6″ Squared
This is the last week of the Randy Higbee Gallery 6″ Squared show, and they are offering a President’s Day 20% discount! My little jewel of the crashing surf along the California coast is still available, plus others!
studio
2025 Holiday Sale is on NOW!!!
Searching for the perfect, one-of-a-kind holiday gift that will be treasured for a lifetime? These charming little paintings are an unforgettable choice for anyone on your list! I’m also offering beautifully crafted notecards and art books at unbeatable prices. It’s my biggest holiday sale ever, with discounts of up to 70% off! Most pieces are unframed originals, but if a frame is shown, it’s yours too. If you are interested, just email me at donald@donaldneff.com
http://www.donaldneff.com/blog/holiday-sale/
2025 Holiday Sale is on NOW!!! Read More »
A Brush with the Clouds
Having spent my adolescent and twenties in East Texas, I am always enchanted by the beautiful skies and clouds when returning for a visit. There’s something timeless and dramatic about those towering thunderheads massive, powerful clouds that roll in with a deep rumble, drench the earth in a quick burst of rain, and then move on as if nothing happened. On calmer days, great billowing cumulus clouds drift lazily across the sky, unhurried and magnificent, like giant ships sailing through an endless blue sea.
In my younger days working outside in the the relentless Texas summer heat, the cloudbursts would bring a short refreshing cool break to the heat, but in an hour or two there would be no evidence of the downpour.
Here at my current home in the Monterey Bay area, the skies are a little less dramatic. Being close to the Pacific, the skies are usually a non-event. The exception is just after a fall/winter storm, when we get a glimpse of that same grandeur I remember from growing up in Texas.
We had a storm front come through the other day, and during our usual walk among the Marina Dunes, the big cumulus clouds were rolling by. I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos for later study. One photo in particular was good, so I submitted it to the local newspaper Monterey Weekly. To my delight, the very next day it appeared in their daily eNewsletter as the “Photo of the Day.” You can see it here.
Well, I just had to paint the scene. Here are a few shots showing the painting as it came together.
Here is the finished piece. I did take some artistic license, heightening the clouds for a bit more drama. As always, I may tweak it here and there in the future, but for now, I’m calling it done.
A Brush with the Clouds Read More »
Exploring AI for Artists: Can ChatGPT Help Improve Your Art?
Part 2
My last post was about unexpectedly discovering that AI (Artificial Intelligence) might be able to help with your oil paintings. Could it really step into the role of an art instructor? I decided to pursue this further, and subsequently uploaded some of my paintings to ChatGPT curious to see what it would come up with. I chose one piece I’ve always been happy with, along with two that never quite sat right with me. To my surprise, not only did it critique them, but it also offered to generate revised versions with its suggested changes!
The first painting is one of the Clarke Bridge in Yosemite National Park right after a snowstorm. I have always liked the piece, and did not plan on changing it. After ChatGPT’s analysis, it did give a few pointers on what might be improved. I did not like the image it generated (it must see a lot of Kinkade paintings!), but possibly the suggestion to soften the background is warranted. It also suggested adding more sunlight, but that defeats the purpose of the piece, to depict Yosemite during a misty snowy day.
BTW, I asked another AI model, Google AI, about the same painting. Its critique was somewhat similar, however due to some bug, it produced, but could not show me the new AI modified painting.
Here are the two versions: the original on the left, the AI interpretation on the right.
All the ChatGPT conversations are below, which are quite lengthy.
The second painting came from a trip to Germany a couple of years back—Hohenschwangau Castle. I’ve never been fully satisfied with the background mountains, even after repainting them three times. The AI suggested softening them, which isn’t a major change, but maybe it’s a step in the right direction. I did like a few of the suggested changes in the middle ground in that the trees around the castle are a little too bright, but overall AI gave it a darker feel. It then asked if I wanted a more dramatic version, and of course, go ahead! It then gave me another version, which although quite dramatic doesn’t appeal to me.
Here are the paintings, the original on the left, then the AI two versions.
The third piece is of Crater Lake, painted about a decade ago. I’ve always felt the distant cliffs could use some softening, lightening, and graying to push them farther back. ChatGPT had some of the same recommendations, though I wasn’t a fan of its final rendering. It was maybe too dark for my tastes. Still, it confirmed what I already suspected needed doing.
Original on the left, AI version on the right.
While I don’t think AI as yet can replace a personal professional critique, it can help. If you are all alone in the studio and stuck on a painting, perhaps it can give you a nudge in the right direction.
Stay tuned for more adventures in AI!
ChatGPT Conversations
Clarke Bridge
how would you improve this painting?
ChatGPT said:
This is already a lovely painting — the arching stone bridge, soft winter light, and the play of warm and cool tones make it very inviting. That said, here are some ways it could be enhanced while keeping its character intact:
1. Depth & Atmosphere
- Add a bit more aerial perspective: the far bank and distant trees could be softened with cooler, lighter tones to push them further back and make the bridge pop forward.
- Light mist or subtle snowfall in the background could enhance the wintry mood and depth.
2. Water Detail & Movement
- Increase variation in the water’s surface — some sharper highlights in the foreground water could suggest sparkle and movement.
- Slightly more reflection of the bridge stones in the water could unify the scene.
3. Snow Highlights & Texture
- Enhance the sunlight’s influence on snow — warmer, creamy highlights in sunlit areas and slightly bluer shadows in shaded snow could add dimension.
- Introduce more variety in snow texture — some soft, powdery patches, some crisp edges where snow has just fallen.
4. Foreground Interest
- Add a few more warm-hued dried grasses or twigs in the lower left to create a color bridge between the warm stones and cool snow.
- Consider one or two more prominent rocks in the water with sharper edges to lead the viewer’s eye toward the bridge.
5. Compositional Flow
- The left tree slightly blocks the bridge. You could thin or shift a branch to reveal a bit more of the stone arch for balance.
- A faint pathway or footprints in the snow near one of the bridge entrances could add a storytelling element.
If you’d like, I could mock up a quick digital overlay showing what these adjustments might look like so you can visualize the changes before painting.
You said:
OK
Hohenschwangau Castle
How would you improve this painting? after discussing that, make a jpg of the improvements
ChatGPT said:
This painting is already beautiful—great sense of depth, light, and atmosphere. The snow-capped peaks, shimmering water, and the castle all stand out wonderfully. But if the goal is refinement, here are a few improvements that could elevate it further:
Suggestions for Improvement
- Atmospheric Perspective
- The mountains are already receding nicely into the distance, but you could push it further by softening the edges and slightly cooling/desaturating the farthest peaks. This will increase depth and realism.
- Water Highlights
- The lake has a nice shimmer, but it might benefit from subtle gradations of blue and a few horizontal strokes of lighter tones to give a sense of rippling reflections.
- Castle Detail
- The castle could pop more with slightly sharper highlights on the sunlit walls and warmer reflected light in the shaded areas. This will make it the true focal point.
- Foreground Interest
- The foreground is richly painted, but adding a bit more texture (rocks, flowers, or small branches) would give it extra life and balance the detail of the middle ground.
- Sky Variation
- The sky could include subtle color transitions—perhaps a touch more warmth near the horizon or soft cloud forms—to enhance atmosphere and mood.
- Color Harmony
- Introducing a few echoing colors (e.g., some of the castle’s warm yellows reflected lightly in the foliage or the rooftops reflecting in the lake) can unify the whole composition.
? Would you like me to make a subtle refinement version (keeping it realistic and atmospheric), or would you prefer a more dramatic enhancement (like intensified colors, stronger contrast, more romantic lighting)?
Once you choose, I’ll generate a new JPG with the improvements.
Crater Lake
how would you improve this painting? also give me a sample jpg of what an improved painting would look like.
ChatGPT said:
This is a beautiful landscape painting—the depth and atmosphere are very well handled. If we’re thinking about improvements, here are a few artistic suggestions that might elevate it further:
Possible Improvements
- Atmospheric Perspective
- The distant mountains could be softened with slightly cooler, lighter hues to push them back further and increase depth.
- Water Surface Interest
- Adding a few gentle ripples, reflections of trees, or light sparkle on the lake would enhance realism and contrast the smooth water with the textured land.
- Foreground Emphasis
- Introducing more detail, brighter highlights, or subtle color accents (e.g., warm tones in rocks, flowers, or lichen) in the foreground would give the eye a focal anchor.
- Color Harmony
- Some of the greens in the trees could be varied—mixing cooler pine greens with warmer sunlit foliage—to avoid uniformity.
- Lighting Drama
- Enhancing the shadows and highlights, especially where the sun hits rocks and trees, would add drama and depth. A more defined light direction can also guide the viewer’s eye through the scene.
? If you’d like, I can create a modified sample JPG showing how these adjustments might look (softer mountains, more water reflections, enhanced foreground detail, and richer lighting).
Do you want me to go ahead and generate a visual version of these improvements?
Exploring AI for Artists: Can ChatGPT Help Improve Your Art? Read More »
From Field Study to Studio: Ft Ord Dunes
All great traditional landscape artists paint from nature. Painting on location, or plein air painting, captures the true colors, light, and atmosphere of a scene in a way that photographs often distort. Cameras can alter color values, compress depth, and lose subtle details in shadows and highlights, whereas painting from life allows the artist to observe and interpret the full range of natural light and color relationships. Additionally, being present in the environment engages all the senses, leading to a more dynamic and emotionally resonant representation. While I frequently paint en plein air, only on rare occasions does a field study captivate me so completely that it inspires a studio painting nearly identical to the original.
One such moment happened last January when I joined the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters for a special outing to Fort Ord Dunes State Park, a breathtaking stretch of coastline not far from my home. You can read about that adventure here. I’ve painted the dunes around Marina, CA, many times before, but this time, park rangers led us to a remote, rarely accessed location. I often ride my eBike through this area but it’s just a little too far to walk. I produced a decent piece, which was a keeper, and loved the view and composition of the painting. Here are just a few snapshots from that day…
This is the original plein air piece, with hardly a smidgen of touchup in the studio.
I liked the composition and scene so much, I spent the last week doing a larger piece in the studio very true to the original on location piece…
As usual, I might touch it up a bit, but seems finished to me!
Here is the original plein air painting on top of the studio piece in a single snapshot. (I blocked out the extraneous parts of the photograph.)
MBPAPA and the State Park staff are exploring ways to showcase this restoration project as a shining example for other State Parks. Proposed exhibition venues include Asilomar State Park Gallery, CSUMB, Monterey Airport, and even state office buildings in San Jose, San Francisco, and Sacramento. Stay tuned—this collaboration could inspire even more creative and environmental synergy
From Field Study to Studio: Ft Ord Dunes Read More »
480 Lighthouse
Thrilled to announce that I’ve been invited to showcase three of my pieces in a new gallery in downtown Pacific Grove! They had a soft opening yesterday, and I’m sending them all my best for a successful journey ahead. I’m honored to be part of this vibrant new space!
I don’t think their website is up yet, but hours are Sat 10a-5p, and other days 10a-3p. Please stop by if you are near downtown Pacific Grove!!
Reviving A Decades Old Capitol Reef Painting
Picture this: an old acrylic canvas, holding within it the essence of a majestic landscape. For over twenty years it sat dormant in my studio, a relic of earlier artistic endeavors. Not quite sure when I started it, but probably the early 2000’s when I was still doing mostly acrylic paintings. Although it was an awesome scene, I was never quite satisfied with the painting, and never quite finished it. As it sat in my studio, my style and technique changed over the years, especially when I switched from painting mainly acrylic pieces to oil painting in the early 2000’s. I embarked to reimagine the piece in oils, and paint right over the old acrylic.
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Utah, a tapestry of colors woven over millions of years. My memories of this enchanting place date back to the early ‘80s on a six month RV trip all over the Southwest. One of the lesser visited and known national parks in the US, it’s a geological wonderland boasting mesmerizing landscapes sculpted over millions of years. Spanning a 100 miles of colorful canyons, towering cliffs, and intricate rock formations, the park offers a captivating journey through time. Its signature feature, the Waterpocket Fold, stretches like a wrinkle in the Earth’s crust, revealing layers of ancient history. Visitors can explore remnants of ancient civilizations, from petroglyphs etched into sandstone walls to pioneer homesteads preserved in time.
Here is the old acrylic painting that sat in my studio all these years–
This is the photo study I used in producing the painting. It is taken somewhere along the Fremont Vista Trail I hiked from the Fruita Campground in the park late in the day. Fruita campground is one of the prettiest in the Southwest, situated in a green valley, surrounded by red cliffs and mountains. You will also find many orchards in the valley, where you can pick fruit for free.
Here’s a photo of my 20′ Dolphin RV in Capital Reef. I traveled in this little RV for six months in the winter of 81, and spring of 82 all over the Southwestern US. At the time, I also visited art galleries, and by the time I returned home to San Jose, CA, my paintings were sprinkled in a half dozen or so art galleries all over the Southwest US.
To paint over the old acrylic, first some preparations were in order. I sanded down the acrylic layer to get rid of any gloss and put a little more tooth in the surface. I then put a thin coat of Liquin over the entire surface of the canvas. Liquin is a quick-drying medium for oil and alkyd paint. Used as an additive in many forms of artwork, it can also be used to bring out the luster in darker parts of the painting. I occasionally use it as a separation layer between coats of oil painting.
I then blocked in the scene again with a layer of oil paints mixed with Liquin. As I progressed through the layers of oil paint, I used less and less Liquin. Here are a few photos of the progression as I worked through the painting.
I left the lower right area undone as I was uncertain if it needed a closeup foreground there. I finally decided to put in some foreground so-as to push the rest of the scene back. During the process, I first painted a bigger foreground, but then cut it back as it overpowered the vista.
Here is the final piece. As usual, I’ll let it sit for a while, but might touch it up later.
Here is a slider view where you can move the slider arrows back and forth between the old acrylic painting and the now just painted over oil version.
Hopefully this new painting won’t sit in my studio unfinished for another 20+ years! I have more old acrylic pieces of wonderful scenes, so who knows, I might work on them!
Reviving A Decades Old Capitol Reef Painting Read More »
Light Filtering Among the Small Clouds
Sunsets on Monterey Bay by Fort Ord (now closed) are often breathtaking and captivating experiences. The reflection of the sun on the waters of Monterey Bay adds to the beauty of the scene, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere.
Prior to moving to Marina, CA, I visited the area frequently showing in art galleries in Carmel, and at the annual Carmel Art Festival for the last couple decades. I always drove right by Marina and the massive dunes to go further south to the rocky Big Sur coast and other areas which I thought would be better subject matter for my paintings.
Now, I walk along the dunes with my wife, Josie, 3-5 times a week for daily exercise, and the ideas for painting studies there are seemingly endless. Riding my eBike along the coastal trails is also fun and great exercise! I am losing track of how many times I have painted them, but here is another one!!
What drew me to this particular sunset was the light filtering among the small clouds in the upper atmosphere. They didn’t seem to be affected by the bright yellows and oranges of the sun and clouds below. Enjoy this new piece just off the easel.
For those who know the area, I call this Divarty Hill, just west of the Divarty Rd/Hwy 1 underpass. Some may recognize the tree, but I replaced the asphalt road with vegetation.
Light Filtering Among the Small Clouds Read More »
Le Trio
This time of year I usually paint a few 6×6 miniatures for Randy Higbee’s 6″ Squared Show. This year’s show will be online only, starting December 2, 2023.
I usually do pretty good in his show selling most, if not all the pieces, so just painted three new ones. Many times, I do smaller versions of some of my larger pieces, and sometimes they are small versions of a larger work I am thinking about doing. Working on all three simultaneously over the past week, I took a photo during the initial stages of painting.
Below are the three completed pieces. Click on each one for a larger version.
Stay tuned for more info on the show when it opens!