Voices of Expertise

Derek Penix

Sanibel Seagulls 33 x 36″ Oil

The contemporary, energetic works of Derek Penix invite us in to discover them—and the extra we discover, the extra we uncover as our eyes journey from nook to nook. The patterns and colours usually defy the custom of a central focus and as a substitute information us to spend time discovering treasures throughout the canvas. Penix has received awards in virtually 100 nationwide competitions within the final twelve years. He teaches art workshops across the nation and at the moment lives in Laguna Seaside, California. We requested Penix to jot down us about his inspiration, his capability to mix technical ability with suggestive gestural image-making, and his course into the summary. He began by telling us about rising up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

My mom and grandfather painted. I by no means had curiosity in it till after graduating highschool although. My mother and father inspired me to color and at some point on a visit to Laguna Seaside, California (the place I reside now), I walked right into a gallery with my dad and noticed the work and thought “I might do that!” Shortly after that journey I painted my first portray and my mother took it into a neighborhood gallery they usually offered it instantly. After that I used to be hooked. I’m nonetheless with that gallery right now (Royce Myers Artwork Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma). I’m grateful he gave me an opportunity and believed in me at first and all of those years later.

Flamingos, 8 x 16", Oil, © Derek Penix
Flamingos 8 x 16″ Oil

I actually knew nothing till Quang Ho. He helped me with among the fundamentals, like blocking in a portray and understanding how the attention can circulate round a portray. I by no means went to school or any faculty to be taught artwork strategies. C.W. Mundy has been an in depth good friend and mentor to me for the final ten or so years. I’ve loved his friendship and that we name and chat about all the pieces from private subjects to no matter we’re at the moment portray.

Old Harbor in Cap Ferrat, 24 x 24", Oil, © Derek Penix
Previous Harbor in Cap Ferrat 24 x 24″ Oil

Into the Blue, 36 x 36", Oil, © Derek Penix
Into the Blue 36 x 36″ Oil

Would you inform us one thing about your course of and your supplies?

I’ve by no means actually been a plain air painter as I are inclined to not like my work once I paint exterior. I don’t create thumbnails. I normally simply discover a picture that I took that I like and paint it. I principally paint within the studio. Nevertheless, I plan going ahead to color extra plain air items now that I reside in Laguna Seaside, California. I find it irresistible right here and don’t ever wish to go away.

I at the moment simply use a easy pallete of warms and cools of the first and secondary colours. I principally normally paint on
Claussens 13 oil primed canvas.

That is my workshop provide record:

   Filbert brushes sizes #10 #8 #6, #4, #2, #0
   Rosemary Shiraz Filbert brushes (what I principally use)
   Pallete knife
   Gamsol
   Gamblin Neo Megilp (optionally available)

   I have a tendency to make use of the next colours.
   Titanium White
   Cadmium Yellow Mild
   Cadmium Yellow Medium
   Cadmium Yellow Deep
   Cadmium Orange
   Cadmium Purple Mild
   Everlasting Rose
   Cerulean Blue
   Cobalt Blue
   Ultramarine Blue
   Viridian Inexperienced
   Yellow Ochre
   Vandyke Brown

Have you ever explored different mediums along with oils?

Sure, watercolor, one time and I gave that up a couple of minutes later. I make too many errors and have discovered to embrace them in oil portray. I am unsure if watercolor would ever work for me.

Koi, Oil, © Derek Penix
Koi Oil

Would it not be proper to say that a lot of your work have very robust visible pathways all through them, generally with no singular focus? Are you able to inform us somewhat bit about this and the way you’ll be able to construction them to be so partaking?

I believe I’m extra of an equalization painter by nature. I simply am interested in that type and like the attention to circulate round. However I do hope to experiment in my compositions with dominant focal factors.

Peach Orchard, 20 x 20", Oil, © Derek Penix
Peach Orchard 20 x 20″ Oil

Any phrases of knowledge you may give to starting artists?

Find out how you see as an individual. and perceive believability greater than realism. Study what’s vital to color and what’s not wanted.

And, only for enjoyable, for those who might sit down and have an extended dialog over dinner with an artist from the previous, who would you select, and why?

Richard Diebenkorn—in all probability as a result of he’s my favourite painter now. I’d wish to perceive what he would say about colour principle and design as I’m turning into extra within the summary.