Concept to Canvas

One of the main topics I addressed was a common question from art students about how to paint rocks underwater. My initial response was a straightforward "you don't," which might have seemed slightly blunt. However, I explained that successful painting is about understanding fundamental principles like values, colors, and edges. It's about more than the specific subject, like underwater rocks, but these core elements. I pointed out that focusing too much on painting underwater rocks can cause one to miss the critical components that make a painting look realistic. For example, to depict rocks under water effectively, you need to use more muted colors, softer edges, and closer-together values. I also emphasized the importance of drawing and observing how rocks appear flatter as they recede underwater. We then broadened the discussion to painting various subjects, including trees. I advised against getting caught up in the specifics, like whether you're painting a spruce or an oak. Instead, could you focus on the shapes involved? Concentrating on basic shapes rather than the specific identity of the subject can achieve a more accurate and effective representation in your work. Reflecting on my teaching experiences, I stressed the importance of returning to the basics of art. Many students want to dive into complex subjects, like large bouquets in still life, but I always emphasize simplifying their approach. By focusing on basic shapes and forms, you can create visually appealing arrangements that resonate more with viewers. I also discussed how overthinking can hinder artistic progress. Instead of getting bogged down by intricate details, prioritize shapes, values, and colors. This streamlined approach can lead to more tremendous success in your artistic endeavors. I shared some personal anecdotes from my early days as an artist, revealing that I, too, was once distracted by the specific identities of animals and objects rather than focusing on their underlying shapes. To sign up for a free webinar, check out ⁠https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration⁠ Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website ⁠svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/⁠ Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/svagrikart/⁠ Facebook ⁠business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Welcome back to "Concept to Canvas," and join us as we delve into the world of landscapes, colors, and techniques with expert artist insights. In this episode, I am in the stunning White Mountains of Arizona. Amidst the green aspens and pine trees, we'll tackle the challenge of making a predominantly green landscape exciting and vibrant. Learn how to observe and mix your own greens, avoid store-bought crutches, and leverage the changing light to add variety and depth to your paintings. Plus, get tips on the importance of painting from life and making color swatches outdoors. To sign up for a free webinar, check out: ⁠https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration⁠ Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website ⁠svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/⁠ Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/svagrikart/⁠ Facebook ⁠business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart⁠

Are you painting for excellence or just to fill a space on the wall? Often I hear students speak about having to paint in certain dimensions, but bigger isn't always better... To sign up for a free webinar, check out: ⁠https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration⁠ Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website ⁠svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/⁠ Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/svagrikart/⁠ Facebook ⁠business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart⁠

Painters are often tempted to over explain their subject by going into detail. But too many details muddies the character of the painting. To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

A vital part of creativity is allowing yourself time everyday to pause and reflect. Here I discuss my philosophy of alone time and how I carve out time every day to achieve it. To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but you can improve how fast you paint, which is particularly important if you are a plain air painter, if you practice consistently.   To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

When you write a paper, the best place to begin is with an outline, an overview of what you would like to say. Similarly with painting, especially plein air painting, you ought to focus on the big ideas, the whole picture, instead of getting bogged down with one aspect of the painting. To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I get asked by the students at our academy about brushwork and how much it matters, and that answer depends on your level. To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Depending on the type of landscape you are painting, shadows in the distance may not necessarily always be lighter... To sign up for a free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

As painters, we are all illusionists, but how ought we to go about creating the illusion of light? In this episode I offer you some ways to improve your understanding and application of light in paintings. To sign up for this free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

After a long hiatus, we are back on the Concept to Canvas podcast with a rather unusual episode! In my recent webinar, "4 Key Mistakes to Avoid when Painting Rocks," I was asked a question regarding how to paint rocks underwater, and elaborate on my answer in this episode. To sign up for this free webinar, check out: https://gaborsvagrik.easywebinar.live/registration Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

In this episode I discuss best practices for dealing with our short comings when producing art. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

In this episode I discuss my favorite cameras for shooting out in the field. For my Blog post about the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX 100 VII: https://svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/2021/5/8/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx-100-vii Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

One way to approach a painting is to consider what object (be it a color, person, animal, etc.) you want to be the star of your piece. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos and more! Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Quality should always trump quantity when it comes to painting. Perhaps working on a smaller canvas would help refine your painting skills. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart/

While all art needs a solid foundation on which to begin, once you have the fundamentals mastered there is no limit to where your creative journey will take you. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart/

After years of attending and teaching workshops, I often get asked the same questions and see artists struggling with the same common issues, five of which I discuss here. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Are you immersed in what your paint? In this episode I emphasize the importance of spending time with your subject and absorbing your surroundings. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Gabor contemplates on how every teacher has a unique way of presenting a subject, but cautions students against jumping around from instructor, to instructor, to instructor, and so on. Find a few instructors that really speak to you, and dive deep with them. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

A good frame should highlight the beauty of your painting, but how much is too much when it comes to choosing the right frame? Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Which easels are the best for outdoor painting? Learn what to look for when buying a rig in this episode of Concept to Canvas. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Images from the internet and social media are constantly around us, but can spending too much time on the internet trying to imitate other people's art actually burden our own creative process? Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

After a long break, Concept to Canvas is back! Today's topic is fear: Fear often has negative connotations, but have you ever thought about channeling it to motivate your art? Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook www.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Shapes are something we all can recognize. We dont need anyone tell us what we are looking at. In this episode I will explain my thoughts on this simple yet important topic. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Red is a warm color. Or at least that is how we perceive it. However red can also be cool in relationship to other colors around it. In this episode, I will discuss this important topic. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Moving things around on our reference or in life can be good or bad. Listen to Randy Sexton's points on this topic. Randy Sexton's instructional videos: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/randall-sexton-artist-instructional-video Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

We are all trying to say something in our paintings. Regardless of the message, we must tap into the essence of the scene. Today I have Andy Evansen in my studio and he will share his thoughts on this topic.   Andy Evansen instructional video series: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/andy-evansen-videos Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

This topic is asked of me often. I will try to simplify my answer to you. It is really not hard at all to make rocks look like rocks underwater. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I moved into a newly built studio and needed time to figure out where to put my easel. I will share my thoughts on moving into a new studio. This could also just moving your studio from one part of the house to another. Visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Painting is really connected to drawing. In this episode, I will tell you which type of paper I like to use for sketching and drawing (sketching is just a term for short quick form study). Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Greens are always interesting to mix since they can lean warm or cool. Today I have Matt Smith in the studio with me giving your his answer on why we should mix our greens.  Matt Smith videos: https://tucsonartacademyonline.com/matt-smith-artist-instructional-video Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I do not premix color but I know some good artists that do. In this episode, I will share my thoughts on this topic which might encourage you to try something new. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I stopped using pre mixed raw umber many years ago. It really helped me to think more about color and use pre mixed versions. In this episode I will tell you why I think it's a good idea that you should stop using it also. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I want to debunk that uses of the camera. There is lots of bad information floating out there about the use of the camera in art. In this episode, I will let you know my angel on this topic. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I think there is a misconception about the wet medium as not drawing. In this episode I think I will clear up some this confusion. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

With oil paints we have the ability to create a third dimension. In this episode I will talk about my thinking on using texture in your art. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

This is often a hot topic amongst painters but I thought to put my two cents into to. I have been painting outdoors for over 20 years so I think I have some experience with this. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

When I use the pastel medium I like to call it painting. I treat is similar to oil paint. Mixing and blending on the paper. Listen to this episode my thought on this topic  Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos.  Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/  Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/  Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Drawing is such a fundamental process in art that we need to pursue it for all of our lives. I want to share with you my favorite soft pencil that I use most of the time. Here is a fun link to a site that will explain all about pencil https://pencils.com/hb-graphite-grading-scale/ Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

The materials of brushes are changing with modern science but I think you will enjoy to hear my thoughts on what I like to use. This is the link to the synthetic line of brushes that are close to hog bristle https://www.rosemaryandco.com/oil-brushes/ivory-oils/ivory-long-flats Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

The reason I titled this post as such is to perk your interest as to what it is that we need to pay attention when studying painting. I think you will really enjoy this episode. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Just this one simple thing can make a huge difference in getting cleaner colors on your paintings. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I have had many criticisms of my work over the years and learned a lot from most of them. I a good critique can be a very helpful thing in your growth. In this episode I will give my insights on this topic. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

This is a tough topic that I think has multiply answers. Listen in to hear my feelings on this. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Repeating the same scene is a very good practice to learn more about your previous painting. I will tell you why this is a good practice. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

If your paint cap is stuck you can use a neat little trick that I will tell you about in this episode. Oh..and that is also a sign that your are not painting enough :) Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

In my opinion as a landscape artist north light in the studio is not important. Listen to my answer why in this episode. Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos.  Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

In this episode I will tell you what colors I like to use to get a warm green. I know this topic is something many landscape painters are interested in.  Make sure to visit my blog for free instructional videos. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

I have painted with different monitors over the years and I want to share these experiences with you and give you suggestions. Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

Many students have asked me about this brush so on this episode I will explain why it is one of my favorites. Also here is the link below to get you right to the brush https://www.utrechtart.com/Utrecht-Series-103-Bristle-Brush--Filbert-X-Long-MP-04606-001-i1005906.utrecht Website svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart

There are many type of brushes out there but one of my goto are flats. In this episode I will explain why I like them and which one I enjoy using. Website https://svagrikfineart.com/gabor-svagrik-blog/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/svagrikart/ Facebook https://business.facebook.com/svagrikfineart