I painted Violet Woods back in 2019. Today we’re painting it again, and this time I want to explore something that fascinated me about the original: the use of violet in the underpainting, mixed into burnt umber and burnt sienna. It’s an approach...
Welcome to another tonalist landscape oil painting demonstration. This is Woolies Bay Afternoon, a five by seven I painted last week. I want to talk about why I painted it and what it shows about how painting actually works. The Postcard I’ve been...
Revisiting a coastal scene I’m painting a five by seven postcard-sized piece today. It’s Willy’s Bay, a scene I’ve been thinking about for a while. There’s a gallery I like near there—good people—and I want to create a card they can use to...
Today I’m bringing you a painting called Breaking Through, 6×8, which I completed last week. I really like this one, and I think you’ll enjoy seeing how it comes together. Why the 6×8 Format Works The 6×8 format is ideal for my painting...
Today I’m working on a 6×8 painting based on a scene I’ve painted many times before. It’s from a field in England. I’ve done versions of this composition so many times that I know it works. Every painting I’ve done from this reference...
The painting I’m bringing you today is called Amber Path, 5×7. I painted this just a couple days ago and I really liked it. I think you will too. I was out walking thinking about what I wanted to say about this painting....
Drawing, Color, and the Art of Restraint Good morning, afternoon, or evening. This is your painter in residence, Michael Francis McCarthy, occasionally known as M. Francis McCarthy. Yesterday I painted a coastal scene—really a sky painting with a little peninsula worked in. I’m...
The color of your board is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make Welcome to Easel Talk #38. Today’s talk is about ground color—the color of the board you’re painting on. It sounds simple, but I’m telling you, it’s one of the...
Lessons in Color, Scale, and Painting Smart The painting I’m bringing you today is called The Edge of Light. It’s a 4 painting I’m bringing you today is called The Edge of Light. It’s a 4 by 6, and I painted this last...
Revisiting a reference I painted years ago. Maybe some of you have noticed I’ve moved away from the M. It’s just time. Big changes afoot. Check out the new website at mfrancismcarthy.art, lots of videos there, really easy to scroll through. Why Paint...