New Edward Minoff 1 Hour Video

Ted Minoff, an instructor at the Grand Central Academy of Art in New York, has a new 1 hour video available at American Painting Video Magazine. This video is an extended version of his profile from the AVPM Winter 2011 issue, but explores his methods in greater depth. As a fan of seascapes, I'm really looking forward to learning from his painting methods and hopefully applying them to my own.

3 Hour Charcoal Drawing - Mallory

Sunday afternoon at Carol Broman's Paper Bark Tree Studio. I spent much of my time concentrating on the block-in, but I was able to move into the shadow area before the end. I am utilizing my proportion divider a lot these days, it's a great tool when used correctly. I'm going to continue working on this drawing until satisfied, I want to bring out the chiaroscuro between the back and the highlighted side.

One thing I am re-discovering - I need some Canson paper.

Florida Morning

Just sharing a beautiful Florida morning.

Marilyn Monroe - Pencil on Paper

Peter Buchan - Pencil on Paper 1982?

I used to sit up all night, when everything was quiet and all were asleep, and work diligently - copying, comparing, shading, standing back, looking. It was a feverish act, this business of art. In the morning, if all went well, my family would be greeted (attacked) by me showing them what I made, like a mad scientist with a discovery.

3 Hour Study - Elissa

Peter Buchan Pencil on toned gesso masonite 2011

This was the result of a 3 hour study at the Paper Bark Tree Studio of Carol Broman. I drew this on gessoed masonite, in the mistaken notion that I would actually paint it. Instead, I took the time to block in the model using Anthony Ryder and Charles Miano's methods. I've outlined my initial envelope in bold white (5 sides in this case), and I've also indicated some of my measuring points and relationships (knee to rear, forearm to back, knee to collar bone, width of head). I've been taught that developing a solid, relationally sound envelope is of primary importance, and should be worked on as long as it takes. It is the foundation for all subsequent detail, and if the foundation isn't sound, it won't matter how masterful the details are.

While it isn't necessarily a masterpiece in the making, it is my first attempt to get back in the saddle with my art after some time.

Female Model Drawing

Peter Buchan - After Boris Vallejo 1983

Back in high school I had a Boris Vallejo book featuring some of his art collection. If you are familiar with his work, he was famous for his paintings of sword wielding muscular women. But at the end of this book, he had several drawings of his model/wife done from life. This is a copy of one of those drawings, which I drew while in the Navy. I still love this drawing.

Self Portrait Sketch

Peter Buchan - Self Portrait 1981

Here is another old drawing of mine, one that I did when I was 16.

Abraham Lincoln Drawing (when I was 10 years old)

Abraham Lincoln Portrait - Peter Buchan 1974?

This is a very old drawing of mine, one that I made when I was 10 years old? I was always "drawn" to drawing, capturing a likeness. It met a deep need in me as a kid, and I derived a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment from it. Parents, encourage your kids.

Afternoon Sunset

A beautiful Florida afternoon sunset captured on my BlackBerry...

There's magic happening in these clouds. Watching the hue change as the light wraps around each cloud, it challenges me to understand the relationship of the colors. It's not beautiful by accident...

Pine Trees Plein Air - Work in progress

2009 Peter Buchan

The trees here in New York are beautiful. These pines caught my eye.

Visiting Mt. Greylock

Me, David and Maddie on our way up to Mt. Greylock, Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Brush with f(r)ame at the Clark...

I had a great visit at The Clark today, and some drama too.

As I tried to position myself behind this Degas sculpture to get a different angle, my elbow brushed the painting adjacent to the Degas. Oops.

I found out that The Clark has an excellent alarm system.

Up until this adrenaline rush, I was having a wonderful time.

-Pete

Visiting the Clark

I will be visiting The Clark www.clarkart.edu in Williamstown, MA soon to get an up close look at John Singer Sargent's "Portrait of Carolus-Duran" -1879 and William Bouguereau 's "Nymphs and Satyr" -1873. There are many other works there by Winslow Homer, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Jean-Léon Gérôme, Corot, Monet, Cassatt... you get the idea. The chance to see this Bouguereau up close is exciting. I've read other's accounts of experiencing this painting for the first time, it promises to be memorable. And Sargent's portrait of his teacher, Carolus-Duran, is another painting that I've admired, as many have. I'm hoping to have a pleasant drive down Rt 2 from NY, through VT and MA, and hopefully will spot some scenic places along the way for some future plein air paintings. -Pete

Plein Air Painting - Lake George

Memorial Day 2009 8"x16" Oil on panel - work in progress Peter Buchan, 2009

When I paint outside, people inevitably come by to see what I'm doing. Today was no exception, but the people this time were children. I'd glance over my shoulder, and there'd be one, then two little boys, sitting on a bench, just watching. Even the smallest, shyest little girl found her way up to me, asking her mom to talk for her. She wanted her mom to buy my painting for her.

Whatever joy I get from painting, I was unprepared for the joy I felt from connecting with these little ones. They reminded me, with their innocence and fascination, how I want to be like them - to see the world through their eyes.

McIntosh on a box

McIntosh on a box 8"x10" Oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2009

Me Painting

April 12, Easter, 2009

Adirondacks

Adirondacks 5"x7" oil on gesso board, Peter Buchan 2008

July 4th - Robin

July 4th - Robin 8"x10" oil on canvas board, Peter Buchan 2008

Apple No. 2

Apple No. 2
5"x7" Oil on gesso board, Peter Buchan 2008

Slash Pines Study

Slash Pine Study
8 1/2 x 11, pencil, Peter Buchan 2007

L'oignon (Onion)

L'oignon (Onion)
5"x7" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2007
Sold

Siesta Beach Surf

Siesta Beach Surf 8"x16" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2007

Sold

Palm Shoreline on Siesta Drive

Palm Shoreline on Siesta Drive 11"x14" oil on board, Peter Buchan 2006

Mangrove Shoreline - Longboat Key

Mangrove Shoreline - Longboat Key 8"x10" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2006

Looking North to Casey Key

Looking North to Casey Key 8x16" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2006 Sold

North Jetty, Nokomis Beach

North Jetty, Nokomis Beach 5"x7" Oil on Masonite, Peter Buchan 2006 This was a plein air painting that took me about 2 hours to make, plus another hour of touchups at home. I enjoyed painting this piece, and it cost me sunburned legs (forgot the sunscreen - big mistake).

View of Sarasota's Big Pass

Big Pass 7"x9" Oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2006 This painting is the view from my 7th floor office at the corner of Main Street and Palm Avenue. After spending months contemplating this scene and watching the changes that take place as the sun rises and sets, I decided to spend a few lunch breaks trying to capture it's beauty. On the topic of firsts, this would be my first landscape, or technically a seascape! (Update 10/15/06 - Demolition and construction has begun on a high-rise building just southwest of our view- directly affecting the perspective of this painting- glad I took the time to capture this scene.)

Charcoal - Seated Figure Study

Seated Figure Study 18"x24" charcoal, Peter Buchan 2005 This charcoal drawing was done over 3 Saturday classes at the Atelier of Charles Miano here in Bradenton, Florida. When Charles is not traveling to Florence, Italy, he is instructing us in the Atelier tradition of drawing and painting. I started this piece during the Art Center Manatee's open house, where several hundred people filed through our studio during class. (The model was wearing shorts that day, of course!)

My Pochade Box- Still Life tomato and knife

My pochade box with Still Life Tomato and Knife 5"x7" Oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2006 (private collection) I began working on this originally as a study - I was having trouble with some tomatoes in another piece. As I progressed, I became very fond of my little tomato, and ran out to the store to buy a cutting board. When I got home and set it up, my daughter came in and placed a little Chicago Cutlery knife down in the composition, pronouncing "There! - thats better!". I also had to prop up the composition, for this I used my Harold Speed painting book. Alas, painting in the text on the binder would have detracted, so now I was stuck. Since then, I've taken out the book, opting for a white tablecloth instead. Oh well, I heard that gallery owners back in the day used to chain Edgar Degas pieces to the wall when he visited, he was known to yank finished works off the gallery wall intent on "fixing" them.

Veteran Lure (Antique Bass Oreno)

Veteran Lure (Antique Bass Oreno) 5"x7" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2005 I love still life paintings, especially when they consist of nostalgic items. A friend gave me an old tackle box, full of old lures and hooks, and this old South Bend Bass Oreno. My thoughts went back to a week long vacation in Wisconsin I took one summer with friends. My buddy Don had one of these lures made of plastic, and was very fond of Bass Orenos, especially the originals that were made of wood. He lost his lure on that trip, struggling with an especially strong Northern Pike we suspect. I enjoyed working on this painting, and look forward to including it on another still life - as soon as I can get my hands on an old duck decoy!

My First Oil Painting - Still Life with Apples

Still Life with Apples 8"x10" oil on canvas panel, Peter Buchan 2005 Collection of the artist Working across the street from Robert Wilson Galleries in Sarasota, I had the opportunity to spend my lunch hours gazing at the great works by today's contemporary painters. Seeing the beautiful works by Don Demers, Joseph McGurl, Tim Thompson and others, I was stirred to take on painting - even though I haven't practiced art in years, and had never painted before.