Copyright © Sandra Schuster Art, 2019
Welcome to My Blog
I hope to share my thoughts in this blog on my art and the techniques I use, as well as
any significant events dealing with my art interests and endeavors.
How Do You Know When Your Painting is Finished
I was talking to a fellow artist recently when he asked me how I know when a painting is
finished. Now that’s a tricky question, and one that occurs to me all the time. He
admitted that he is never sure when his paintings are finished. Making the decision to
stop is difficult. I sometimes have the same dilemma. Stopping too soon can result in a
piece that lacks vitality or is simply underworked. On the other hand, continuing to
rework a painting can cause the painting to lose its vigor and freshness. Stepping back
can help. With the painting out of sight for a while, it can be viewed with a fresh
perspective when seen again. I’ve done this many times and often repeatedly with the
same painting. Sometimes the decision is to start over; other times a few touches can
make a tremendous difference.
“It is difficult to stop in time because one gets carried away. But I have that strength; it
is the only strength I have” – Claude Monet
About My Landscape Art
The color, texture, and mood, defined by the play of light on the surface of a landscape,
has always intrigued me. The contrast can range from sharp and crisp to soft and
luminous, but it is always exciting, sometimes mysterious, and often surprising. The
challenge is to capture it.
Having spent my early years in a densely populated area of New Jersey fenced in by
buildings and industry, I sought the refuge of small city parks where I learned to
appreciate the serenity and beauty of nature. As a child, as many children have, before
there ever were video games, cell phones, and iPads, I would lie down on a patch of
grass and stare up at the panoramic wonder of the sky with its ever changing cloud
formations. When I paint a sky full of clouds I am reminded of that childhood wonder.
How I Paint Landscapes
Whether painting landscapes and portraits on either paper or on canvas, I always begin
with an underpainting. Using yellow ochre and either burnt or raw sienna, depending on
the scene, I’ll lay in the the light, medium, and dark tones. Then I’ll lay out my palette
beginning with titamium white and moving from warm to cool colors. I use a large piece
of glass edged in tape and built-up paint for my palette. When painting in acrylic I use
Golden heavy body paints and am generous in the amounts I place on my palette. I keep
the palette moist with a fine spray of purified water.
Working from nature I’ll do a small color sketch or a pencil sketch with color notes and
take lots of photographs for reference to use in the studio. I base my paint choices on
these references. I use palette knives or brushes or a combination of both to create the
painting. I build up layers of paint defining and refining the image. Sometimes I’ll add
additional layers of other media such as oil crayons.
Brushwork
Brushwork can be highly
individual. It can also be highly
expressive conveying the mood
of a painting. Brushwork is like
handwriting. It creates a unique
and distinctive look to each
artist’s painting.
Landscape Quote by
Claude Monet
"For me, a landscape does not
exist in its own right, since its
appearance changes at every
moment; but the surrounding
atmosphere brings it to life -
the light and the air which vary
continually. For me, it is only
the surrounding atmosphere
which gives subjects their true
value."