Plein Air Painting Essentials: A Painting Knife for Pastel

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Yes, you CAN use a painting knife with pastel!  Find out more here. 

What's a Painting Retreat?

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What's a painting retreat? Find out here!

Working Magic: Turning a Cloudy Scene into a Sunny One

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You can work the magic!  Details here.

The 2025 Calendar is Here!

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It's just in time -- my 2025 wall calendar!  Featuring 13 paintings of the American Southwest, Canadian Maritimes, Downeast Maine and, of course, Scotland.  I had a hard time selecting the paintings from all the ones I made this year, but I'm very pleased.  I hope you will be, too!  You can get it from Lulu here.

Sedona Retreat Report!

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Just got back from my annual Sedona painting retreat for experienced plein air painters.  Here's a report over on my Substack.

Back from Scotland

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Four weeks in Scotland, and now I'm back!  Here's a report, on my Substack.

Scotland / Week 3

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I've been traveling! But I've been keeping up with my blog over on Substack.  You can read all the entries there, but here is the latest.

https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/scotland-week-3 

Scotland / Preparations: Route

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The time has come!  If you'd like to follow my month-long trip, please head over to Substack.  I won't have time to also post to Blogger.  Go to: The time has come... https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/scotland-preparations-route

The Technical and the Painter

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A free post from my Substack: https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/the-technical-and-the-painter

A Summer of Gouache

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Free post for everyone on my Substack - a selection of my gouache paintings from this season. Go here: https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/a-summer-of-gouache

Sitting or Standing?

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Do you sit or stand when you paint? A Substack post for paid subscribers.

Retreat Report: 2024 Downeast/Maritimes Plein Air Painting Retreat

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Read my report on my latest painting retreat here - https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/retreat-report-2024-downeastmaritimes

Master Artist Flashback: Mark Mehaffey

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Here's the link:
 https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/master-artist-flashback-interview-1c5

(This is the final installment of my video interviews with master artists. We now return you to regular programming.)

Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview water media artist Mark Mehaffey.

Mark holds master and signature memberships in many organizations, including the American Watercolor and National Watercolor Societies. He's also won many major awards in exhibitions both here and abroad, such as the "Distinguished Master" award from the Transparent Watercolor Society of America for having over 20 paintings in its shows. Also a workshop instructor, Mark has written books and produced videos on painting in a variety of water media.

Book Review: The Story of Scottish Art

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I love all things Scottish, including Scottish art.  Here's an excellent book on the subject, which I review here.

A 60th Anniversary: Roosevelt Campobello International Park

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It's the Roosevelt Campobello International Park's 60th anniversary this week! (Or at least, this is the week it's being celebrated.) I'm opening my studio this week so you can see (and/or buy!) some of the paintings I've made of the park's cottages and natural landscape. Details here - https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/a-60th-anniversary-roosevelt-campobello

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Lyn Asselta

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Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview Maine pastel artist, Lyn Asselta.

Video here

Lyn holds top designations in several organizations, including Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America and Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies.  Her award-winning paintings have been exhibited in shows throughout the US as well as in France and China, and she's also a much-sought-after teacher for both studio and plein air pastel workshops.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Kim Lordier

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Watch the Interview Here

Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview California pastel artist, Kim Lordier.

Kim holds top designations in several organizations, including Signature Memberships in the California Art Club, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and the Pastel Society of America, as well as Distinguished Pastelist in the Pastel Society of the West Coast. Her award-winning paintings have been shown in many major exhibitions such as the Coors Western Art Show, and they have been published in magazines and books. Kim also teaches workshops across the US.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Nathan Fowkes

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Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview master artist Nathan Fowkes.

Click here for the interview

Nathan is a concept artist for animation and entertainment projects with clients such as DreamWorks, Blue Sky and Disney, and he has screen credits for 12 feature films. But he's not just a studio artist. As you'll learn in our interview, much of his concept art is inspired by his adventures in plein air painting.

How Clean is YOUR Palette?

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Some thoughts of cleaning one's oil palette. Link here.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Calvin Liang

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I recently had the chance to chat with California artist Calvin Liang for my ongoing series of interviews of artists from my new book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. Originally from China, where he studied at the prestigious Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and did theatrical set design, Calvin moved to California once his country opened its borders. Soon employed by Disney and Nickelodeon, he worked on many animated films including “Little Mermaid” and “Spongebob Squarepants.” Always eager to return to fine art, he finally did so full-time, and since then he's won many awards and has been featured in many exhibitions. He has Master Signature membership with Oil Painters of America—a very distinguished achievement indeed. (Visit www.CalvinLiangFineArt.com.)

I was pleased to meet Calvin several years ago when each of us was invited to participate at the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, one of the country's premier plein air painting competitions. And so it was my pleasure to talk to him again, this time in his studio in southern California. View it here.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Lorenzo Chavez

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Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview Lorenzo Chavez, who creates impressionistic plein air pastel and oil landscape paintings of the American West. A native of New Mexico, Lorenzo was first inspired by the New Mexican landscape and the long succession of other artists who have found inspiration in the area. Although he now makes his home near Denver, he continues to travel and to paint the American Southwest and the West.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Sandra Nunes

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Here’s another interview of the artists from my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air. This time, I interview Brazilian artist, Sandra Nunes.

Sandra received her Bachelor in Letters and Arts at Rio de Janeiro Federal University and has traveled abroad extensively where she studied paintings by all the great masters including her favorite painter, Joaquin Sorolla. Her paintings, which have won awards in many painting competitions, can be found in both private and public collections, including the Brazilian Navy, the Rio Zoo Foundation and Rio de Janeiro Federal University. Sandra, as you'll learn, enjoys not only painting the outdoors but also painting portraits and from the figure, as well.

Why You Aren't Seeing Me Much on YouTube

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mchesleyjohnson.substack.com

Reminder: LIVE Interview!

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Just a friendly reminder about my upcoming LIVE interview this Tuesday evening!  Details here.

"Somewhere in the Cuillin" 16x20 Oil

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Here's a new painting I want to introduce to you.  You can read about it over on my Substack.

Upcoming Painting Retreat in Sedona, Arizona!

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Join me in this exclusive, limited painting retreat!  Details on my Substack.

Experience: Portable Painter Watercolor Palette and Tubed Gouache

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I've been experimenting with a new watercolor palette and tubed gouache.  You can read about it here.

Master Artist Flashback: Interview with Stephen Quiller

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A couple of years ago, after finishing my book, Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air, I decided to interview the artists who participated. Here’s my interview with master artist Stephen Quiller, the man who re-introduced gouache and casein to the world.  See it on my Substack! Https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com

Heading for Scotland - And I'd Like Your Help!

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I'm heading to Scotland in September.  Interested in helping me get there?  Then please read my Substack at this link.

My Least Favorite Task - Plus Some Tips on Cleaning Your Palette

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My least favorite task?  Read about how I clean my oil palette here on my Substack page.

Painting Retreat Report: Hiking to Sketch in Sedona

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Just got back from an awesome painting retreat in Sedona, Arizona.  Read all about it on my Substack, here.

What Does "Painting to See" Mean?

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An explanation of what I mean by "painting to see."  Read it here on my Substack.

Spring into your Studio!

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Exciting news for artists! I’m thrilled to be able to offer 20% OFF mentorship for your FIRST 2 MONTHS.

Sign up for my mentoring group at https://www.mastrius.com/Michael-Chesley-Johnson-mentorship/

👉 Use coupon code: friend_of_mcj 👈

👉 Find my mentorship group with @mastrius.official

💥 Get mentored by myself alongside a maximum of 8 other artists
💥 Grow your skills – FASTER and with more SUPPORT

ACT FAST! I can only offer this until April 12, 2024

🧑‍🎨 Here’s what you get with mentorship:
🖌 Tailor made guidance and support to help you meet your goals
🖌 Community and accountability through regular online meetings, where we address unique challenges and hurdles you face as an artist
🖌 Personalized assignments and technique demos to help broaden your skills

🚀 Are you ready to take your art to the next level?

🌐 MORE INFO: Visit @mastrius.official to join my mentorship group!

#artcareergrowth #buildyourartcareer #paintingmaster #emergingartist #artistmentor #artmentor #elevateyourart #learntogether #createtogether #artistnetwork #creativecommunity #artcommunity #mastriuscommunity #mastriusartist

Upcoming Live Painting Demonstration

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Now that I’ve got broadband at my rural studio, I’m able to present live painting demonstrations. As part of my mentoring for Mastrius, I’m giving my first demonstration, in oil, on April 11th, Thursday, from 5-7 PM MDT. I hope to see you there!

Here are some details:

✅ Tickets are FREE with my exclusive coupon code: i_know_michael

🚩 INFO and SIGN UP at @mastrius.official or https://www.mastrius.com/upcoming-events/

LIVE DEMO: CAPTURING THE HIGHLAND LANDSCAPE

THURSDAY, April 11, 2024 / 4–6pm PDT / 5–7pm MDT / 7–9pm EDT / 12am–2am BST (Friday) / 9am–11am AEST (Friday)

In this demonstration, you'll learn how to:

• Start a painting fearlessly by trusting your instincts

• Build reliable techniques for consistently strong work

• Use effective tools, incl. a painting knife and soft plastic wedge

• Explore and consider your own creative voice and motivation behind creating

Always LIVE & INTERACTIVE!

🚩 Tickets are only $19 | FREE for Mastrius Members!

✅ Tickets are FREE with my exclusive coupon code: i_know_michael

🎙️ Event recording available for Mastrius Members only!

How to Prepare for a Plein Air Workshop, Part 2

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Here is part two of How to Prepare for a Plein Air Painting Workshop.  Follow this link to read the post on my Substack page. 

Interview with Me, Part 1

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On Substack! https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/interview-with-me-part-1

How to Prepare for a Plein Air Painting Workshop, Part 1

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Even though we had SNOW again yesterday, I'm getting ready! https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/how-to-prepare-for-a-plein-air-workshop

Some Gouache Sketches from the Winter

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Winter's over...or is it?  Details on my Substack blog here! https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/some-gouache-sketches-from-the-winter

Demo: Stromness Waterfront, 12x16 Pastel

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You can read this post over on my new Substack blog, here: https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/p/demo-stromness-waterfront-12x16-pastel 

Motivation and the Artist

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Click Here to read this post on my Substack blog.

Reminder: Meet the Mentor

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I just want to remind all my followers that you can join me for FREE in the Mastrius “Meet the Mentor” hour today, Thursday, February 29th, at 5 PM MT. (4 PM PT / 5 PM MT / 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET.) Join me at this link via Zoom.

During the program, I’ll be interviewed briefly, and then I’ll launch into my presentation on “Making Your Best Guess” in pastel. I hope you’ll join me!

Join Me for my "Meet the Mentor" Session!

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Mark your calendars! On February 29th, Thursday, at 5 pm Mountain Time, I’ll be live on Zoom and interviewed by Mastrius, the group that I am now mentoring for. You can join me for FREE at this link at that time:

https://mastrius.zoom.us/j/87431353402?pwd=eFdQK3VMLzZ0NUgrWFg1YkQ2cWVudz09

(4 PT / 5 MT / 6 CT / 7 ET)

The program will last an hour, and I’ll be talking about what I do, why I do it and how I do it. Then, I’ll give a short demonstration of a painting technique that I call “making your best guess.” Are you a painter and frustrated with that first step in making color choices? In this technique, I show you how making an exact choice doesn’t matter! Just make your best guess, and take comfort in the knowledge that you can adjust that choice in the next phase. The demonstration will be in pastel.

Also, the program is an introduction to me as a Master Artist and mentor for Mastrius. Starting March 10th, I’ll begin mentoring up to 10 aspiring artists. If you’re looking for guidance, consider this online group mentoring program. You can find out more details about my program here.

I hope to see you “live” via Zoom on the 29th!

I'm Now Over on Substack!

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Did I fail to mention that I'm now over on Substack?  If you're an email subscriber to this blog, I've already moved you over to it to make sure you get every post, uninterrupted.  If you're viewing this blog through its RSS feed, you'll want to change your feed reader to go instead to:

https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com/feed

Best, though, is if you simply subscribe either at https://mchesleyjohnson.substack.com or here:

I offer both FREE and PAID subscriptions.  Paid subscribers get monthly podcasts and paid-only posts.  Although I may not add new posts to my Blogger blog, I'll keep it up for awhile longer.  Thanks!

What is Casein?

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Here's my set of casein colors.  Also, I highly
recommend using a Sta-Wet palette to keep the paints moist.

At this point, most of you should be familiar with gouache.  It seems like every painter out there on social media is playing with this opaque, water-based medium.  But do you know about casein?  If you've heard of "milk paint"—once used to paint houses in the 1800s—it's basically the same thing, but with pigment.  This old medium is edging back into the spotlight, and deservedly so.

Casein is similar to gouache in most of its properties except one.  Made with a binder derived from milk, it can't be re-wet once dry, a property which, besides casein's cheapness, made it useful for house painting.  (A dilute solution of ammonia will help clean up any dried-on paint.)  The fact that the surface is durable and can be varnished makes it perhaps a superior medium to gouache.  It should still be framed under glass, though, if the painting is done on paper.  

By the way, casein tends to have a slight odor, which some artists find unpleasant.  I consider its smell, and in fact that of any art material, to be simply part of the magic that goes into making our art.

I first found out about casein from Stephen Quiller, whom I consider the master of water media.  Having painted in it for many years, he finally wrote a book about it, Casein Painting with Stephen Quiller.  He also helped Jack Richeson develop a new line of Shiva casein colors.  (The line is named for artist Ramon Shiva, who created the first casein paints for artists in the 1930s.)  With Stephen's encouragement, I picked up a set of colors and got to work.  You might give it a try.

If you'd like to learn more about casein, the Richeson Art web site has some excellent information here.

Announcing a New Mentoring Program

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I’m very excited to share with you some good news. Mastrius has selected me to be a Master Artist for its excellent mentoring program. If you haven’t heard of Mastrius, it’s a learning platform for artists with the mission of taking them to the next level in both craft and career. What’s more, it specializes in mentoring, working with both aspiring and emerging artists as well as more accomplished ones. When I researched the company and interviewed, I was very impressed with the program and the good reviews given by participants—and mentors, too.

In my online program, I’ll be conducting group sessions each month, with no more than ten participants, in a non-competitive, mutually-supportive atmosphere. Here’s what I offer:

Our group will focus on helping artists get to where they need to go–which is not necessarily where they think they need to go! We’ll look at recent samples of everyone’s work, listen to concerns and goals of participants, and then determine a mutually-agreed-upon path forward for each individual. As each month goes by, I’ll critique assignments and give further guidance. Because I will be working with aspiring artists, we’ll pay particular attention to some of the basics—design, color and finish—and also to process and technique. We’ll even get into the business and marketing side of things as needed.

I invite you to learn more about my program at this link. Besides our monthly sessions, you’ll have a monthly Q&A session with me, access to ongoing chats, and lots more.

I hope you’ll join us! But don’t wait to long, as my mentoring program starts March 10.

Useful Practice: Copying the Masters

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Who's the artist?
(Pssst...me, but I'm copying John Singer Sargent)

Copying masterworks is nothing new.  Art students have done it for as long as there have been art students.  It's a useful practice, because it helps you understand the master's process, and it can teach you about composition, color use and more.

Recently, I started taking an online Schoolism course from Nathan Fowkes, one called "Environment Design."  (Perhaps more about that in a future post.)  As one of the first exercises, he asks the student to copy ten paintings that the student admires, paying special attention to simplifying the painting and to exaggerating what each painting's about.

As much as I'd love to go to a museum and plop down my easel in front of a beautiful painting, I don't live anywhere near one.  Intead, I went to my collection of art books—these are big coffee table books that a weightlifter might use to train with—and laid them out on the workbench in my studio.  Paging through them, I put yellow sticky notes on paintings that I've admired over the years.  I went through a lot of yellow sticky notes.

Next, I pulled out my casein paints.  (Not sure what casein is?  I'll write about that next.)  As I worked on each copy, I propped up the book—not an easy task when it seems to weigh 20 pounds—and got to work.  Each copy was small, less than 9x12, and quick, no more than an hour, to avoid having time to add detail.  

With each copy, I posted an image of it on social media and asked followers to guess who I'd copied.  Most folks got them right, but one puzzled all but a friend of mine, a collector who knows his art. I thought I'd share my copies here, along with the names of the artists.  There were so many more I could copy, but I want to move on to the next section of Fowkes' course.

What did I learn from this exercise?  I'm not going to tell you.  Try making some copies yourself, and see what you learn. 

Yes, another Sargent.

Joaquin Sorolla

Granville Redmond
 (A California impressionist, but not a household name.)

Eduoard Manet