Art Center Information

Art, by its Very Nature, is to Entertain

It feels good…I do it…therefore it is~Richard D. Burton

There is nothing wrong with being a realistic painter. However, sometimes, when an artist paints realistically they are inviting too much skepticism, or, perhaps, too much viewer study of just one certain area that doesn’t seem that realistic. Art, by its very nature, is to entertain, not to confuse. There is hardly any other purpose…right? Think about it, when a work of art captures too much attention to detail, and not enough to enjoy or entertain, then it doesn’t meet its true purpose.

If an artist understands that art is to entertain, then should not artists entertain themselves when they are drawing or painting or doing whatever they do to create? Should not creation be entertaining?

Sometimes, as artists, we get lost when attempting to work free and clear, having no drawing or preparation, having only a vague idea of what we want to accomplish. How will our design work? Should something be added or removed? These are just a few questions that attack us as we freely splat paint on our substrate.

Richard D. Burton:Pappy's Break — Richard D. Burton: “Pappy’s Break”~Watercolor (16″X22” on paper)

Now that I’ve talked about this, let me discuss the great adventure of being somewhat realistic while not losing artistic freedom. Is the painting you see to the right realistic or impressionistic? How would I know? When I painted it, I wanted it to tell a story. I really had a ton of fun painting it. That’s all that matters, and I hope my audience will have fun viewing it.

I have a certain technique that I use when painting a picture. It’s not original (nothing I do is). It’s old style that was used by many great artists. You can read and understand it by reading the post I did a couple of years ago that explains my technique by clicking on the sketch to the right.

In other words, I try to create a realistic drawing by loosening it up by doing color sketches and other sketches until I can control a loose feeling when the painting is finished. Generally, all my graphite drawings are near realism, while the composition may be abstract or surrealistic. I do not apologize, it’s just the way an artist’s mind works. What do I know? It feels good. I do it. Therefore, it is.

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If your haven’t already seen it, check out the latest graphite drawing that will hopefully turn into a more freely painted watercolor (below). Right now, call it a work in progress.

R.D.Burton: Full size drawing of Glades Fishing(22"X3O") — R.D.Burton: Full size Graphite pencil drawing of Glades Fishing(22″X3O”)

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My Latest Inspiration is Still a Work in Progress

My latest inspiration is still a work in progress, however the painting is not only not forgotten, it’s beginning to take on a life of it’s own. It’s moving, it’s grooving, and it’s coming alive!

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a long way from lifting off the tarmac, but it is beginning to sprout wings. It will fly.

A couple of blogs ago, I introduced the inspiration I had when I discussed my fishing trips in the everglades of southern Florida. You may wish to read the blog before continuing on with this one. If so, click on the picture to the left, and it will take you to it.

R.D.Burton: Preliminary sketch: Glades Fishing

The original sketch was on an 11’X15″ paper. The painting I intend to work on is on a 22″X30″ 300lb watercolor substrate. If one follows my 7-steps to a masterpiece, they know this is just the beginning. After this small value sketch, I worked out a full size drawing (22’X3o”). (To read the seven steps that I go through to complete a watercolor or acrylic painting, click on the picture of the sketch to the right>>>).

In making the completed drawing, I worked on the values more. I also made certain changes in the drawing that I feel makes the picture work better.

My next step will be to transfer the drawing over onto the substrate. After this, I will work out several color sketches, and paint detail color sketches in the certain areas that I wish to highlight. A lot of concentration needs to be placed on the impact area, which is in the upper left quarter of the painting (the men fishing in the boat). To use this as the center of interest in the painting, I need to impact it with vibrant colors, because, as you can see in a value drawing it does not impact.

If I can’t pull it off the way I wish, the safety net is that the painting should have an overall calmness in the expanse of the scene. I can almost hear bird tweeting and crickets chirping…oh, was that a frog I just heard.

Sorry to take liberties in my writing, but I do like to have a little fun when I blog.

100_2576 — 22″X30″ drawing laid over 300lb watercolor paper ready to be transferred

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Posted in Artist, color, drawing, inspiration, painting, substrate, watercolor | Tagged art, art information, color, drawing, inspiration, painting, watercolor | Comments Off

Fascinating Watercolor Technique

If you are fascinated with watercolor you can make fascinating watercolor paintings ~ Lara Engle

There are dozens of fascinating watercolor techniques an artist can master to produce some wonderful paintings. Perhaps, this is the main motivation first attracting them to the medium. Once learned, the use of techniques can be fun. However, it’s imperative the use is not abused. Most important, don’t forget the purpose behind them — to capture an impression. Fall not to the weakness of over using your newest mastered technique on your latest painting. I’ve done this, and it can turn a possibly good painting into a minor work.

When I talk about techniques, I speak of different ways of getting paint on paper, and ways of getting paint off of paper in a manner that will enhance the painting. However, no matter the method, it is up to each individual artist to practice the many different procedures of mastering their favorite technique. In other words, you the artist own the techniques that works for you.

Tip: Let one technique be dominate, and accent it with just a few others.

Using tools such as spray bottles, sponges, salt, splatter, sand, sand paper, gauze, templates, tissues, liquid mask, razor blades, cotton tips, and on and on, can be exciting, but learning to use all the brushes in your artist’s kit properly should be the first thing an artist can do to master technique. An artist can create more exciting images with brushes than almost any other tool in his kit.

If you did not have the opportunity of having a formal education in art, then you need to get your education on your own. Many of us were born with raw talent, but we were not born with technique and practice. Therefore, if we wish to compete artistically, we must get our education on our own. Fortunately, there are books, DVD’s, and download training where we can go to get some of the education needed to master our craft. There are two books about watercolor techniques that I highly recommend for the wannabe watercolor artists.

Recommended reading:
Tom Lynch: Tom Lynch’s Watercolor Secrets
Nita Engle: How to Make a Watercolor Paint Itself

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New Art Project in Mind

This genius has a new art project in mind.

I left Europe and moved to Miami, Florida in 1992. I was still working in the real world, but I knew when I retired that I wanted to pursue a career in art, and art promotion. I didn’t retire until 2010, and by that time I’d moved to my wife’s home state, Ohio. All I have left of Florida is memories and many hundreds of photographs filed in my art drawer and computer.

Recently I finished a painting which portrayed a morning when I went walking on 16th avenue in Miami Beach. It was fun playing with the painting as I toyed with the scene to create the different images; and, yes, I took artistic freedoms along the way to make the picture. That’s what artist do…right?

Anyway, this isn’t about my last painting, it’s about my next one. I began this article to discuss a moment remembered from the past. A moment that might create a composition; which, when considered fully, just might make a masterpiece…or something worth going for.

When I first moved to Miami, I hired a fishing guide to take me fishing on some of my days off. We fished all over. He was very good, and came with all the equipment I needed to enjoy myself. We fished all the canals that had the Peacock bass in them (which was one of my great thrills), and we also fished the everglades for the black Bass, which was also one of my thrills.

I knew someday I would attempt to paint pictures of my experiences fishing on the canals, because it was so picturesque. So, to get an idea for a new painting, I thumbed through some old photos twenty years past, and decided to create a man’s world – fishing in the everglades, and totally enjoying it. The drawing below is the culmination of piecing together of several photos to create a composition. The stretched watercolor paper anxiously waiting the first stroke of a brush is 22″X30″, and the sketch below is 11″X15″. The graphite drawing should give a semblance of the composition, and how it will work when the painting is finished. Now all I need to do is make several different color sketches to work the best and most attractive painting.

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How Important is Black and White in Your Painting?

Whatever the comp0sition is, whether a landscape or a portrait, try painting it without applying middle values. If your painting uses shadows or shade, paint them black (nothing in the middle). If it is light, paint it white (nothing in the middle). Are you beginning to get the picture? It is nothing but black and white. There are no grays. If you’ve never tried painting a picture with only black and white, I highly recommend it. You will learn much about contrasting values when you do; and, later, when you do finish the work in color, you’ll feel comfortable that you have a true handle on this issue. The effort will be well worth it.

After you’ve experimented with the exercise above, then it is fair to say that color (and its use) is everything in any painting other than a black and white composition.

So often, as artists, we tend to feel we naturally know how to mix colors. However, I’m not the first artist to admit the importence to whip out the color wheels. Sometimes it’s necessary to accomplish a completed painting. It is necessary for an artist to understand words like “triadic color wheel,” or “primary,” “secondary,” or “tertiary” color schemes.

Color plays a large part in setting the mood in a composition. Certainly, a well thought out composition has much to do with the mood in a painting, but the composition, and color working together is really what sets it. A good example of this is Andrew Wyeth’s painting: Christina’s World.

Andrew Wyeth, "Christina's World" (1948) — Andrew Wyeth, “Christina’s World” (1948)

A figure crawling through a large field of grass is the composition setting the (alone and desperate) mood. However, it is the mauve (or pinkish) dress surrounded by the brownish grass directing the viewers eyes to the undefined farm buildings in the distance (a great distance for Christina to crawl) that works with the composition to set the mood.

Try imagining this same picture with any other colors and see if any depicts the mood as well as the colors use by Wyeth in the finished painting.

This is just one simple example, but there are plenty of examples where an artist has used both color and composition to control and set the mood of a painting.

The depiction of Christina’s World on this sight is for educational purposes only, and it is not used to depict the true value of the painting, nor to indicate it is a proper depiction of the painting.

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Here’s one of my favorite oil paintings by Texas artist, Lynn Burton. You can shop and visit his gallery at (click here) http://fineartamerica.com/

Lynn Burton: The Red Sunset" (oil on canvas) — Lynn Burton: The Red Sunset” (oil on canvas)

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How to Make Fascinating Watercolor Paintings

If you are fascinated with watercolor, you can make fascinating watercolor paintings. You need only be passionate. When you are passionate about something your work will come to life. You will make paintings that touch, excite, and fascinate other people, as well as yourself.

While painting, if you relax and have fun, you’ll be more open to ideas and will work more creatively. The essence of a successful watercolor is a blend of spontaneity and control, but first there must be freedom. If you take hold of a carefree, unstructured approach to painting, then you can excite the world.

Watercolor, by its very nature, is an unpredictable medium. However, the unpredictability of the medium is what can make it fascinating and exciting. In order to understand the nature of watercolor it is necessary to explore the techniques and applications of other experienced artists and how they express themselves in paint.

If you wish to create a reaction with your paintings, in other words, impress your viewer, the finished work must not only catch their eye, but stop them in their tracks.

"Rowing Home" (1880) — “Rowing Home” (1880)

Many artists believe that mastery of technique is their primary need. I contend that it goes far beyond this simple concept. it takes more than technical efficiency to achieve artistic result. When I settle upon a composition for my artwork, I try to relate to the works I have done previously, or even with paintings of other artists. The relationship with other paintings helps to guide me when sketching the composition. However, the main decision for me is what colors to use–and many color schemes come to mind. I’m not too concerned with the actual colors I’m seeing in nature, but would prefer my own colors according to the atmosphere that I want to create. In this way I can control the painting as I progress.

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Little Secrets When Drawing

Richard D. Burton sketching studies for "Grinding Gears of Time" — Richard D. Burton sketching studies for “Grinding Gears of Time”

The word drawing seems to be one that many artists and art students use freely, but which no two ever seem to use in quite the same way; and although there are many valuable books, video, art classes and other means for a graphite artist to learn their trade, drawing is a subject to be learned, practiced, and understood. Here is a little secret: the most important thing an artist can do in this exciting medium is to consistently work at it until they fully understand it themselves.

If it is your desire to have accepted completed drawings, this artist recommends you make many different studies of the work you wish to accomplish. Somewhere, the studies may become the finished work; but if not, they should be working toward a finished piece.

If you’ve read a few of my blogs, you know I’ve mentioned it before, but I will mention it again, and continue to mention it When drawing a figure it is imperative to rlieve that feeling of “static” stance in their depiction. give them a sense of “life” by putting weight on one leg, twist the torso tip and turn the head, or allow the figure to lean upon or be supported by something or someone. It is best (unless the composition requires it) to not have the face and eyes looking straight at the viewer.

Artist, Richard D. Burton making a full size graphite drawing for "The Old Woodie" — Artist, Richard D. Burton making a full size graphite drawing for “The Old Woodie”

An artist that draws does so because they enjoy drawing. They should never avoid something because it is difficult, or seek to solve a drawing problem by lowering their standards. They should never be afraid to go their own unique way, never allowing acceptable and conventional methods define them.

Warning: It may not be wise for an artist to concentrate on drawing alone because they may lose some of their other skills.

I personally draw sometime to create a completed work, but most of the time I draw to plan a future painting. Sometimes I use loose sketches, but other times, I do complete and detailed drawings. Sometimes I do both. Below is a graphite sketch, that became a complete study for one of my finished watercolors.

Step 1: Completed drawing for watercolor

original doodle sketch of "Pappy's Break" — original doodle sketch of “Pappy’s Break”

Sketch (left) and drawing (right)

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Artistic Style

An artist affect viewers with their style by creating expressive paintings. If you think of the different categories of artistic style, then you can understand what I mean.

For example, start with the realistic style of painting, and work your way to the abstract style of art. You will find yourself going from the realistic to the impressionistic to the Surreal to the abstract.

When I talk about the realistic style of art, I think everyone knows what I’m talking about. This style will result in viewers playing a mental game studying the art to find mistakes of something that seems just a bit off.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette

In the late nineteenth century, paints were invented that was less expensive, more available, and did not dry so fast which allowed the artist to spend more time outside in the open air instead of being tied down painting in their galleries. This changed the way the style of painting changed forever. It brought to the canvas the impressionistic style. The characteristics of this style of art includes small, thin, visible brushstrokes, with emphasis on accurate depiction of light. Simply put, a viewer will have a realistic feeling about what is being depicted by the artist, and know what the subject is, but if each object in the painting is studied individually they only give an impression of what they represent.

When I think of the Surrealistic movement in art, I think of Salvidor Dali’s famous painting “The Persistence of Memory” where a viewer sees melting clocks in the desert. I personally like the painting, but it makes about as much sense to me as the encyclopedic definition of surrealism: A movement based on the belief in the superior reality of certain forms of previously neglected associations, in the omnipotence of dream, in the disinterested play of thought. It tends to ruin once and for all other psychic mechanisms and to substitute itself for them in solving all the principal problems of life.

Wow! I don’t know if I understood much of that definition at all, but I do get a certain emotion of pleasure studying the surrealistic artists and their works. I can not paint in this style, but I find it entertaining, which defines the true purpose of art: to entertain.

Wassily Kandinsky: "Composition Vll" (1913) — Wassily Kandinsky: “Composition Vll” (1913)

The far end of the scale of stylistic categories of art brings us to the abstract style of art. Abstraction indicates a true departure from reality and depicts imagery in art. Even some art that seems to be true and realistic can be said to be abstract, at least in theory, since perfect representation is considered to be elusive.

Total abstraction (such as Wassily Kandinsky’s Composition VII) bears no trace of any reference to anything recognizable.

The realistic style of painting may be awesome, but instead of it being totally entertaining, it becomes a study for criticism. Abstract art, on the other hand, may be beautiful with vibrant colors and flowing movement, but it only seems to entertain a certain amount of viewers. So, a suggestion of this artist is to paint in a manner that moves toward the middle of the scale. Once you draw your viewers into your painting they can enjoy the sensation they find there. Even though the tree may not show ever leaf realistically, they have no doubt it is a tree because of the impression it gives. They will feel it is “vibrant”, the umbrella as “bright”, the people “interesting”. Your art may even trigger a memory, making the viewers feel good about themselves.

Don’t worry about people not understanding your “looser” style of painting as you move from painting “realistic” to painting more “impressionistic”, as long as you entertain them. They’ll see your art for the fresh perspective it offers.

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Art is The Job

Art is my job now, and has been since I retired a few years back from over forty-six years with a sales management career in business. I knew all along that when I retired, I would find a way to get involved with art on a professional basis, either as an artist, or as a writer of art, or as a promoter of art and artists, or all three. It seems I’m heading into the all three category, trying to organize my time to do each.

Art has always been in the family. My father was a sign painter, and he was also a very good fine artist. I distinctly recall as I grew up that there were always beautiful paintings hanging on the walls of our modest home, paintings that my father did in his spare time (from two jobs). I was especially proud of the works of his that hang on the walls of the small church we attended. One of my favorites was the large pastoral scene that took up the wall behind the baptistery.

Arlen Burton: "Signal Peak" (Oil on Canvas) — Arlen Burton: “Signal Peak” (Oil on Canvas)

My brother, Lynn Burton, is also an artist in the family who has been actively and professionally doing art for more than a half of a century. He made his first dollar painting pin-stripes on teenagers hot rods in the 1950s in the wild-and-woolly western town of Carlsbad, New Mexico, where we grew up.

At nineteen years old he started his sign business in Lubbock, Texas, and has continually painted (on the side) some beautiful pieces of fine art. His Gallery of just a few of his many paintings are able to be viewed by clicking on the Lynn Burton Gallery at the top of this page. His lessons to me (although, many are on the phone long distance) have been the subject of some of the hundreds of blogs I’ve posted on this sight.

Lynn Burton: Texas Drift (Oil on Canvass)

My daughter’s late father-in-law, James Frederick, was probably one of the finest artists that I ever met. His work in all different media had such a classic touch to them that I am shocked he didn’t pursue art as his chosen profession. However, it was probably as my father always told me, if you want to make art your profession, prepare to starve or be single forever…and you’ll still probably starve. Thank goodness, James decided to be a family man or I wouldn’t have the beautiful grand children I do.

James Frederick: "Poppin' Johny" Graphite on paper — James Frederick: “Poppin’ Johnny” Graphite on paper

And speaking of grand-children, my grand-daughter Olivia is showing talent.

She recently married (you can read about her wedding in the three blogs posted by clicking on the picture of the lion that she drew while still in high-school [below]), and now has returned from her honeymoon anxious to get started with her art.

Grand-daughter, Olivia: Olivia's Lion — Grand-daughter, Olivia: Olivia’s Lion

So you can see, being surrounded by art and artists all my life, why wouldn’t I wish to pursue art for what is left of the rest of my life?

My aim is to help make art and artists accessible, so as many people as possible can share the joy it has brought me. You’ve probably heard me say it before, but my main goal is to progress art through awareness.

As so many artists have told me, the inspiration for their work is what they see around them. This is the same for me. I like what I see, and in the things that I see, I see stories. If somehow I can pass along with the depiction of my work, the semblance of something alive (or once may have been), and the beauty of my surroundings forever etched or painted on a substrate of paper, panel, or canvas then so be it.

Posted in Arlen Burton, art, Artist, James Frederick, Job, Lynn Burton, OLIVIA, painting, Pin-stripe, Richard D. Burton | Tagged Arlen Burton, art, art information, artist, James Frederick, Job, Lynn Burton, Olivia, painting, Richard D. Burton | Comments Off

A Short Review of Hot Topics

From time to time we at Art Center Information like to direct some of our new readers to different articles that have had a good amount of interest and visits from our friends. These articles may have also been missed by our consistent and faithful followers. This is just a short review of hot topics.

One of the most recent “hot” topic did not deal so much in art as it does my personal life. When my talented artist grand-daughter got married, I posted no less than three blog posts about the wedding. Her other grand-father was the late Texas artist James Frederick. (There have been many posts writing about him on this sight. What an artist he was.)

To read about the wedding, click on the picture below.

When you get to the sight, and have read the post, click on the second chapter posted on the next page. After reading this page, click on the last chapter (the next page).

sketch I quickly drew to get a Hotel room in Germany

The blog posted sometime back (that has had hilarious reviews) was discussing a business trip I made many years ago to Germany. The hotels were full and there were no rooms available. However, with my tidbit of art talent, I was able to talk them into finding me a way to get a room for the night. This was with drawing sketches only…not being able to speak the language. Click on the picture to read the article. Anyone will enjoy it.

Click on the picture to the right, and you will be able to read a another short article discussing my private life. It was just after marrying my wife (near 32 years ago), and how an art thief stole one of my favorite watercolors while we were moving to our new home.

Be sure to check out the other pages on this sight: The galleries (top), the Great opportunities page (top). Also, join our newsletter (upper right). If you are interested in reading about copyright for your artwork, check it out on the right hand side of page. I would appreciate you visiting my Facebook art page. Please like it if you do. Feel free to post one of your pieces of art and leave a message on the page. Also, leave a message on this page. We appreciate all conversation (as long as it is clean).

Posted in art center information, Artist, Hot Topics, painting, Richard D. Burton | Tagged art, art center information, art information, hot topics, Richard D. Burton | Comments Off