Why Andy Paints in Oils

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Dusty Bronc

Andy Thomas is an immensely talented oil painter. His paintings capture the viewers eye and release their imagination. If you own an Andy Thomas piece, then you know exactly what I mean. A story lies in every image, sometimes Andy provides us with a story and other times it's completely up to the viewer, but either way, there is always a story to be told. Andy manages to surprise his audience every time with his action packed oil paintings.

Ever wonder why Andy paints with oils rather than other mediums? I conducted a short interview with Andy to find out why... Here it is!

1. Why do you paint in oils vs other mediums, such as watercolors or acrylics?

"I originally started painting in oils because they are so challenging. I wanted to learn to master the medium. I like all mediums but I primarily stick with oil now because:

1. They allow me to paint the narrative, storytelling paintings I want to paint.
2. They dry slow so I can blend and create the buttery, sculpted forms I like.
3. My favorite paints and artists all use oil.
4. Frankly, oil paintings, as a rule, can demand higher prices."

2. What type of oil paints do you use?

"I use Gamblin Brand. The various brands confused me so I settled on Gamblin after Robert Gamblin, when he owned the company, personally answered an inquiry I sent. Any brand that is color-fast is good."

3. How often do you paint with acrylics or watercolors?

"I almost never use acrylic, except to help kids with school projects or around the house. Acrylics dry too fast for me. I like to paint wet-in-wet. Also, with my forgetful nature, I'd ruin dozens of brushes every month by letting paint dry in the bristles. I really enjoy watercolors, especially loose wet-in-wet techniques. I rarely paint in watercolors for paintings to sell. I use them for gifts to family members or special note cards."

4. Will we ever see a large piece painted in something other than oil? Would it be hard for you to create a large western painting in something other than oil?

"No, any large piece I paint will be in oil. Painting large areas would be hit-or-miss for me in any medium except oil."

5. Do you feel there is a difference in quality with oil paints vs. other mediums? How does painting in oils benefit your paintings?

"Yes, I think there is a difference. I think oils allow me the flexibility to paint thick and thin and control the color hue and intensity. Also, oils can be magnificently painted with translucence, though I rarely use them that way. That being said, I see great works painted by other artists in all manner of media."

6. Do you feel oils provide more color and depth for your paintings?

"Yes, color and depth are better for me with oil."

7. What medium do you think is hardest for a beginner to paint with? What would you recommend?

"Oil and watercolor both need some practice of techniques to master their great qualities. Personally, I thought watercolor techniques (wet-in-wet, deep color washes, dry-brush  etc), were easier to learn. It might be different with other people. The great seductive quality about acrylics is the ease of which a beginner can paint. You can paint something and, if you don't like it, wait five minutes and repaint on a dry surface. In my painting experience, acrylic can't do the fluid washes of watercolor or the impasto brush strokes of oil."

8. Are oils better for blending as opposed to acrylics?

"Oils blend better than acrylics, in my experience. Or maybe I just don't work fast enough for acrylic."

9. What's your favorite part about working with oils?

"Oils dry slowly and I learned to enjoy painting wet-in-wet. Sometimes I will lay down a brush stroke and modify it (scrape it, blend an edge, drag a dry brush over it) an hour or two later. I usually do fast under painting, very direct and impasto, and then spend some time changing the edges, mostly obscuring them so I can put in the edges I want in the finished painting."

"This has been all about painting, but I would like to mention my affinity for drawing. Pencil, charcoal and pen-and-ink are great mediums. Drawing is the basis of all good painting."

If you have any questions for Andy, leave them in the comments below. Maybe I'll be able to get Andy to do an interview based on your questions!

Quest for the West Art Show

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The 7th annual Quest for the West Art Show hosted by Eiteljorg Museum is right around the corner. The Quest will showcase Western art by 50 of the most talented artists in America. All pieces will be original works of art! It will be held September 6-7, 2013 by a "luck of the draw" sale, which will leave a mystery as to who will take each piece home.

Last year, Andy's painting, George Catlin Painting Four Bears, a 40"x30" oil featured an Indian tribe admiring the Mandan Chief, Four Bears, whose attire is covered in beautiful feathers, posing, while artist George Catlin paints him. This year Andy's painting will include Pursued 20"x16 oil and Trouble Ahead 24"x36" oil, which are two suspense filled western paintings.

George Catlin Painting Four Bears

Pursued shows a brave mother and very scared child on an all white horse galloping away from the approaching danger behind them. In the background, you can vaguely see men on horses trying to pursue this woman. She has her whip in hand and her child is tightly grasping on. She's making a run for it. I wonder what she must of done.... I wonder if she'll get away...?

Pursued

With Trouble Ahead,  the story of what lies ahead may be different from viewer to viewer. One thing's for sure, trouble is lurking in the distance. In this painting, we can see two cowboys on their horses preparing for the unknown. A child is pointing ahead to warn of danger. A band of wagons as far as the eye can see parades along side single filed. We don't know exactly what's ahead, but we can only imagine it isn't good.

The story of Trouble Ahead goes as follows: As a wagon train of pioneers crawls slowly across the plains, potential danger lies ahead. A party of mounted men is approaching and the wagon train's guide rides out to assess danger. The wagon master turns his attention to his wagons. They must be brought into a tight formation in case of trouble.

Trouble Ahead

Some other artists that will be in attendance at the Quest include, Doug Hyde, sculptor, who will reveal his exhibit, Shaped by Stone: The sculpture of Doug Hyde, opening night; he was also the 2011 Quest Artist of Distinction. John Coleman, who won the 2012 Quest Artist of Distinction and Howard Post, who holds the title of Victor Higgins Award of Distinction for Best Body of Work in the show in 2012. Andy and these 3 artists are among 46 others, so there will be a wide variety of art sure to suit many tastes. To view art from previous shows, click here. To view the rest of the 2013 artists of the Quest, click here.

Registration for couples is $400 for the weekend per couple if you are a member and $450 if you are a non-member. If you plan on attending solo, registration is $250 for members and $350 for non. If you can't make it to the Eiteljorg Museum for this spectacular show, but still want a chance at owning one the great pieces that will be offered, you can register as an absentee buyer for $150. To register, you can contact Kay Hinds via phone, 317- 275- 1341 or email, khinds@eiteljorg.org. You may also visit eiteljorg.org to register.

Please note how this "luck of the draw" sale will operate- You will have an opportunity to place ballots in a box correspondent to the painting of your choice. If your name is chosen first, you can either accept or pass. If 2 passes happen, then the 3rd person will be responsible for buying the painting. It is a fixed price sale. Absentee buyers will be notified by phone or email of their winnings.

Come join the fun, meet talented artists and have your chance of winning a wonderful piece of your liking.

Click here to view a video on Quest for the West.

Art FAQ

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Frequently, I get asked questions by new collectors or someone just purchasing a gift for a collector, what some of the terms listed below means. I decided to compile some frequently asked questions to help make it easier to purchase art for all those that may be wondering. If you have any additional questions or confusion about an item when purchasing, leave it in the comments below and I'll be sure to add it to the list!

What does AP mean?

AP refers to Artist Proofs, which go back to the days of hand made presses. The artist would actually crank the crank, print the print and check the colors. If they didn't like the red, they changed it; they made these adjustments until the print was to their liking. They were truly proofs. Today, they are a tradition since technology has made huge changes in the printing industry.

AP's are a limited edition that make up about 10%-15% of the signed and numbered edition of the same image and size. If 350 signed and numbered prints are made in a specific size, only about 35 artist proofs are created for that particular size. Each artist proof is numbered similar to this 20/35AP and signed as well.

What does S/N mean?

S/N refers Signed and Numbered prints, which means exactly that -- they are signed and they are numbered. Each reproduction that is S/N is limited in edition. Each S/N reproduction would look similar to this 20/300 and signed.

Should I purchase an AP or S/N reproduction?

Ultimately the decision is yours, some collectors feel as though an AP print will be more valuable in the long run since not many are produced compared to S/N editions. While that could be true, it also depends on the market at the time.

Is there a difference is quality between AP and S/N reproductions?

No, the quality is exactly the same, created from the same image, same paper and same inks. The only difference is the limited quantity of prints with the AP designation.

What is a Giclee Print?

A Giclee is the printing process used for reproducing a print. Giclee's are individually produced on a special large format printer from a digital scan of existing artwork. They contain bright colors, crisp detail with a high-resolution display.

What is Timeless Edition?

These prints are of an edition, which are signed and sequentially numbered reproductions. They are not limited edition prints, but are numbered in the order that they are produced. Every print will have a different number from each other. They are the same quality as limited edition prints. Example: #24   #25   #26

What is a Large Format Canvas Giclee?

A Large Format Canvas Giclee is something we offer to those of you with large spaces that need to be filled. They are special orders reproduced larger than what is offered on the site. They would be by-quote only depending on the size of the reproduction you would like. Any image on the site can be made to order and some can be made up to 50" high. They are the same quality as the reproductions offered on the site and one of a kind. If you are interested in a quote, you can email orders@andythomas.com.

What is Stretched and What is Rolled Canvas?

Stretching is the process of taking a Rolled Canvas and stretching it over a stretcher bar, thin wooden rails, in which the canvas is stapled to. The canvas is then ready to be framed.

A rolled canvas is a canvas that has not been stretched yet. It ships in a tube, rolled up, and would need to be stretched before framing.

What are the benefits of a Stretched Canvas?

Stretched canvases are ready to be hung, no other work is required, other than choosing a frame of your choice. If you were to buy a Rolled Canvas and have it stretched by a third party or yourself, you could have a higher risk of damage, such as the painting cracking during stretching especially if the person is not a professional. I advise against stretching the canvas yourself, unless you are a professional.

What are the benefits of a Rolled Canvas?

Rolled canvas is priced less than stretched canvas, but keep in mind that a rolled canvas will need to be stretched to frame. It is advisable to have a professional framer stretch the canvas when they are making your frame. If a print is larger than 24x36, it will automatically be shipped rolled due to the high cost of shipping. It's also much safer when the print is larger than 24x36.

Do you offer framing for prints?

At this time, you may only purchase some of the Civil War prints framed. If it's not listed in the product pull down menu, then it isn't an option. You will need to supply your own frame for most of the artwork.

Coeur d'Alene Art Auction

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UPDATE: Painting sold for $64,350 on July 27, 2013!!!

Billy the Kid and the Regulators

Billy the Kid and the Regulators are coming to town in Reno this Saturday, that is on Canvas!

This coming Saturday, July 27, 2013, Andy Thomas' Billy the Kid and the Regulators will be up for auction at The Coeur d'Alene Art Auction in Reno, Nevada. 

This painting is a 36x48 oil on linen estimated at $60,000-$90,000 with a starting bid of $45,000. If you can't make the auction and are interested in this painting, there are options for you to place a bid. You can place an absentee/phone bid here. All absentee bids must be entered no later than July 24, 2013, so be sure to make the deadline. (Lot number 125) ArtFact will also allow you to bid online here.

Here is the story of the painting, according to Andy himself: 

"On April Fools Day, 1878, Billy the Kid and six other Regulators ambushed Sheriff William Brady and his deputies on the main street in Lincoln, New Mexico. Brady and Deputy George Hindman were killed. The Regulators shot from behind the adobe, corral wall of John Tunstall's store. Bill and Big Jim French were both wounded by gunfire from the remaining deputies when they briefly emerged to check the bodies. The Regulators extricated themselves by charging out of the corral and riding away along the Bonito River."

The auction will consist of 308 different works of art including, Indians, cowboys and horses, landscape and farming and agriculture, just to name a few. You can check out all the different artwork at here. So many talented artists will be featured in this auction! There will be plenty of variety for every art collector.

Address for Auction:

2707 South Virginia Street

Reno, NV 89502

eGift Promotion

http://andythomas.com/egiftpromotion.aspx

Do you have a favorite piece of Andy's you'd love to buy at a discounted price? Such as one of Andy's political pieces like Callin' the Red, Callin' the Blue or Grand Ol' Gang? or maybe a good western or historical reproduction for instance, American Storytellers, Russell Paints a Masterpiece or one of his many Civil War pieces? If so, you're going to love this limited time promotion the website is running.

Grand Ol' Gang

The website is running a wonderful promotion on eGift Certificates. For every $80 eGift Certificate you purchase, you'll receive an added bonus--$20 extra, free!! Certificates will be limited to three per customer. That's up to $60 in free money to spend at andythomas.com. The eGift must be purchased in the 'Sale' category in order to be eligible for the $20 bonus.

Here's how it works, once you purchase your $80 eGift, you'll automatically receive an e-mail with a gift certificate code for the $80. Then, up to 24 hours after your purchase, we will e-mail an additional code valued at $20. You can combine as many eGift codes as you'd like at checkout, so don't be discouraged! While this is one of the best promotions you will see on the site, it does have one slight downfall if you're purchasing one for a gift. The expiration on the codes are only valid for 60 days from issue date.

If a friend or family member that's a fan of Andy's has a birthday coming up, here's your opportunity to get them something truly special at a low price. Or maybe you just want a bargain on one of Andy's pieces for yourself? Whatever the case may be, this is a wonderful promotion that won't last long. It may be gone tomorrow, so take advantage now! If you're looking to buy a large piece that's over $300 this is a great way to save $60.

Food for thought, maybe you have a birthday or special event coming up and you and that special person are both art collectors-- you can always give them the free $20 and buy yourself something with the $80 or vice versa. Or if you know their favorite print, apply it towards the price and get a nice bargain, they'll never know! The possibilities are endless. The West in Action makes a great gift for an art collector!

The West in Action

Who's in that painting?

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Did you know many times Andy uses family or friends as a reference for his paintings? In many of his paintings, you may be able to spot people he knows. For instance, 'Fate of the Rustlers,' Andy's step-son, Eric, was photographed to create the unfortunate rustler that was about to be killed.

I received a phone call one day from Andy, he asked me to take a few pictures of Eric with his hands behind his back, as if they were tied together, in dim lighting. He told me he needed a thin, muscular kid for his upcoming painting. I grabbed my cell-phone and took about ten shots, sending Andy the best three. This allowed Andy to paint the muscles on the rustler exactly the way they would be. In the book, The West in Action, available on the website, you can see exactly how the painting was made. Below is a sketch of the rustler Andy created from my photograph. Andy turned my photograph into a sketch, and from there into a beautiful painting. Of course, he made the face of the rustler slightly different than Eric's.

Fate of the Rustlers

Fate of the Rustlers isn't the only painting Andy has used a family member for. In his painting, You can call me Darlin', he referenced his daughter Jessica and her husband Mika. The painting sends the message that cowboys learning the ropes, should never fall in love with a saloon girl! Andy took many pictures of Jess and Mika to get the right look with correct lighting. Mika even wore a cowboy hat for the photograph to ensure Andy would get the proper tilt and stance. They were also photographed on two different levels, just as you see in the painting. Out of many shots, could be hundreds, the best is chosen and incorporated into the painting.

You can call me Darlin'

Kit Carson and the Fremont Expedition at Bent's Fort is another painting Andy has used someone for reference; his grandson Colson. The little boy running next to Kit Carson and his army started from a photograph. Andy wanted to make sure when he painted the little boy running, that it would be suitable to reality. He captured shots of Colson running, and was able to perceive the exact approach to take when creating the little boy. Hair, legs and body stance are all critical aspects to perfecting the painting especially when wind is involved. Can you imagine trying to paint or even sketch a person running from memory? It would be a hard task. Below is an actual sketch used for the painting.

Kit Carson and the Fremont Expedition at Bent's Fort

Can you guess the people in the painting below, The Band Played On? Follow the link to the website for some clues. You can leave your answers in the blanks at the bottom of the page on the site.

The Band Played On

Large paintings are rarely an easy task. Often times hours of research and many photos are required to create something so elaborate. Andy never lets his viewers down and continues to surprise us with his works of art. You never know what you'll see next or who for the matter.

Can you guess which paintings Andy has painted himself into? Stay tuned to find out... Leave your comments below!

New Series - American Classics

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There are many American Classic Novels we are familiar with, that circulate generation to generation. Captains Courageous and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are just two of them. Many of us know the stories from childhood and appreciate the messages they portray. Somerset Fine Art asked Andy to paint an American Classic Novels series. Guess what? Andy is currently hard at work on the new series, to bring some of our favorite classics to life. So far, he has Captains Courageous and Huckleberry Finn completed.

If you don't already know the story of Captains Courageous, then here's a little background. Young Harvey Cheyne came from an affluent family in San Diego, CA. He accidentally falls overboard an ocean liner, and gets rescued by fishermen off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, when his life suddenly changed. The crew refused to take Cheyne back to the port right away, but Captain Disko Troop, offers him a job until they return. Young Cheyne learns he must participate in hard manual labor, something he is not familiar with. He eventually adjusts to his new lifestyle and gets reunited with his family, who are not only surprised by his new found maturity, but impressed as well.

The story on Huckleberry Finn is: A young teenage boy, Huckleberry Finn, runs away from home when life becomes too challenging. On his journey, he meets a slave, Jim, who also decides to run away with Finn. The two float away on a raft along the Mississippi River encountering many adventures. Of course, the novel is much more than this blurb. As we know, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been banned from many libraries and schools due to a racism aspect, so the newer generations won't have the experience of reading the novel.

Andy's painting below of Captains Courageous shows two sailboats and the men hard at work somewhere on the Atlantic ocean. Look at those waves and how the sailboats are gliding by. Can you image the long laborious journey aboard that sailboat?

Captains Courageous

Below you see Huckleberry Finn laid back comfortably with his arms behind his head and his runaway slave friend, Jim. Here, they're travelling along the Mississippi River, aside some ferries. I couldn't imagine travelling by raft on a long voyage; although, it seems like it could have been fun with all the adventures they encountered, but you won't see me trying it!

Huckleberry Finn

These two paintings will be available for reproduction soon; production will begin early Summer, so keep an eye out for them. Pre-orders are now available through the website, so you can place your order at anytime. If interested in the originals (24x48), they will be available for purchase from Greenhouse Gallery. To purchase Huck Finn original click here; and for Captains Courageous, here. The series will consist of approximately six paintings all together. I personally love these two paintings, they're truly amazing. The realism makes me feel like, I'm there, on the journey with them. I can't wait to see what's in store for us next!

What American Classic would you like to see on canvas next?? Who knows, Andy just might paint it... Leave a comment below and let us know.

Andy Thomas Interview

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Oil Painters of America has some very interesting material for any artist, collector or person that just enjoys oil paintings. They cover many different topics such as, artist interviews, how to paint like certain artists and tips for artists, just to name a few. Back in April, John Pototschnik interviewed Andy on his painting techniques and created a good read that I wanted to share. Below is the post from Pototschnik that I found on the site. If you enjoy it, be sure to check out the other posts from Oil Painters of America and even subscribe. Don’t forget to check out John Pototschnik’s blog also, as he is a wonderfully talented artist himself. Enjoy!

Andy Thomas Interview

April 1, 2013 by John Pototschnik OPA 0 Comments

Andy Thomas

I first met Andy Thomas more than 20 years ago while participating in the Midwest Gathering of the Artists Show in Carthage, MO. His talent was obvious, so to see his career explode as it has in recent years as a painter of western themes, well, it’s really not that surprising.

His paintings now garner well into the five figures.

Spirit of the MGA – 40″x 30″ – Oil
Thomas captured, in his trademark style, many of the participants in the Midwest Gathering of the Artists Show with whom we became friends. I’m depicted with the highwheeler, indicating my love of cycling.

Mark Smith, co-founder of the Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art in San Antonio, TX, and exclusive representative of Thomas’ work said, “Andy represents one of the most talented and creative painters working today. He has gained wide respect for his portrayal of the horse and its historic role in the old west and, as a result, has become one of the most sought out and collected painters of the historic time period known as the Old West. Collectors respectfully refer to Andy as a great “story teller” and compare his paintings favorably to the works of Remington and Russell. Through his paintings, Andy allows the viewer to be a participant in the scene rather than a spectator”.

Bad Whiskey – 24″x 48″ – Oil
At the Coeur d’ Alene art auction in 2009, this painting set an auction record for Thomas’s work, selling for $110,000

Things could have turned out quite differently. I remember being notified in 1996 that Andy had been injured in an explosion while working in his shop. His hands had been severely damaged. I couldn’t believe it, and feared the worst. Later, in an attempt to return to painting prematurely, he further injured his right hand. That’s when he took up painting with his left hand, producing some amazing work. Now that both hands are fully healed, he is able to paint equally well with both hands simultaneously while working on two different paintings…doubling his production…just kidding.

Bad Deal – 24″x 36″ – Oil

Andy didn’t begin his professional career in the fine arts. After graduating from high school, he went to work for Leggett & Platt, Inc. in their Marketing Service Department, an in-house ad agency. During this time he also attended Missouri Southern State College, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Marketing Management in 1981. Employed for 16 years with the Fortune 500 company, he advanced to become its staff Vice-President before finally resigning his position in 1991 in order to pursue painting full-time.

Grizzly Mountain – 30″x 40″ – Oil

I’ve always accused Andy of having a photographic memory because of his uncanny ability to record things he has seen or experienced. He denies my claim, but there is something extraordinary in his ability to capture a moment in time…to tell a story that is capable of transporting folks to another place and time. If he had lived in the old west, cowboys would have paid him to join them by the campfire and spin a yarn. His vivid memory and imagination enable him to create paintings pregnant with action and drama…paintings sought after by a growing number of collectors.

Desiring to learn more, Andy graciously agreed to an interview which I am pleased to share with you. I think you will find it interesting.

What would be your definition of art? I gave this a great deal of thought my first year as a full time artist. As I looked around and identified what I thought was art (including architecture, movies, comedians, choreography, etc), they all had two elements. The first was communication. That is, they all had to be received by the viewer or listener. The second was they were original in that there was no formula used. Sometimes I would find myself thinking “Gee, that’s great and I don’t know why”. So, I define art as creative communication. The real question for an artist is, “Who am I wanting to communicate with?”

Horse Thief – 24″x 36″ – Oil

You define yourself as a painter of history, how do you go about translating the written account into a fully realized painting? Painting an actual event is a challenge. If I am true to factual history, many of my creative tools are taken from me. Still, I can be somewhat creative and use my craft and research to produce a work that people appreciate. Historically based paintings that are not a specific event are much easier. I get much of my inspiration from reading personal journals and memoirs of the time because they are full of feeling and impressions.

James Gang – 24″x 36″ – Oil

Your western themes have really caught on with collectors, why do you suppose that is? There’s a little boy inside me who wants to be a cowboy someday. I suppose that makes me paint westerns with enthusiasm.

How did you find your individuality as an artist? By painting many styles and subjects until my own style emerged.

Do you consider the process of painting more important than the result? No. The final painting is always my ultimate goal. However, I’m always amazed how indifferent I am about a painting that is finished. It is the past and I am looking forward to the next painting. Luckily, my buyers don’t feel the same.

Johnny Saved the Girl – 40″x 30″ – Oil

Journey to the New Home – 24″x 36″ – Oil

What part does photography play in your work? I use many photos for background reference but really only paint directly from photos for rifles or pistols and sometimes for hands. In the course of painting a figure, I often pose myself and take a photo to check anatomy or clothing wrinkles.

Does plein air painting play a part in your work? Plein air was one of the many types of painting I did to develop as an artist. I never learned to enjoy it and I only do them now for the fellowship of other artists.

What is the major thing you look for when selecting a subject? I have learned to fumble around with ideas until one gets me excited. Lots of thumbnails and color studies.

…And the Band Played On – 36″x 48″ – Oil

What is your major consideration when composing a painting? That’s tough to answer. I will say this; If my little thumbnail looks like a good composition, the color study will have a good composition as will the finished painting.

How thorough is your initial drawing? Very, very loose. I really let details emerge and develop as I paint. Sometimes I move arms or legs many times in the process.

A piece currently on the easel shows the initial drawing with grid lines on a toned canvas.

Current work on the easel shows the preliminary color study which has been reversed for the larger work. Also shown is photocopy of study and a preliminary figure study.

Describe your typical block-in technique. My usual procedure starts by taking a photograph of my color study and printing the image on an 8.5″x 11″ paper. I then draw a 16 square grid on the photograph. I prepare my large canvas by staining it with a brown/black mixture (ultramarine blue and transparent red earth). I use the same mixture to brush in a 16 square grid on the canvas and redraw the color study.

At this point, I usually block-in the whole canvas with thin color and soft edges. The washed in canvas should have the correct color, value and composition of the finished painting with no details. I then begin the slow process of finished, detailed painting by working on individual figures or small areas and working around the canvas.

How do you decide the dominating mood for a painting, and how do you maintain it? My paintings are narrative, storytelling affairs and the mood of the painting is part of the story. The mood is controlled by the choice of light source, the deepness of the shadow areas and the body language and expressions of the figures. Since I use figures often, body language is important. I never paint a man just standing. My men stand in defiance, or in fear, or with boredom, etc. That’s what I try to do, anyway.

This is typical of small preliminary color studies Thomas does as preparation for the larger work.

What colors are most often found on your palette?Ultramarine blue, transparent red earth, Venetian red, cadmium yellow deep and zinc/titanium white are always on my palette. I keep cadmium yellow light and cadmium red available but rarely use them. My vision is color weak so this limited palette suits me.

What are the key points one needs to know when creating a true sense of atmosphere? Light source, light source, light source.

You have a strong affinity for illustrators of the past, why is that? I think they were the best artists. They did paintings that fascinate me. They have not had a chorus of art historians promoting them.

So, if you could spend the day with any three artists, past or present, who would they be? Howard Pyle, Charles Russell and Frederic Remington.

What advice would you have for a young artist/painter? Here’s the best advice that was ever given to me. I asked an artist I greatly admired the same question, hoping he would tell me something like “paint horses, you can make good money painting horses” or “go to this show and you’ll sell out”. Instead, his answer addressed my artwork; “Whatever you see as your weakness, attack it. For example, if you can’t paint hands, practice until you can”. I followed his advice. The same artist, when I asked him what was the most important thing about a painting, immediately said, “The reason you wanted to paint it in the first place”. Perfect answer. The artist was John Pototschnik.

What advice do you have for a first-time collector? My experience shows me that people who only buy artwork they personally like are forever happy with their choice. I was always uncomfortable when people looked at my work for decorative or investment reasons. I do know that a painting that you enjoy doesn’t require maintenance or your time like so many other things we buy.

Land of the Apache – 24″x 36″ – Oil

When you become discouraged and feel the well is dry, so to speak, what do you do? I look at other artwork. For instance, I spent a great afternoon the other day making a list of my favorite all-time paintings and printing slick copies of them off the internet. I never really finished the list and before I was done I had ordered two more art books. But I had fun and was ready to paint.

Finally, Andy, if you were stranded on an island, which three books would you want with you? Atlas Shrugged (because of the message and because it would take being marooned to get me the time to reread it), and True Grit (better with each rereading). My third book would be some sort of survival guide so I wouldn’t be hungry while reading the other two.

Thanks Andy for a wonderful interview.

www.pototschnik.com

Sale for Father's Day

andythomas.com

Are you wondering what to get for your father, grandfather or (ladies) the husband for Father's Day? The website is going to be running a great sale with a lot of variety, the week prior to Father's Day, June 1-9, 2013, to ensure delivery before Sunday, June 16th. Maybe the person your buying for is a history buff? art collector or just enjoys Andy Thomas artwork? or maybe you want to spoil yourself?

For all the men that enjoy a little history, particularly the Civil War Era, andythomas.com will have Shelby and his men at Westport (Battle of Westport), The Charge of Shelby's Iron Brigade (The Battle of Marshall) and The Guns of Vicksburg available at 20% off. I won't bore any of you non-history fans of the details of the paintings, but they are loaded with action! Stories of each of the paintings are available under their product description.

Shelby and his men at Westport

The Charge of Shelby's Iron Brigade

The Guns of Vicksburg

That's not all that will be on sale! The website will also have Andy Thomas' books available at 20% off also; The Artful Journey and the newest book The West in Action. This is a wonderful opportunity to get the deluxe box set of The West in Action for only $120.00 or the standard copy for $40. The deluxe box set and the standard copy are the same book, the only difference is the deluxe version comes with a nice box for safe keeping. I think the books would make a lovely gift for any art collector or fan of Thomas, since it is filled with many colorful pages of artwork. The Artful Journey contains many of Thomas' older pieces, while The West in Action has the newest pieces.You could always pair the two and grab a copy of both books.

The West in Action

The West in Action Deluxe Box Set

The Artful Journey

I did say this sale had variety -- the website will also have on sale Grand Ol' Gang t-shirts and the western print Bad Whiskey at 20% off. Grand Ol' Gang T-Shirts will make a great gift. What's better than being able to carry a great piece of art with you where ever you go, while showing your love for the Republican Party?

Bad Whiskey is a great print for the man cave or if your favorite guy loves a good western. Cowboys riding off on their horses from a saloon, while exchanging gun fire . Can you imagine what kind of mischief they got into that night? Maybe your dad has a fun bar story...? Bad Whiskey will make a great conversation piece among other men.

Grand Ol' Gang T-Shirt

Bad Whiskey

This is the biggest sale the website has had -- all in honor of those wonderful fathers. Visit andythomas.com's 'Sale' category, June 1st - 9th, for a great deal. If interested in any of the above products, you can click on the links below the images. Discounts will automatically be applied at checkout. The products will not show the 20% off price until it is added in the cart.

Have a wonderful Father's Day!!

Art Lesson with Andy Thomas

andythomas.com

About two months ago, my five year old daughter asked me to draw a picture of Mom, Dad and her. Instead of drawing easy traditional stick figures I decided to challenge myself. I grabbed one of our family photos off the wall and got to drawing, trying to mimic what I saw in the picture. I like to occasionally "attempt" to draw, although I'm not very good at it. When Andy and Dina came to Connecticut to visit a few weeks later, they noticed my drawings hanging on the refrigerator. Andy decided to offer up some pointers to me.

My drawings consisted of hard lines, no shading or shadowing, and just what I thought my eye was seeing. Andy told me the first thing to do when making a portrait was to place the eyes about half way down, since many people mistakenly place the eyes too far up. In the sketch below, the top, left-hand face is setup correctly; whereas, the one next to it, on the right, is not. My question was how do you make the eyes symmetrical? I always end up with lopsided eyes with one either too big or too small, as you can see in the above photo. Andy's response was to create lines and use them as a ruler. Don't forget about the ears, the tops should be lined up with the center of the eyes.

On the second set of facial sketches above, we went over shading and shadowing. Andy told me rather than making the nose a shape with lines to shade around the area to build a nose. You can see in the bottom left-hand corner how Andy used shading to create a nose. Instead of shading in my portraits I made lines for under eye circles, laugh lines and the nose. Then we have shadows, when the sun reflects down on us it makes shadows on one side of our face. If you look at yourself in the mirror, your face isn't made of lines and I couldn't figure out how to create features without using lines. Andy said if I were to take a picture in a somewhat shaded area, where the sun in still reflecting through, that I would be able to see the shadows I needed to create.

After breaking down my drawings and how to draw faces we had a quick drawing lesson. We sat down at the kitchen table and Andy attempted to teach me how to draw a dinosaur figurine my daughter had on the table, but I wasn't comfortable enough since it was a 3-D object. I decided I wanted to first learn with flat objects assuming it would be easier. 

I grabbed a horse magnet off my refrigerator and gave it a go, while Andy drew horse sketches along side me. I focused more on coloring, for instance where the spots were and didn't do any shading, blending or shadowing. What's worse is that the horse magnet had shadowing, but my eyes were focused on color and I disregarded the shadows. Andy told me when he's drawing, color means nothing to him. Look at my horse compared to Andy's below. He said many people have a difficult time drawing horse legs and often times they appear to look broken. Andy's horse legs are made of fine lines and definition, while mine are rounded and more like squiggly lines. He gave me a great tip for make the horses body though -- create three circles then follow through making lines. The picture below came from a great book if you're interested in learning to draw or paint horses called, Horses - Learn to paint step by step, by Cindy Larimore. (Published by Walter Foster)

Horse Magnet

My Sketch

Andy's Sketch

Horses - Learn to paint step by step

I'll continue to use Andy's tips when drawing and hopefully get more acquainted with the techniques. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get another one-on-one with him to learn some more. I did joke with Andy that the next time he comes to Connecticut I'll be a pro like him! Practice makes perfect especially when you have some great tips.

Tips for drawing faces:

1. Place eyes about half way down
2. Use lines as a guide for facial features
3. Line ears up with eyes
4. Use shading to build nose
5. Place shadows accordingly
6. Take a picture if needed to properly place shadows

Tips for drawing horses:

1. Start with three circles for the body
2. Connect circles with lines
3. Rear end, underbelly and neck shadowing along with shadows behind legs
4. Legs may be difficult -- Don't give up!

Triple Creek Ranch Workshop

www.andythomas.com

'Ambush on the Bandit Trail'

Andy Thomas

October 24-27, 2013, you can join Andy Thomas along with Greg Kelsey, sculptor and Kathy Sigle,  watercolor artist for a wonderful opportunity. Book an action packed three night weekend in a deluxe cabin located at Triple Creek Ranch (mention Andy Thomas for a discount) and you can choose which artist you would like to take an unforgettable workshop with. Would you like to do your own oil with Andy? Sculpture with Greg or watercolor with Kathy? What can be better than relaxing in the mountains, enjoying great food and watching and learning from great artists? Or maybe you want to take a trail ride, try fly fishing or just play tennis. It's all there waiting for you to choose.

'Don't Buck with Me'

A piece by Greg Kelsey

'As Good as Gold'

Kathy Sigle

Once your weekend is booked at Triple Creek Ranch the only thing you have to worry about is enjoying yourself, which will easily be done. A guided tour of the ranch owner's vast collection of western art will be available upon arrival. Thomas, Kelsey and Sigle will be demonstrating all weekend long with their original art available for sale too. They will guide you along to create a spectacular piece of your own that you will want to boast about! Triple Creek Ranch will even provide you with art supplies, a blank canvas and frame for your finished artwork. Workshop classes will be limited to eight students to ensure you have the best learning experience with the artist. You will be able to dine everyday with the artists and get to know them, as well as meet new people with the same interests as you. Meals will be included with your stay as well as most on-ranch activities.

The ranch has it all from romance to nature to adventure. Located in the mountains in Montana, Triple Creek has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere surrounded by wilderness. Enjoy a relaxing evening in the hot tub or in your cabin next to the wood-burning fireplace with your darling. Life can be hectic, escape on one of the many trails and breathe in the fresh air, while enjoying the beauty of nature surrounding you. Horse back riding, nature drives, rafting, skiing and fishing are just a few of the things to occupy your time. It'll be a weekend to remember. You won't want to miss out on the memories to be made on this trip.

This all inclusive stay will run $950 per couple, per night, but if you mention Andy's name you'll receive a discount on workshop weekend lodging. You can call the ranch for more details and booking at 800-654-2943. It's going to be an enjoyable weekend and we hope to see you there!