people in the street and this guitarist was playing in California, trying his best to look and sound like Bob Dylan. That afternoon, he was sitting in front of a wall with his guitar case opened. I decided to make a painting of him. Again, this is a quick painting, executed in a day, spontaneous, Alla Prima. I first created a color sketch. The dominant color was going to be pale yellow akin to the sunlight; a cool morning sun, while the musician's face of a ruddy complexion shows how much time he spends outdoors.
Music is always a winning subject matter and since I had created a previous painting with musicians, this one was also going to keep in the same mood. The style is impressionistic, I gave myself three hours to finish the actual 8" x 10 "painting!

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

You can see that this is executed boldly with thick paint, quickly.

I paint from the life model once a week, and this is important to understand how to paint from a photo or from imagination. There is the understanding of the different planes and what makes a volume. And there is the understanding of the correct colors applied rapidly without much preparation. Therefore, the painting comes out more spontaneously.

I framed this painting in a very classical frame, especially suited for impressionism. At the Orsay museum in Paris, a whole floor is dedicated to the impressionists. The frames used are varied but the above type of frame is the most common. Below you can see one of Renoir's beautiful still life framed in this frame genre.

Renoir, Onions, 1881

To purchase the original artwork:

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Contact me via email

To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

Commission an art work from Dominique Amendola

Get your portrait done

Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Thursday, July 9, 2015

The making of 'Musicians practicing on the doorstep' oil painting by Dominique Amendola

Musicians practicing on the doorstep

'Musicians practicing on the doorstep' is a small painting painted on canvas. I was inspired to paint those two musicians by hearing their music. The beauty of the instruments was particularly inspiring. The cello especially is beautiful and noble.

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

Having a physical space to create paintings is very important. The place should be big enough not to collapse into different easels. I like to work on several paintings side by side_up to three. And a high ceiling is conducive to higher thinking. When I started my small paintings, I already had many years of painting large compositions on canvas, in a very classical fashion.
I wanted to produce some more affordable art in a quick style, mostly called 'Alla prima' which is painting in one jet, one coat and no glazes. I was used to underpainting and many preparatory sketches. Here I am just painting quickly, trying to finishing a piece in a day or two.

'Musicians practicing on the doorstep' focuses more on the instruments than the figures. But again, here I pay particular attention to the composition:

Lots of vertical and horizontal lines giving a sense of stability. A sense of depth created by the steps and the dark door opening. Barely any colors except in the instruments and the blue shadows.

The above mentioned painting is framed in black:

To purchase the original artwork:

BUY THIS PAINTING

To purchase a print of this painting:

BUY A FINE ART PRINT

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Contact me via email

To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

Commission an art work from Dominique Amendola

Get your portrait done

Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Thursday, July 2, 2015

The making of 'The Bathers', oil on wood by Dominique Amendola

The bathers

'The Bathers' is a small painting painted on wood. However, that same painting was commissioned in a longer and larger format by an art collector from Switzerland. You can see that other version below:

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

'The Bathers' is an entire painting based on colors, brush strokes and composition. The first version (the version we are discussing now) is quite impressionistic in its execution.

The brush strokes are strong using raw colors. Those juxtaposed strokes of colors give an impression of realism, but if you analyze it, it is not very realistic.

Detail view 1

Detail view 2

Detail view 3

In my youth, I visited many exhibitions in Paris and went to the Louvre museum countless times. I have some of the famous paintings imprinted in my psyche. I really think this little painting's composition was inspired by The Raft of the Méduse by Theodore Gericault'. (I saw that masterpiece many times at the Louvre.)

The Raft of the Méduse by Theodore Gericault'

The above mentioned painting is evidently painted in a very different style, but the composition contains some similarities:

Notice how many horizontal lines give a sense of calm and peace and the triangular compositions give a sense of stability.

Fortunately this artwork depicts some happy bathers, not a party of shipwrecked people on a raft. It is executed quickly and cannot compare to a classical painting. The intention here was to convey a group of friends having a great time on a hot afternoon in a contemporary impressionist style.

To purchase the original artwork:

BUY THIS PAINTING

To purchase a print of this painting:

BUY A FINE ART PRINT

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Contact me via email

To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

Commission an art work from Dominique Amendola

Get your portrait done

Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Thursday, June 25, 2015

The making of "Farmers Market", a small oil painting created in France by Dominique Amendola

Farmer's market- Selling vegetables

I was born in France and I often go visit. I love going to the market and see all the wild animation there. This painting was created in winter. Everyone is wearing a coat or a jacket.
When I create a painting with many figures, I don't just take a photo and paint it. No. I create a painting with what I decide will work, with many sketches if necessary.
In this case the painting is small and quick. Those small painting will take a day or two to paint.
Now, about the quickness of creation: it make take a few days for me now, but it took me years of studies and practice to get there.
However, even for this small painting I produced a few sketches.

There are many details which are important in this piece. The man in yellow jacket is fumbling for his change, while his companion is looking at this anxiously.

If you click on the image, you'll get a larger view.

I like to paint people subtle emotions. I do that a lot in my paintings. This is what gives life to them.

Again, in this painting, I am focusing on the foreground, the action, with my colors. The rest is painted in nondescript grays. Note also that the yellow jacket has its complementary purple/violet in the man with the purple jacket.

The vegetables play a part as well. See how the pumpkins and lettuce in a bag are painted realistically, while the lettuces and potatoes in the foreground are not paid much attention. Again it is a matter of getting the eyes to focus on what I desire.

Again this artwork is carefully composed. See the diagram below:

You could say that being trained in some of the greatest art schools in Paris, my approach is classical, even for small paintings.

To purchase the original artwork:

BUY THIS PAINTING

To purchase a print of this painting:

BUY A FINE ART PRINT

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE ART? WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER ORIGINALS OR PRINTS DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST? PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: http://dominiqueamendola.com

Contact me via email

To see more art go to my site:

http://dominiqueamendola.com

Commission an art work from Dominique Amendola

Get your portrait done

Dominique Amendola-California, US, India, France, Classical realism and impressionism figures and landscapes painter

Monday, February 14, 2011

Buying art directly from the artist

The art of buying art directly from the artist

Buying contemporary and original works of art can make your world a better place. Art can enhance you home or working environment and it can help support an artist’s career.

The best reason for buying art should simply be because you like it, and - like buying anything else of quality – it is worth trying to buy the best you can even if it means stretching your budget slightly, or paying in instalments.

Buy works you genuinely like. Before you buy, ask yourself: “Will I regret buying it? Do I want many varied works or a few very distinctive pieces? Will it fit the space I have in mind?

Evidently it might be a good idea to research the price range of the sort of work that you like and fix your budget.

Buying directly from an artist is very different than buying from dealers. It usually means you get a better deal since you do not go through a third party and you get to ask questions directly from the artist about his or her work.

The first thing is to make sure the art is original, not a copy of somebody else’s work.The fine art marketplace is complicated and hard to understand if you don't know your way around. It's full of products that look and sound like original art, but are actually reproductions, and no more original than newspaper or magazine illustrations. Ask the artist if his or her work is original. Get informed and learn about art culture, go the museum.

In this blog you are offered original paintings on canvas or wood by the artist Dominique Amendola. All the paintings presented are originals created by the artist.

Buying Art Over the Internet is easy to do and the latest fad.
Buying art with a keyboard and mouse is the new frontier of collecting. Learn basic facts about how online art buying works, how it differs from buying art in traditional ways, and how to progress from looking at art for sale to locating art you like and considering specific pieces for possible purchase.

The more extensive the artist's online profile, the better. Yes, the artist's website is important, but equally important are third-party websites that review the artist's work, feature the artist, offer the art for sale, and so on.

A quick word about bargaining. Suppose for some reason that you still want the painting after all's said and done, but would rather pay a little less for it. Art prices are often flexible and making an offer is certainly an option, but don't bargain purely the sake of sport. Make sure that you have a good reason for wanting a better price and that you can make a case for your request. Experienced collectors do this all the time. They know that artists are much more likely to reduce prices based on good solid arguments than they are to lower prices just because buyers want better deals.

To see more art go to my site:http://dominiqueamendola.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Random advice on painting the classical way

Classical paintings at different stage of creation

Modern art is like the enemy of the classical artist. But this enemy could be its best friend also because a modern artist or art critic will tell you frankly what they think of your art and you’ll have a totally different perspective, a different point of view. But in general I would say that realism meshes with contemporary modern art with difficulty. Modern bright colors and hue contrasts destroy the subtle vision of the classical painter. Unfortunately this is what is happening to a lot for art lovers too, who are bombarded with modern art and end up having blunt senses and often become unable to appreciate good art. Most people have to be told what is good art, especially when it comes to abstract or contemporary art. It actually takes a full on classical training to understand what is abstract art and contemporary modern art.
Classical realism or figurative art is what requires the most abilities and technical expertise. This is what I'd like to talk about today and give some random advise to those aspiring realist painters.

I always start my paintings with a sketch. It is very important to understand composition in this case, the lines, the positives and negative spaces.
As far as brushes are concerned, you should have many brushes so that you would not lose time washing them while working. Take a new brush for every new mix. Brushes should be treated very carefully. After every session they should be washed in turpentine or paint thinner and after that in warm water with soap. When drying them it is better to dry them in an horizontal position so that water does not run inside the ferrule and rust and unglue the delicate work inside there.
After work wash the palette with turpentine and scrape it with a razor. Before work wipe the palette with linseed oil. That will allow the new paint mixes to be cleaned easily.
The canvas should be primed additionally a few more times with gesso or flake white. Finally it should be ground with fine sandpaper. After that the canvas should be scraped with a razor to remove the canvas texture till smooth dead surface similar to the egg's surface is achieved.
The drawing is made on paper and life-size to the smallest details. Then it is transferred to the canvas by carbon-paper. After that the drawing is outlined with brown ink because the first oil layer, called Grisaille (transparent coat that is equal to the middle tone of largest, lightest object in painting) - will wash away the pencil, but the ink will remain visible almost through the last layers. I do not always do this, but always have brown outlines in oil paint and turpentine. Those will also last to the last layer if you let them dry and are careful.
Before each new layer the canvas is carefully wiped with linseed oil. After that the canvas is wiped with a soft piece of cloth to remove the excess.
There are many mediums on the market and I prefer my own Maroger medium made at home, the Titian formula with wax and the Rubens formula with mastic varnish, resembling honey.
The basic set of paints is the following: Flake White, titanium white, Yellow Ochre Light, Red Ochre, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber Ivory Black, Naples Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Deep, Madder Lake Deep, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, viridian green .
For the grisaille layer or the first paint layer: The canvas is covered with a liquid mixture based on Red Ochre, Yellow Ochre Light and Ivory Black and flake white.
The shadow (the process of creating intermediate layers) is made with Burnt Umber. In the second layer all details are made excluding the texture. In the third layer of the main tone masses is made with a big brush.
The light is made with white lead ( flake white), light ocher, red ocher, and burnt umber. The aim of this layer is to create shadows. The picture must look as if its objects were lit with moonlight - olive cold gray color. Colors are applied thickly, half a tone higher, shadows are very transparent, half a tone lower.
The first and the second flesh tones: main life colors layers is made half a tone lighter and two tones lighter in colors; and half a tone darker and two tones lighter in shadows.
Details of textures, thickly applied highlights, bright reflections. In this layer you may use additional paints: blue, red, yellow (cadmium yellow deep), madder and more.

Voila, that is the general gist of creating a classical painting. My last advice is rules are made to be broken. Learn the classical way and then find your own style. And don’t just paint “Things”, paint with your heart.