“A Cloudy Day at the Rockaways” will go up for auction at the Salmagundi Club on May 18th at 8pm. The Salmagundi Club is located at 47 fifth Avenue. This handsomely framed 24″ by 30″ oil on canvas work depicts ten beach goers on an overcast afternoon. Opening bid is $550. Click on the link below for more information.
Update: This painting was sold at auction to a private collector
This painting will go to the auction block on May 18th, 2018
I have a painting on display in the Salmagundi Centennial Exhibition and Sale. The show runs from till March 23 at the Salmagundi Club at 47 Fifth Avenue, in New York City. There will be a reception on March 22nd starting at 6pm. For more information click on the links below:
2018 SCNY Centennial Exhibition info
“In 1917 the Artists and Patrons of the Salmagundi Club decided to purchase the brownstone building at 47 Fifth Avenue as their permanent home. Some of the greatest artists in American history contributed paintings to an Art Sale to help fund that original purchase. This art exhibition is in commemoration of the original show one hundred years ago, that allowed this club to purchase it’s current home.”
“Study No. 1 With Paint Labeled Caucasian Flesh Tone” oil on Canvas, 12″x16″
“Study No. 2 With Paint Labeled Caucasian Flesh Tone” oil on Canvas, 12″x16″
This post is about paint colors. Specifically, the paint color that I used in the midtones and highlights in the two portraits above. If you don’t care about pigments, then you should stop reading and look at the (hopefully) pretty paintings above. If you are a pigment junky like myself, then you should keep reading. note: I included the pigment abbreviations in parenthesis after each paint that I mention.
A few months ago, I decided to add a new Gamblin color to my pallet; Caucasian Flesh Tone (PW6, PY43, PR108). I had previously integrated a lovely pink called Blush (PW6, PR101) and I thought it was time to try out some more mixed tubes. Maybe I can improve my flesh tone consistency between sittings?
Plus I’ve had great results with Gamblin, I feel like their paint making division gets me and my aversion to safflower oil. Buttery texture is low on your priorities when your paintings take between 5 to 25 sessions in the studio.
So I put some on my pallet. The biggest surprise for me was how yellow it was. I was painting a very pale woman and a somewhat tanned man, “well I guess this will work on the guy.”
I ended up using a very tiny amount on the woman. I found that Caucasian Flesh Tone only seemed to work on flesh that was tan.
It got me thinking, I painted ladies of Korean and Indian descent before and found it difficult to keep their skin mid tones and highlights consistent. Not difficult. Time consuming. This paint looks like a match for them.
I painted 12″x16″ busts of these two ladies and found that this tube does it for the mid tones and highlights. I used Mars Black (PBk 11), Burnt Umber (PBr7), and Burnt Sienna (PR 102) for the shadows and Flake White Replacement (PW6) for glare.
In conclusion, Caucasian Flesh Tone is another great paint… I would rename it something like “Melanin Mid Tone and Highlight”. Never mind, that’s a terrible name. “Non-Caucasian Flesh Tone”? “Tan skin”? Okay, I have no idea what to call it.
Disclaimer: I do not work for or get any money from Gamblin. This post is devoid of advertisement or commercial underpinnings.
The National Art League has presented a merit award for “The Swing Out”, which is currently on display on their gallery floor as a part of the Big & Small art show which runs through March 4th.
Ginger Study
“Ginger Study” is included in the Barnes Gallery 2017 Special Exhibition. This group show runs from January 10th through February 25. There will be a reception on Saturday February 4th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. The Barnes Gallery is located at 2 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City South, NY 11530. For more information, click on the link below:
On Friday January 13th from 7pm-10pm, I will have several paintings on display at Pizza and Gallery Night put on by Brooklyn Swings. Five swing dance related oil paintings will be featured. Also, there will be dancing and a live jazz band. All ages are welcome to attend.
The event will be held at 231 Ainslie Street in Brooklyn, NY. Go upstairs and enter the double doors under the church awning (Subway riders take the L train to the Graham Ave stop).
The Lindy Hop Party, Oil on Linen, 24″x36″ (2016)
The first oil painting in a new series that I’m working on will be on display at The National Art League through December 3rd. The National Art League is located in Douglaston, New York.
This series will show contemporary portrayals of people in partner dance. “The Lindy Hop Party” is a 24″x”36″ oil on linen painting of seven people participating in a social dance.
Last month, judges for The Greenpoint Gallery of Brooklyn, New York began reviewing work from over a hundred different artists from across America for the 2016 National Competition. I am very pleased that they decided to give me an honorable mention for several paintings submitted from the Ladies in Black series.
The Gateway Art Center will be showing the oil paintings “Waiting For Coffee” and “Waiting in a Cold Apartment” From October 18th through the 31st. There will be a reception on October 20th from 4-7PM. All are welcome to attend.
The GAC is located at 4 W43rd street in Manhattan. See their website for more gallery hours.
Take a look at the latest copy of The Mariner on Page 24 and 25. You’ll find Bridget Bendo’s interview with Seth Harris. Thanks to her and her team for including us in their magazine.
Seth Harris' paintings are available as prints by clicking on the above image. Choose from a variety of sizes and framing options. Canvas prints are also available.
The Story of Benedict the Dinosaur. Written and illustrated by Seth Harris. Available in paperback and on kindle.