Painting of Lauren Bacall Done as a Demonstration for a Portraiture Workshop

Demonstration Painting of One of the Classiest Ladies Who Ever Lived, Lauren Bacall

Lauren

16" x 20"

oil on canvas

After spending a considerable time on the internet I could not find to whom this photo is attributed to. Nevertheless, it was the subject I chose for a recent workshop I held on portrait painting. I painted it as a demonstration for eight art students who then painted their own version with my guidence.

Painting portraits poses a special challenge. The idea that the subject is a person rather than a flower, beach scene, mountain or some such thing is often intimidating. In addition, if you are painting a landscape for example, you can take out a tree or move a hill to improve the composition. Obviously not so much with someone's face. During the demonstration I turned the photo and painting upside down in order to paint while focusing on the interplay of shapes however subtle they might be.

Orange & White Clouds Sweep the Sunset Sky in a New Painting

White Clouds Sweep Through an Orange Sunset at the Beach

Cloud Swept

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

I feel that here on the Gulf of Mexico it's all about the sky. The abstract nature of clouds at sunset are so inviting to paint because of the spontaneous and fleeting arrangement of line, form, color and motion...always a challenge and always something to learn. 

Much of this painting was done with paper towels. I dipped them in paint, added medium and kind of pushed the colors together until cloud-like forms were loosly established, then I used a flat angled brush to define the smaller dark clouds and sweeping whites.

Fishing Party on the Beach at Sunset Painted in Warm Hues

The Sun Sets on a Late Afternoon of Fishing

Fishing Party at Sunset

4" x 12"

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

by Jack Providenti

I took a picture right after sunset when everything is cast with an amber glow for just a few minutes. Went home and painted it on a small canvas. 

I am enjoying painting on small canvases because it reinforces the concept that what you leave out of a painting is as important as what you put in. When the painting space is small you want everything in it to contribute to the message.

Blues,Greens and Ochres at the Shore Cleanse Body, Mind and Spirit in a Painting

A Day at the Beach, a Natural Tranquilizer

Sea Foam

12" x 24"

oil on canvas

By Jack Providenti

 On the Gulf of Mexico the sea is always changing colors. Here at noon it graduates from blue to emerald greeen at Treasure Island, Florida.

The colors blue and green are naturally associated with peace and tranquility. Add some gentle breaking white waves and sea foam for a delightful recipe. The size and motion of the clouds were a perfect compliment to the breaking waves and that is what invited me to paint this scene.

 I believe that by appreciating beauty in a scene we actually contribute to the creation of it. 

People Living Lfe Add Color and Harmony to the Beach

A Colorful Umbrella; An Invitation to Paint

At The Beach

4" x 12"

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

by Jack Providenti

I love it when all the elements of a painting naturally arrange themselves. Here a fisherman untangles his bait net, a mother watches her child fill a bucket with sand, and the incomming tide splashes against a jetty early in the morning . Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Florida.

From a painterly viewpoint It is so cool when people come to the beach to swim, fish, or relax and just naturally add color and harmony.

Oil Painting Depicting a Gentle Breeze Among the Sea Oats of Treasure Island, Florida

A Soft Wind Just After Sunrise by the Sea

Gentle Breeze

8" x 10"

oil on canvasboard

By Jack Providenti

I've done many paintings of this same stretch of beach and I'm always fascinated with how it takes on a different mood depending on the weather, time of day, month of season...always unique.

I love painting the beaches. Morning is my favorite time to take pictures or set up my easel and paint before the sun gets too high and washes out the subtle contrasts of light, shadows and colors. There is a soft pink hue in the clouds, can you see it? It wasn't my idea, nature came up with that one. I was fortunate to witness it and portray it.

Painting the Afterglow of a Sunset on the Gulf Coast of Florida

Capturing Twilight in a Painting on Sunset Beach

Afterglow

16" x 20"

oil on canvas
By Jack Providenti

 Afterglow, when your senses are surrounded by an amber haze after the sunset. In this painting I am experiencing the scene from behind sea oats and various beach foliage to compliment the scene.

The magnificence of nature is startling. I painted this from a smaller study I did of the same scene. I guess I figured one small painting didn't do justice to the enchantment of the afterglow. The larger canvas allowed me to use more expressive brush strokes and soft blending in the sky.

Plein Air Painting of Historic Caddy's On The Beach at Low Tide, Treasure Island, Florida

The Essence of Sunset Beach Captured in a Plein Air Painting

Low Tide at Caddy's

8" x 10"

oil on canvasboard
By Jack Providenti

 Caddy's On The Beach is a popular landmark here on Sunset Beach. I have painted it more than once...different moods, different times of day. This plein- air painting was done early morning, just after daybreak at low tide.

Hot summer days in Florida seem to drive locals to the beaches, especially on weekends. Here early morning beachgoers set up even before the stacked lounge chairs are spread out. So I set up my easel and got to work before the sun became too intense. A little more than two hours later I was cooling off in the Gulf waters. Then I walked home and finished the painting in my studio.

Plein air painting demands that one works quickly and that is the power of it...to respond to the scene without overthinking.

Impressionist Painting Depicts Beach Life on Treasure Island, Florida

Hues of Blue and Pink Provide a pleasant Afternoon for Beachgoers

Beach Life

14" x 11"

oil on canvas
By Jack Providenti

In this painting my aim was to portray people enjoying the hot and hazy atmosphere of a typical sunny day here on the beaches of Treasure Island, Fl.

It is interesting that painting a hot sandy beach is in many ways similiar to painting a frozen field of snow. I'm reminded of  one of my favorite impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, The Magpie, which depicts a field of  freshly fallen snow. One could almost use the same palette and loose brush strokes to paint a beach as he did to paint snow. Interesting, isn't it?

One of a Series of Colorfull & Dramatic Paintings of Sunsets on the West Coast of Florida

The Clouds Create a Smokey Atmosphere Around the Setting Sun on Treasure Island, Fl.

"Dusty Sunset"

16" x 20"

oil on canvas
By Jack Providenti

Every sunset is unique. This one...to me, was a magnificance subdued by some atmospheric phenomena I want to describe as "dusty". It is one of an ongoing series of sunset paintings where a balance of loose, expressive brushstrokes are combined with areas of soft blending in order  to create a colorful balance of drama and tranquility.  

I feel that composition in a painting is more than an arrangement of forms, values and colors...it is a message, or a balance of messages. In this case, there is excitement, even danger, but with an overall sence of peacefullness.

New Oil Painting From Florida's Gulf Coast! Sea Oats & Clouds Impression.

Wind Blown Sea Oats & Clouds by the Sea

"Breezy"

16" x 20"

oil on canvas
By Jack Providenti

Early morning. Sunset Beach, Treasure Island, Fl. It rained the night before and the clouds blew away with the morning breeze. So inspiring! What painter could resist capturing the crisp air & gentle wind!

Summers on Treasure Island Fl are awefully hot, but awefully inspiring as well. The clear green waters and soft sand invite you for a walk, swim, or in my case, paint the scene in oils which help capture the drama of light, shade, color and motion!