Category: Figurative Paintings

Plein Air Workshop with Je

Post author By Je
Post date July 29, 2026

Location & For More Info, Visit: Shelter Island Art Center

Date: Friday, August 14, 10:00am-4:00pm (w/ 1 hour lunch break)

When paint tubes were introduced, artists didn’t wait long to take them outside. En Plein-Air is a beautiful way to capture the world around us because camera lenses still can’t replace the unique way each of us see the world.

This workshop will focus on using a minimum outdoor color palette as well as ideas for painting when traveling. The class will start with a brief instruction on how to begin the painting session. Once students are settled in, the instructor will work with each student based on their chosen medium.

Each student can choose to use oil, acrylic, or watercolor for this workshop. Bring your own materials if you have them.

Material List

Small sketchbook & pencil (HB, B2)
PRIMED Canvas or Panels – 9″ x 12″ and 12″ x 16″
Oil PAINT: Recommended Brands: Vasari, Winsor Newton, or Rembrandt: (1) Titanium White, (2) Yellow Ochre, (3) Burnt Sienna, (4) Cadmium Red or Pyrrole Red (Also known as permanent bright red), (5) French Ultramarine Blue, (6) Cadmium Yellow* & Viridian* (For plein-air workshop)
Brushes: 2 Set of Assorted Size Filbert or Flat Brushes* – Size 2, 4, 6, 8
Painting Mediums: Gamsol (Odorless Mineral Spirits), Linseed Oil
Other Items: Palette Cups, Palette, Palette Knife, Cotton Rag & paper towels, Ivory Soap or Murphy’s Oil Soap
View Sample Material List from Blick

Figurative Paintings

Essential Oil Painting Techniques, with Je

Post author By Je
Post date July 29, 2026

Thursday, August 13, 10am – 2pm

Location & For More Info, Visit: Shelter Island Art Center

For centuries, artists have turned to oil paint for its richness, versatility, and luminous depth—and it remains one of the most celebrated mediums for creative expression today. In this workshop, you’ll discover the beauty and possibilities of oil painting while learning how to work with a thoughtfully limited color palette to create compelling portraits and landscapes.

Through guided instruction and hands-on practice, you’ll explore how to mix colors, build layers, and capture light, form, and atmosphere. Whether you’re new to oils or looking to strengthen your skills, this workshop will help you develop confidence and a deeper appreciation for this timeless medium.

Materials List

PRIMED Canvas or Panels – 9″ x 12″ and 12″ x 16″
Oil PAINT: Recommended Brands: Vasari, Winsor Newton, or Rembrandt: (1) Titanium White, (2) Yellow Ochre, (3) Burnt Sienna, (4) Cadmium Red or Pyrrole Red (Also known as permanent bright red), (5) French Ultramarine Blue,
Brushes: 2 Set of Assorted Size Filbert or Flat Brushes* – Size 2, 4, 6, 8
Painting Mediums: Gamsol (Odorless Mineral Spirits), Linseed Oil
Other Items: Palette Cups, Palette, Palette Knife, Cotton Rag & paper towels, Ivory Soap or Murphy’s Oil Soap
View Sample Shopping List from Blick Here

Student Salon 2026

Post author By Je
Post date March 16, 2026

Our Studio Exhibition will be available for viewing at the Art Students League of New York from March 23 through March 28, 2026.

3 portrait paintings of mine

The Art Students League of New York
Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery, 2^nd Floor
215 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

March 23—28, 2022

Gallery Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 am–9 pm
Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

Figurative Paintings

Artists Unite/NoMAA Community Subway Elevator Project

Post author By Je
Post date March 8, 2026

Thank you NoMAA, Artists Unite, Columbia University Medical Center Neighborhood Funds and MTA for this opportunity to exhibit my painting, the Quince in Bonnefont Cloister Garden, inside the 181/184 St. subway elevator.

Selected Artists—-

Congratulations to all participating artists.

Joyce Tsai
Lyndell Brookhouse-Gil
David Kaminsky
Franck de las Mercedes
Gregory Coutino
Felipe Galindo
Tiffany Alfonseca
Susan Bresler
Robert Buckwalter
Gal Cohen
Shu Tu
Josefina Hernandez
Francis Hseush
Daniel Peguero
Je

Figurative Paintings

The Three of Wands

Post author By Je
Post date October 19, 2025

Some months ago, I found a tarot card when walking around the city. I liked the design and colors of it.

Following is a color study for the larger painting above. Here, I hadn’t thought of the tarot card, but a dead cardinal that I saw earlier this year, which I also found when walking across a street.

Exhibitions Figurative Paintings General Announcement Travel

2025 Grant & Scholarship Exhibition

Post author By Je
Post date September 20, 2025

October 24 – November 23, 2025

Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery

2nd Floor

215 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019

Opening Reception: Friday, October 24, 6 – 8 PM

This exhibition showcases 3 of my recent paintings together with works by 40+ artists who won grants and scholarships in 2024.

As the recipient of the Xavier Gonzalez and Ethel Edwards Spanish Travel Grant, I traveled and experienced Spain. This exhibition will include 2 plein air paintings from Spain.

I am also including a portrait of Katie, which is one of my favorite paintings of mine.

*Spain – The Sierra Nevada – Pico Veleta – SOLD – This item is available for purchase through The Art Students League of New York –*

*Spain – Ibiza – Platja des Figueral – SOLD – This item is available for purchase through The Art Students League of New York*

Portrait of Katie - The Art Students League of New York

Portrait of Katie – This item is available for purchase through The Art Students League of New York

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The quince in Bonnefont cloister garden

Post author By Je
Post date September 15, 2025

So I had prepared this linen about 2 years ago, thinking I will cut it to make smaller canvases, but ultimately, it was destined for this painting of a rare quince tree in New York City.

I had been meaning to paint the Met Cloisters but never got around to it until this September, when I saw it covered behind these massive —and green—quince fruits. According to Deirdre, the fruit color turns golden in late October.

For more information about this magnificent trees, read The Golden Quince by Deirdre Larkin.

Figurative Paintings

Spain: Catalonia

Post author By Je
Post date July 13, 2025

My trip to Spain began in July. The planning for this trip had begun more than a year ago when I received the Xavier Gonzalez and Ethel Edwards Travel Grant in 2024.

As soon as I received the grant, I knew I wanted to paint in Spain, so I began to prepare itinerary as well as a plan to bring my painting materials.

Painting in Pyrenees. It began to rain so took a long break to paint a tree.

Traveling with simple art supply is a one thing, but traveling with oil paint and necessary chemicals takes another level of planning.

And, if I were to paint portraiture, I would just bring my minimal palette, but I had to bring additional colors to paint the nature, adding cadmium yellow and shades of greens and blues. I also packed lavender spike oil instead of odorless mineral sprit.

I test drove a few different pochade boxes in preparation for this trip and have used all of them for a year, and then eventually choosing one that I carried all over Spain. I also walked 100+ Kilometers carrying this through El Camino, but I will save that story for another time.

Because I was staying in small hotels and guest houses, I quickly found that I couldn’t use the lavender spike oil for painting. It smelled too strong, and there wasn’t a good way to keep my paintings indoors.

Once I got back to Barcelona, though, I was able to buy some odorless mineral spirits. That was nice—I like this European version of spirit better than the American ones.

Catalonia truly is a haven for painters and outdoor enthusiasts. Its mountains, rivers, ocean, and manmade buildings and monuments stimulate imagination.

And, if all the eye candy is not enough one can definitely be inspired by fresh food or variety of cured meat, which all can be readily packaged for painting in the Spanish wilderness.

And because the wild Spanish sun stays lit for additional hours than the one from New York City, I felt energized and didn’t feel tired at all during my stay.

Tags Ethel Edwards, Spain, Xavier Gonzalez

Figurative Paintings Portrait Paintings

Portrait of Amanda

Post author By Je
Post date May 12, 2025

This portrait was completed from April 21st through May 9th. I painted a small head study on the first day and quickly decided that I would need the all remaining days to paint this portrait.

The following image shows initial development of this portrait. Many changes came after this stage. Because this painting is completed from a live model, I adjust her pose and color constantly until I am satisfied with how the entire figure works with the composition.