This piece by American artist E. Martin Hennings hits on a number of levels. "Winter in New Mexico" • E. Martin Hennings • Oil on Canvas • 25.25" x 30.25" • c. 1925 • Permanent collection of the @denverartmuseum.bsky.social Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

My demonstration this morning on the last day of my painting workshop for the Hill Country Council for the Arts. Accuracy in drawing is key in any portrait, whether it's a person or an animal. "Happy Dog Study" • Oil on Linen • 12” x 16” • 2 Hours

My floral demonstration from life this morning on day two of my painting workshop at the Hill Country Council for the arts. “Dancing Daisies Study” • Oil on Linen • 12” x 12” • 1 Hour, 45 Minutes • SOLD

My 80-minute landscape demonstration this morning on the first day of my painting workshop at the Hill Country Council for the Arts in Boerne, Texas.. “Storm Rollin’ In” • Landscape Study • Oil on Linen • 12" x16" • 80 Minutes

This week, many of us can relate to the feeling that this painting by American artist Willard Metcalf expresses. "The Winter's Festival" • Willard Leroy Metcalf • Oil on Canvas • 26" x 29" • 1913 • Permanent Collection of the de Young Museum

Is it better to create paintings from life or from photo reference? A subject of seemingly perpetual debate. I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both in my latest art newsletter - sign up for it at PatrickSaunders.com. "Knapps Narrows Shine” • Oil on Linen • 14" x 18” • Private Collection

Here's another rarely seen piece by Nicolai Fechin that is part of the current exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, Oklahoma. "Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova" • Nicolai Fechin • Oil on Canvas • 9.5" x 8.5" • ca. 1925 Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

My 90-minute portrait study last night at a Coppini Academy of Fine Art open model session. I painted thicker and quicker on this one, letting the paint texture add character to the face. “Portrait Study” • Oil on Linen • 11” x 14” • 90 Minutes Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

I often find I can learn as much about oil painting from a watercolor as I can from an oil painting, and this work by John Singer Sargent is no exception. "In the Generalife" • John Singer Sargent • Watercolor, wax crayon, graphite on paper • 1912 • 14 3/4" x 17 7/8" • Metropolitan Museum of Art

I don't believe this piece by Nicolai Fechin has been exhibited publicly in 40 years, so it was a real treat to see in person at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, OK. "Point Lobos" • Nicolai Fechin • Oil on Canvas • 20" x 24" • ca. 1925 Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by Scottish artist Joseph Crawhall from the permanent collection of the @nationalgalleries.bsky.social . "The White Drake" • Joseph Crawhall III • Watercolor and Gouache on Linen • 1895 • 40.70 x 57.10 cm

Artist friends, most of my 2026 painting workshops are already sold out, but if you want to paint with me next year, my spring Booth Art Academy class in Georgia still has some openings: patricksaunders.com/classes_pain... “Anticipation” • Oil on Canvas • 18” x 22" • Private Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features two more pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" that I had not seen in person prior to this show. "Mexican Cowboy" • Nicolai Fechin • Oil on Canvas • Not Dated • Private Collection

White elements are often darker and filled with more color than you might think. Read my latest art newsletter for some things to consider when painting white subject matter. Sign up at the link in the comments. "Paper Lantern" • Oil on Linen • 9" x 12" • Private Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by British artist John Stanton Ward. "Miss Lucy Freeman" • John Stanton Ward • Oil on Canvas • 1968 • 76 x 50.5cm • Private Collection

I enjoyed an open model session last night at the Coppini Academy of Fine Art. This was a quick one in just over an hour. “Jacqueline Portrait Study” • Oil on Linen • 11” x 14” • 75 Minutes Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is just one of the great pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. "Portrait of Eya" • Nicolai Fechin • Oil on Canvas • Not Dated Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

My current LederEasel plein air painting setup is light, compact and affordable. #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairgear #pleinairtools #pleinairsetup #ledereasel #obentripod #mastersonpalette

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is another large mural by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. "Ayamonte. La pesca del atún" • Joaquín Sorolla • Oil on Canvas • 1919 • 11.4' x 15.9' Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

Artist friends, if you want to paint with me next year, only three 2026 workshops are still open. Go to the Workshops page at PatrickSaunders.com to register for a class at the Booth Art Academy, Warehouse 521, or the Conroe Art League. "Dragon Fire" • Oil on Linen • 24" x 24" • Private Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by French painter Henri Regnault from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. "Salome" • Henri Regnault • Oil on Canvas • 1870 • 63" x 40.5” Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

We all know that darks & lights give form to a painting. Read my latest art newsletter on how color temp contrasts give your paintings much more range to express this illusion of light. Sign up here: patricksaunders.com/signup.html "Tapestry" detail • Oil on Linen • 12" x 16" • Private Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a plein air painting by American artist John Singer Sargent from the permanent collection of the @brooklynmuseum.org. "Dolce Far Niente" • John Singer Sargent • Oil on Canvas • ca. 1907 • 16.25" x 28.25"

My architectural demonstration Thursday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event. “Ellis County Courthouse” • Oil on Linen • 12” x 16” • 90 Minutes

My one-hour floral demonstration Wednesday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event. “Glowing Rose Sketch” • Oil on Linen • 8” x 10” • 60 Minutes

My landscape demonstration Tuesday morning for my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event. “Roland’s Secret Garden” • Oil on Linen • 12” x 16” • 90 Minutes

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a landscape by American artist Willard Metcalf from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The North Country" • Willard Leroy Metcalf • Oil on Canvas • 1923 • 40” x 45.25” Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

My thanks to Mark Arts for sending one of my latest paintings home with a new collector this week. I’m thrilled that it sold so quickly. “Regalia" • Oil on Linen • 36” x 60” • Private Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by American artist Frederic Remington from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "On the Southern Plains" • Frederic Remington • Oil on Canvas • 1907 • 30 1/8" x 51 1/8" Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

Artist friends, my summer 2026 floral painting workshop at the Conroe Art League will open for registration on January 1st. Go to the Workshops page of my website, PatrickSaunders.com, for more information, and to register. “Strength In Numbers” • Oil on Linen • 15” x 30" • Private Collection

#ARTTIPS • Take the stress out of painting faces by focusing on shapes. #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #fineart #artinstruction #arteducation #artadvice #paintingtips #oilpainting #representationalart #realistart #westernart #portraitpainting #figurativeart #contemporarypainting

My spring 2026 painting workshop in Louisiana sold out before it became public, so a second class has been added, and it is filling fast. Go here for more information, and to register: patricksaunders.com/painting_wit... “Surrounded by Wallflowers” • Oil on linen • 9” x 12" • Private Collection

My paintings for the Granbury Arts Alliance's 4th Annual Coates Western Art Exhibition & Sale this weekend. The VIP Night tomorrow is sold out, but the show is free and open to the public on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake Granbury Conference Center.

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is another stunning piece by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York. "Valencia. Las grupas" • Joaquín Sorolla • Oil on Canvas • 1916 • 11.5' x 118.5” Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

Artist friends, my Booth Art Academy painting workshop next spring is filling fast. Go here for more information, and to register: patricksaunders.com/classes_pain... “Unity” • Oil on linen • 9” x 12" • Private Collection

My latest painting. Traditional Catrina makeup is quite common around San Antonio this time of year for Día de los Muertos. I always find it incredibly festive. "La Catrina" • Oil on Linen • 14" x 18" • Available Reference and painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by American painter William Merritt Chase from the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum. "Girl in a Japanese Costume" • William Merritt Chase • Oil on Canvas • ca. 1890 24 5/8" x 15 11/16” Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

A still life I am sending to the Granbury Arts Alliance's Coates Western Art Exhibition on October 24th & 25th. “Hoya” • Oil on Linen • 16” x 20” • Available

A floral I am sending to the Granbury Arts Alliance's Coates Western Art Exhibition on October 24th & 25th. "Multifaceted" • Oil on Linen • 9" x 12"

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by master painter Illia Repin from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin" • Illia Repin • Oil on Canvas • 1884 • 35" x 27 1/4” Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

#ARTTIPS • Why I use synthetic flat brushes. #art #fineart #artstream #patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #artinstruction #arteducation #oilpainting #representationalart #realistart #westernart #portraitpainting #jackricheson #jackrichesonandco #greymattersbrushes #artbrushes

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is another rarely seen piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's recent exhibition "Sargent and Paris." "Café on the Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice" • John Singer Sargent • Watercolor on Paper • ca. 1880-1882 • 9 1/4" x 13 1/2" • Private Collection

Getting an angle wrong can quickly throw off your drawing. Sign up for my latest art newsletter on a better way to get perfect diagonal lines: patricksaunders.com/signup.html "Día de los Muertos" • Oil on Linen • 12" x 16" • Private Collection

For #ThrowbackThursday, a piece from 2020. "Dama De Rojo" • Oil on Linen • 15"x30" • Bosque Arts Center Permanent Collection

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by French artist Léon-Augustin Lhermitte from the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. "The Grape Harvest" • Léon-Augustin Lhermitte • Oil on Canvas • 1884 • 99" × 82 5/8" Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

One of my demonstration paintings from a 2021 workshop in St. Louis. "Huey" • 12"x16" • Oil on Linen • Private Collection

The elaborate regalia worn by this man we met at a pow wow in San Antonio was a work of art in itself. "Regalia" • Oil on Linen • 36" x 60" • Available at www.PatrickSaunders.com Reference and painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Sunflowers" • Vincent van Gogh • Oil on Canvas • 1887 • 17" × 24" Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social

My 90-minute portrait demonstration this morning on the last day of my painting workshop at Mark Arts. “Dark Horse” • Portrait Study • Oil on Linen • 14" x 19" • 90 Minutes

My floral demonstration from life this morning on day two of my painting workshop at Mark Arts. Today’s demo held multiple lessons on capturing whites, simplifying shapes and defining edges. “Jumbo Mums” • Floral Study • Oil on Linen • 12" x 12" • 2 Hours • SOLD