My Palette

Recently a few people asked about my palette, so I decided it would be easier and more helpful to post a picture of it and a list of colors. This is my full palette--I don't always squeeze out all these colors if I don't think I'm going to use them all.

From lower left, clockwise:
Cadmium yellow light
Cadmium yellow deep
Cadmium orange
Cadmium red light (Gamblin)
Perylene red (Gamblin)
Permanent rose
Permanent alizarin crimson (Old Holland or Vasari)
Sap green
Chromium oxide green
Viridian or Pthalo green
Cerulean Blue
Pthalo blue
French ultramarine blue
Ultramarine violet
Ivory black

Around the center:
Yellow Ochre or raw siena
Raw umber light
Yellow Ochre half burnt (Old Holland)
Venetian red or transparet earth red
Burnt Siena
Burnt Umber (sometimes raw umber)

In the center:
Titanium White

I would gladly use any Vasari color, but I usually buy W&N because it is lower in price and I like the colors and consistency.

The warm colors are arranged along the left, the cool colors along the right. Warm and cool colors are arranged so that complementary colors are opposite each other on the palette. I make all grays using complementaries.

Landscape Workshop in Maine

Otter Cliffs, Ocean Drive, oil, 14" x 18"
Eagle Lake from Cadillac Mountain, oil, 11" x 17"
Echo Lake from Beech Mountain
Long Pond from Beech Mountain
Painting on Cadlllac Mountain


Mount Desert Island Plein Air Workshop
June 27-July 3, 2010

Location: Acadia National Park

Those of you who have never been to Mount Desert Island (Acadia National Park) are missing out on some of the most dramatic scenery on the East Coast. If you've been there before, you'll know what I'm talking about.We will be painting outside in groups for approximately 3-6 hours a day in various locations around the 10-mile diameter island. For those new to plein air painting, the basics of how to have a successful outdoor painting experience will be covered. Daily critiques and discussions will be part of the workshop. I will also do demonstrations for those who want to watch, and I hope to paint alongside the other artists in the group whenever I have time.

Participants will stay in Somesville, in the historic Abraham Somes House built in 1800. The accomodations are comfortable and homelike.The workshop has been organized once again by Diana Ansley, who has figured out every detail from the best views to the best restaurants on the island.

Tuition: $600

Lodging & Fees: $ 675

Talk and Demo In Alexandria, VA

My model, Ishin, was exceptionally beautiful and interesting to paint.
Here I am pretty far into the demo. I only had a total of 50 minutes to work on it there, so I finished it in my studio.

Yesterday I went down to Alexandria, VA to give a talk and oil-painting demonstration at the Belle Haven Country Club. It was actually just the first part of an art-filled day for the participants, who then went on to tour the studios of several artists in the neighborhood.

I had a lot of fun. The event was so well organized and yet the atmosphere was relaxed. I met lots of great people, and I even got to visit for a while with my friend and fellow artist, Diana Cobb Ansley, whose studio was on the tour.