Patrick Saunders Fine Arts
@patricksaunders.bsky.social
I love what I do.
Is it better to create paintings from life or from photo reference? A subject of seemingly perpetual debate. I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both in my latest art newsletter - sign up for it at PatrickSaunders.com.
"Knapps Narrows Shine”
• Oil on Linen
• 14" x 18”
• Private Collection
"Knapps Narrows Shine”
• Oil on Linen
• 14" x 18”
• Private Collection
January 22, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Is it better to create paintings from life or from photo reference? A subject of seemingly perpetual debate. I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both in my latest art newsletter - sign up for it at PatrickSaunders.com.
"Knapps Narrows Shine”
• Oil on Linen
• 14" x 18”
• Private Collection
"Knapps Narrows Shine”
• Oil on Linen
• 14" x 18”
• Private Collection
Here's another rarely seen piece by Nicolai Fechin that is part of the current exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, Oklahoma.
"Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 9.5" x 8.5"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 9.5" x 8.5"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Here's another rarely seen piece by Nicolai Fechin that is part of the current exhibition at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, Oklahoma.
"Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 9.5" x 8.5"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Portrait of Ksenia Pankratova"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 9.5" x 8.5"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
My 90-minute portrait study last night at a Coppini Academy of Fine Art open model session. I painted thicker and quicker on this one, letting the paint texture add character to the face.
“Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 90 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
“Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 90 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
January 15, 2026 at 4:42 PM
My 90-minute portrait study last night at a Coppini Academy of Fine Art open model session. I painted thicker and quicker on this one, letting the paint texture add character to the face.
“Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 90 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
“Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 90 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
I often find I can learn as much about oil painting from a watercolor as I can from an oil painting, and this work by John Singer Sargent is no exception.
"In the Generalife"
• John Singer Sargent
• Watercolor, wax crayon, graphite on paper
• 1912
• 14 3/4" x 17 7/8"
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
"In the Generalife"
• John Singer Sargent
• Watercolor, wax crayon, graphite on paper
• 1912
• 14 3/4" x 17 7/8"
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
January 13, 2026 at 6:29 PM
I often find I can learn as much about oil painting from a watercolor as I can from an oil painting, and this work by John Singer Sargent is no exception.
"In the Generalife"
• John Singer Sargent
• Watercolor, wax crayon, graphite on paper
• 1912
• 14 3/4" x 17 7/8"
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
"In the Generalife"
• John Singer Sargent
• Watercolor, wax crayon, graphite on paper
• 1912
• 14 3/4" x 17 7/8"
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
I don't believe this piece by Nicolai Fechin has been exhibited publicly in 40 years, so it was a real treat to see in person at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, OK.
"Point Lobos"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 20" x 24"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Point Lobos"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 20" x 24"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 5:34 PM
I don't believe this piece by Nicolai Fechin has been exhibited publicly in 40 years, so it was a real treat to see in person at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman, OK.
"Point Lobos"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 20" x 24"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Point Lobos"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• 20" x 24"
• ca. 1925
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by Scottish artist Joseph Crawhall from the permanent collection of the @nationalgalleries.bsky.social .
"The White Drake"
• Joseph Crawhall III
• Watercolor and Gouache on Linen
• 1895
• 40.70 x 57.10 cm
"The White Drake"
• Joseph Crawhall III
• Watercolor and Gouache on Linen
• 1895
• 40.70 x 57.10 cm
December 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by Scottish artist Joseph Crawhall from the permanent collection of the @nationalgalleries.bsky.social .
"The White Drake"
• Joseph Crawhall III
• Watercolor and Gouache on Linen
• 1895
• 40.70 x 57.10 cm
"The White Drake"
• Joseph Crawhall III
• Watercolor and Gouache on Linen
• 1895
• 40.70 x 57.10 cm
Artist friends, most of my 2026 painting workshops are already sold out, but if you want to paint with me next year, my spring Booth Art Academy class in Georgia still has some openings: patricksaunders.com/classes_pain...
“Anticipation”
• Oil on Canvas
• 18” x 22"
• Private Collection
“Anticipation”
• Oil on Canvas
• 18” x 22"
• Private Collection
December 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Artist friends, most of my 2026 painting workshops are already sold out, but if you want to paint with me next year, my spring Booth Art Academy class in Georgia still has some openings: patricksaunders.com/classes_pain...
“Anticipation”
• Oil on Canvas
• 18” x 22"
• Private Collection
“Anticipation”
• Oil on Canvas
• 18” x 22"
• Private Collection
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features two more pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" that I had not seen in person prior to this show.
"Mexican Cowboy"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
• Private Collection
"Mexican Cowboy"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
• Private Collection
December 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday features two more pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" that I had not seen in person prior to this show.
"Mexican Cowboy"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
• Private Collection
"Mexican Cowboy"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
• Private Collection
White elements are often darker and filled with more color than you might think. Read my latest art newsletter for some things to consider when painting white subject matter. Sign up at the link in the comments.
"Paper Lantern"
• Oil on Linen
• 9" x 12"
• Private Collection
"Paper Lantern"
• Oil on Linen
• 9" x 12"
• Private Collection
December 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
White elements are often darker and filled with more color than you might think. Read my latest art newsletter for some things to consider when painting white subject matter. Sign up at the link in the comments.
"Paper Lantern"
• Oil on Linen
• 9" x 12"
• Private Collection
"Paper Lantern"
• Oil on Linen
• 9" x 12"
• Private Collection
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by British artist John Stanton Ward.
"Miss Lucy Freeman"
• John Stanton Ward
• Oil on Canvas
• 1968
• 76 x 50.5cm
• Private Collection
"Miss Lucy Freeman"
• John Stanton Ward
• Oil on Canvas
• 1968
• 76 x 50.5cm
• Private Collection
December 16, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by British artist John Stanton Ward.
"Miss Lucy Freeman"
• John Stanton Ward
• Oil on Canvas
• 1968
• 76 x 50.5cm
• Private Collection
"Miss Lucy Freeman"
• John Stanton Ward
• Oil on Canvas
• 1968
• 76 x 50.5cm
• Private Collection
I enjoyed an open model session last night at the Coppini Academy of Fine Art. This was a quick one in just over an hour.
“Jacqueline Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 75 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
“Jacqueline Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 75 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I enjoyed an open model session last night at the Coppini Academy of Fine Art. This was a quick one in just over an hour.
“Jacqueline Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 75 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
“Jacqueline Portrait Study”
• Oil on Linen
• 11” x 14”
• 75 Minutes
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is just one of the great pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.
"Portrait of Eya"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Portrait of Eya"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is just one of the great pieces from the exhibition "Nicolai Fechin: An Artistic Journey" at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.
"Portrait of Eya"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Portrait of Eya"
• Nicolai Fechin
• Oil on Canvas
• Not Dated
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
My current LederEasel plein air painting setup is light, compact and affordable.
#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairgear #pleinairtools #pleinairsetup #ledereasel #obentripod #mastersonpalette
#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairgear #pleinairtools #pleinairsetup #ledereasel #obentripod #mastersonpalette
December 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
My current LederEasel plein air painting setup is light, compact and affordable.
#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairgear #pleinairtools #pleinairsetup #ledereasel #obentripod #mastersonpalette
#patricksaunders #patricksaundersfinearts #pleinair #pleinairpainting #pleinairartist #pleinairgear #pleinairtools #pleinairsetup #ledereasel #obentripod #mastersonpalette
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is another large mural by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library.
"Ayamonte. La pesca del atún"
• Joaquín Sorolla
• Oil on Canvas
• 1919
• 11.4' x 15.9'
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Ayamonte. La pesca del atún"
• Joaquín Sorolla
• Oil on Canvas
• 1919
• 11.4' x 15.9'
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 10:39 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is another large mural by Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library.
"Ayamonte. La pesca del atún"
• Joaquín Sorolla
• Oil on Canvas
• 1919
• 11.4' x 15.9'
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Ayamonte. La pesca del atún"
• Joaquín Sorolla
• Oil on Canvas
• 1919
• 11.4' x 15.9'
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
Artist friends, if you want to paint with me next year, only three 2026 workshops are still open. Go to the Workshops page at PatrickSaunders.com to register for a class at the Booth Art Academy, Warehouse 521, or the Conroe Art League.
"Dragon Fire"
• Oil on Linen
• 24" x 24"
• Private Collection
"Dragon Fire"
• Oil on Linen
• 24" x 24"
• Private Collection
November 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Artist friends, if you want to paint with me next year, only three 2026 workshops are still open. Go to the Workshops page at PatrickSaunders.com to register for a class at the Booth Art Academy, Warehouse 521, or the Conroe Art League.
"Dragon Fire"
• Oil on Linen
• 24" x 24"
• Private Collection
"Dragon Fire"
• Oil on Linen
• 24" x 24"
• Private Collection
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by French painter Henri Regnault from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
"Salome"
• Henri Regnault
• Oil on Canvas
• 1870
• 63" x 40.5”
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Salome"
• Henri Regnault
• Oil on Canvas
• 1870
• 63" x 40.5”
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a portrait by French painter Henri Regnault from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
"Salome"
• Henri Regnault
• Oil on Canvas
• 1870
• 63" x 40.5”
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"Salome"
• Henri Regnault
• Oil on Canvas
• 1870
• 63" x 40.5”
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
We all know that darks & lights give form to a painting. Read my latest art newsletter on how color temp contrasts give your paintings much more range to express this illusion of light. Sign up here: patricksaunders.com/signup.html
"Tapestry" detail
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• Private Collection
"Tapestry" detail
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• Private Collection
November 20, 2025 at 5:21 PM
We all know that darks & lights give form to a painting. Read my latest art newsletter on how color temp contrasts give your paintings much more range to express this illusion of light. Sign up here: patricksaunders.com/signup.html
"Tapestry" detail
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• Private Collection
"Tapestry" detail
• Oil on Linen
• 12" x 16"
• Private Collection
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a plein air painting by American artist John Singer Sargent from the permanent collection of the @brooklynmuseum.org.
"Dolce Far Niente"
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Canvas
• ca. 1907
• 16.25" x 28.25"
"Dolce Far Niente"
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Canvas
• ca. 1907
• 16.25" x 28.25"
November 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a plein air painting by American artist John Singer Sargent from the permanent collection of the @brooklynmuseum.org.
"Dolce Far Niente"
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Canvas
• ca. 1907
• 16.25" x 28.25"
"Dolce Far Niente"
• John Singer Sargent
• Oil on Canvas
• ca. 1907
• 16.25" x 28.25"
My architectural demonstration Thursday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Ellis County Courthouse”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
“Ellis County Courthouse”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
November 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
My architectural demonstration Thursday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Ellis County Courthouse”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
“Ellis County Courthouse”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
My one-hour floral demonstration Wednesday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Glowing Rose Sketch”
• Oil on Linen
• 8” x 10”
• 60 Minutes
“Glowing Rose Sketch”
• Oil on Linen
• 8” x 10”
• 60 Minutes
November 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
My one-hour floral demonstration Wednesday morning at my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Glowing Rose Sketch”
• Oil on Linen
• 8” x 10”
• 60 Minutes
“Glowing Rose Sketch”
• Oil on Linen
• 8” x 10”
• 60 Minutes
My landscape demonstration Tuesday morning for my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Roland’s Secret Garden”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
“Roland’s Secret Garden”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
November 12, 2025 at 7:08 PM
My landscape demonstration Tuesday morning for my plein air workshop for the Ellis County Art Association’s Paint Historic Waxahachie event.
“Roland’s Secret Garden”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
“Roland’s Secret Garden”
• Oil on Linen
• 12” x 16”
• 90 Minutes
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a landscape by American artist Willard Metcalf from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"The North Country"
• Willard Leroy Metcalf
• Oil on Canvas
• 1923
• 40” x 45.25”
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"The North Country"
• Willard Leroy Metcalf
• Oil on Canvas
• 1923
• 40” x 45.25”
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a landscape by American artist Willard Metcalf from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"The North Country"
• Willard Leroy Metcalf
• Oil on Canvas
• 1923
• 40” x 45.25”
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"The North Country"
• Willard Leroy Metcalf
• Oil on Canvas
• 1923
• 40” x 45.25”
Painting photo by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
My thanks to Mark Arts for sending one of my latest paintings home with a new collector this week. I’m thrilled that it sold so quickly.
“Regalia"
• Oil on Linen
• 36” x 60”
• Private Collection
“Regalia"
• Oil on Linen
• 36” x 60”
• Private Collection
November 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
My thanks to Mark Arts for sending one of my latest paintings home with a new collector this week. I’m thrilled that it sold so quickly.
“Regalia"
• Oil on Linen
• 36” x 60”
• Private Collection
“Regalia"
• Oil on Linen
• 36” x 60”
• Private Collection
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by American artist Frederic Remington from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"On the Southern Plains"
• Frederic Remington
• Oil on Canvas
• 1907
• 30 1/8" x 51 1/8"
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"On the Southern Plains"
• Frederic Remington
• Oil on Canvas
• 1907
• 30 1/8" x 51 1/8"
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This week's #MuseumTourTuesday is a painting by American artist Frederic Remington from the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"On the Southern Plains"
• Frederic Remington
• Oil on Canvas
• 1907
• 30 1/8" x 51 1/8"
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
"On the Southern Plains"
• Frederic Remington
• Oil on Canvas
• 1907
• 30 1/8" x 51 1/8"
Painting photos by @saundersfinearts.bsky.social
Artist friends, my summer 2026 floral painting workshop at the Conroe Art League will open for registration on January 1st. Go to the Workshops page of my website, PatrickSaunders.com, for more information, and to register.
“Strength In Numbers”
• Oil on Linen
• 15” x 30"
• Private Collection
“Strength In Numbers”
• Oil on Linen
• 15” x 30"
• Private Collection
November 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Artist friends, my summer 2026 floral painting workshop at the Conroe Art League will open for registration on January 1st. Go to the Workshops page of my website, PatrickSaunders.com, for more information, and to register.
“Strength In Numbers”
• Oil on Linen
• 15” x 30"
• Private Collection
“Strength In Numbers”
• Oil on Linen
• 15” x 30"
• Private Collection