A Passion for Small Paintings

Back to Tuscany June 2010

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:37:00 +0000

I am thrilled to be going back to Tuscany in June of 2010 to teach two painting workshops! I will be teaching Watercolor Sketching and a Plein Air Painting Class in Oils. Both workshops will be based out ofSpannocchia a working organic farm and "green hotel". I will be posting more information in the coming weeks but I wanted to put the word out. If you are interested in taking one or both of the workshops, please contact me at linda@lwarnerconstantino.com.

I am attracted to painting in Italy for many reasons: I was an art history major in my undergraduate studies and Italy is so alive with a history richly steeped in the arts। The food is a cultural experience in itself. Dinner at Spannocchia is a wonderful way to relax and share the day's experience. Finally, there are so many views to paint. Great memories to take home.

Lovely Lemons

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:12:00 +0000

In the midst of working on some commissioned paintings from photos and small studies, it was fun to take a break and paint from life and paint this small study of lemons. Yellow is always a challenge for me to paint.

Two Tuscan Cedar Trees

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:22:00 +0000

I am busy painting scenes of Tuscany for a potential client and couple of shows coming up. I am working from photos as I am no longer in Italy but many of the places I have either sketched or painted or at least spent time in the location. In other words there is a real connection with the subject matter. I find this makes painting from photos so much more viable for me. Also, they are my images not someone else's. As an illustrator I have often worked from what I refer to as "alien" reference. While I learned to make it work for me I was never really comfortable unless I shot my own reference. I have been interspersing the work from photographs with still lifes done from life(which I will post eventually). I do this to keep the connection of working from life viable for me. I am not sure this makes sense to others but for me the direct experience of painting from life is the most fulfilling, and yet there was a time when working from life was utterly terrrifying.Hmm.

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:38:00 +0000

I do not know where my summer! I returned from Italy and just got busy. I taught an intensive 5 week schedule at SCAD and was doing some design work. I am back into my painting now and have had the time to photograph some of the paintings from my trip to Tuscany this past June where I taught a plein air painting workshop.

This is a quick little painting I created. The view looks at some farmhouses surrounded by vineyards. It was late afternoon and things were just starting to go golden. No matter what the day was like painting it was always nice to come back for the wonderful dinners at Spannocchia. Everyone chats about there day and casually enjoys dining. I loved it!

San Galgano

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:10:00 +0000

This little building at San Galgano, Italy was irresistible. It had rained earlier in the day and in the early evening all the greens were so saturated. I find painting greens always a challenge.

plein air painting in Tuscany, small painting

Painting with Portland Grays

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:22:00 +0000

Here is a demo painting I did one day of the Plein Air Painting in Tuscany workshop using the Gamblin Portland grays. I think it was a good exercise to help students see value. I used portland gray light, medium, deep, chromatic black and titanium white.I layed in the grayscale painting first painting thinly and then added the local colors in afterward. The day was a bit hazy and lent itself to focusing on a range of values rather than strong plays of light and shade.

You can see the grayscale stage of the painting in this photo.

Sunny Doorway

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:43:00 +0000

This is a doorway that I love at Spannocchia with the grapevine growing around it. I was struck with its casual kind of beauty.

At Spannocchia!

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I am Italy preparing for my Plein Air Painting workshop this coming week. Please check out my Plein Air Painting in Tuscany blog where I will be posting photos and paintings.

Between the Showers

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:03:00 +0000

When I woke up this morning it looked ominous. We have been having a lot of rain lately, but it cleared and got very hot around 8:30 am and out I went. This location is actually behind the local mall! I tried to work quickly but without reworking my strokes. I have found with gessoboard it helps to use a medium (classic - mineral spirits, stand oil, linseed oil) otherwise the porous nature of the board sucks the oil out of the paint and looks chalky the next day. I also like the consistency of the medium on this surface. When painting on oil primed linen I usually do not feel the need for a medium.

Sunny Trellis

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:13:00 +0000

I certainly have been out of the loop with my blog but I am back. It was a very crazily busy winter and spring quarter at school. I did take a watercolor workshop in Fallbrook California with Joseph Zbukvic who was a wonderful teacher and very professional. I will be posting more paintings on by watercolor blog when I return from my workshop in Italy.

Yes!! In just two weeks I will be teaching a plein air painting workshop at a small working organic farm in Tuscany called Spannocchia. If all goes well I will make it an annual event.

The painting above is a small study I did in my friend Lynn Parrot's back yard. I liked the way the sun was hitting the trellis.

Girl in a Straw Hat

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Copyrighted © by Linda Warner Constantino. 8" by 10" oil on canvas board.

Girl in a Straw Hat

I like to put up a portrait study every once in a while. I was never brave enough to be a full time portrait painter but I do love painting portraits.

My quarter is nearly over the winter session at school which was totally hectic. I need a break even if it is only a week.I am excited that I have enough participants for my Plein Air Painting in Tuscany workshop. We are going the last part of June.(There is still some room if you are interested.) I think it will be beautiful and most memorable. I love to travel and for me plein air painting is such a great way to savor the memories of a particular place. There is a remote chance I will be painting in France too, this summer. If it works out I will of course funnel the experience through this blog so stay tuned.

Hilton Head Art League 2009 National Juried Show

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:27:00 +0000

Citymarket

I am trying to enter more juried shows this year as time allows. This painting made it into the Hilton Head 2009 National Juried Show that was juried by Craig Srebnik.

Also, I am honored to be the featured artist for the month of March International Plein Air Painters webiste.

Olives

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:41:00 +0000

"Olives"

6"by 6" oil on gesso board.

$100 plus $5 shipping. Email me if interested.

It's hard to believe I have not posted in almost a month. I am teaching an overload at school and designing and illustrating a wine label. It has been just crazy!

So getting back to the easel has been approach/avoidance. I wanted to paint but was afraid I forgot everything. Why is that? I also did not know how I would paint it. There is part of me that can be as tight as a botanical illustrator (in watercolors at least) and another part of me that so enjoys a loose painterly approach to realistic subject matter.

I decided to photograph the stages of this painting on the left. Of course this put the pressure on it to be a great painting but I decided to do it anyway. I am still mourning the loss of my good camera that I dropped in the tub a few months ago(do not ask). The camera I am using is alright but does not take as good photos. Anyway, here are the stages.

Small Boats

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:20:00 +0000

I painted this about two weeks ago but never got a chance to post it until now. I like it better now that it has "aged" a bit. I love painting boats in the harbor but compositions are always tough, lots to simplify.

I recently painted some larger paintings but I still prefer small ones because you are forced to keep things simple.

Measuring Up

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:43:00 +0000

It has been a hectic start to the school year and I am teaching an overload, so painting time is at a premium. I have committed to attending life drawing classes for two hours on Monday nights. I feel it is important since I do teach portrait illustration and I enjoy it. I am a bit rusty but I am hanging in there.

I am also teaching an illustrating the edible class which is fun because it is all about food and since I a paint still lives, I love it. I painted these measuring spoons, well just because. I use them often but they all of a sudden seemed like something interesting to paint. It's funny how you can look at something over and over again and then one day you see it in a totally new way.

I a currently showing my work at Shop SCAD and the Hilton Head Art League Gallery and recently sold paintings. I guess I was kind of surprised with the economy and all. I have chosen to be optimistic and it always amazes me how it actually contributes to things getting better.

Andrew Wyeth

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:43:00 +0000

The passing of Andrew Wyeth hit me with a pang. What a prolific span of creative work! I especially am attracted the way his paintings have a narrative element(often strange and mysterious) as well such strong,dynamic compositions.

I read his biography "A Secret Life" and loved it. I spent some time at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine (I missed him when I was there yet I had walk passed him earlier thinking, he is somebody, not sure) and I traveled in the surrounding areas where he painted. The time spent there was transformational for me.

His work was dismissed when I was in undergraduate school studying art history. However, I have always admired his paintings and to see an original is a real experience. He so boldly followed his creative passion.

Plein Air Painting in Tuscany

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:25:00 +0000

I just wanted to inject a little reminder about the Plein Air Painting in Tuscany workshop I will be teaching this summer from June 22 -29 at Spannocchia located near Siena Italy. It is wonderful place to paint and experience. It is steeped in Italian culture and is a working organic farm. So needless to say the food is great! The views are stunning and it is a truly memorable way to spend a week of your life. If you would like more information please contact me at linda@lwarnerconstantino.com or check out my website.

Coastal Discovery Museum

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:45:00 +0000

I am not sure but I think this is one of the original homes at the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head. It is located by the marsh and is part of a homestead donated to the museum.

I painted quickly this day and it is fine line one walks when painting any kind of architecture. In a moment too much detail and too much adhering to perfection seems to suck the life out of the building or makes it look very amateurish rather than simple and painterly. I tried to stay simple and loose. I like the way the sunlight looks on it but I am still chasing the quality of my brushstrokes.

Sunny Boatyard

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:04:00 +0000

I actually have been painting over the past few weeks but I just got around to posting. I decided to drop everything between Christmas and New Year's and focus on spending time with family. So much to be thankful for this year.

I have had some nice times painting with friends and enjoying being outside over this holiday break from teaching. Some days I just putted around my studio. I go through periods when I need to incubate – read books, look at art, sketch. I love oils but watercolors always tug at me too. So I did some sketches which I will post on my watercolor blog.

The day I painted in the boatyard the temperature went up to 75 degrees! The boats out of water have such interesting shapes to paint. I mostly wanted to capture the feeling of the sun.

Marina Marsh

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:55:00 +0000

I went out to paint today with a few friends. It was initially very foggy and then lifted rather quickly though it remained partly cloudy. I started one painting and wiped it off. I was trying to paint too much. Finding the lowest "visual denominator" is always a challenge. Then tide started moving in rapidly, too. So between the weather and the tides I was painting "to beat the clock."

I painted a bit larger for this one to help me prepare for a 16" by 20" painting that I will be working on in the studio. As ever it was great to be outside painting!

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:53:00 +0000

I painted this last week when we had some sun. There was a lot to simplify in this view and the surface of this board was very rough. I kept putting painting on and it kept sucking it in. I like the colors of it though, I am just getting back into painting on site. Hopefully. I will get out tomorrow.

Cloud Study

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:35:00 +0000

I did this little cloud study yesterday from a photo. I find clouds so compelling and challenging, especially here in the South. These were summer thunderheads.

Famous landscape painter John Constable said that the "sky is the chief organ of sentiment in any picture." I could spend a long time just trying to paint clouds. I used to live on the tundra in a small town in western Alaska where there were literally no trees to speak of and the land so flat. The sky took up so much of my view - quite dynamic. I think it made an impression.

Some Good News by the way. Shop SCAD will be carrying some of my small paintings.Not sure if the will be online though.

The Last Meyer Lemon of the Year

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:48:00 +0000

I am now on my winter break and have more time to get back to painting. I admit to being a bit rusty and having lost a little contact with my brushwork. I had to wipe this one off and start again.

This is the last Meyer lemon off of one of my trees in the front yard. They are just the most beautiful lemon color and smell and taste so good.

Three Eggpalnts

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:28:00 +0000

Color and shape are what attract me. Eggplants are such crazy shapes! They are so dark in value that it is challenging to see the nuances of value and color. I am also try in to stay loose and be more economic with my brushstrokes. Before I place a brushstroke, I try to make this my painting mantra (I think Kevin Macpherson said it on one of his books):"Is it warm or is it cool; is it light or is it dark?"

Cup of Tea

linda@lwarnerconstantino.com (Linda Warner Constantino) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:18:00 +0000

I felt like I was getting into a bit of a rut with color and such.I went and bought more fabric and tea towels. I love tableware but painting elipses is always tough. I just wanted to stay loose with in general and not get committed to a level of geometrical detail that is not my style.