Robie Benve Art

Sooo, I did announce left and right that I was doing the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge in January, and as the month went by I realized that 30 was a high aim in such a busy month. Nevertheless, I did paint with increased productivity, and with a lower level of fear. It's hard not to be intimidated when you know you are going to post a photo of it online for everyone to see and critique. Still, I tried to complete paintings without worrying about "perfection" and move on. Chances are that when I look back at them few months down the road I may like them better and appreciate some details more. If not, in January I also learned that it's fun to paint a brand new painting on top of an old one that I don't like. That knowledge may come in handy in the future. ;) Painting over an older work that I don't like has two positive aspects: 1. I recycle a canvas or board, without wasting it. 2. I stop seeing an "ugly" painting laying around in my s...

"Sunset on River Brenta" 6"x6" oil on panel Available The region where I grew up is called "Riviera del Brenta", and it's gorgeous area, full of cute little towns and several villas and palaces that are more than 400 years old, scattered along this river, the Brenta. Credit for the reference photo goes to my friend Gianluca Lazzari, my classmate in high school, and now connected through facebook. He has a natural artist eye, and takes the most gorgeous captures of his everyday landscape scenes. Thanks to the social media I get to see his photos. BTW, today is the 7th and I am posting the 5th daily painting of the month... something does not add up! lol To be honest I have skipped one day of painting (yesterday) for lack of time, and the day before I started this small painting, but did not get to finish it, so here it is!

"Afternoon Beach, study" 8"x10" Oil on gesso board Available Day three of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge, and I have completed another one, woohoo! This is a quick study of an afternoon beach, from a photo that I took last summer in Calabria, Italy. To get to the beach you had to go down several steps, and the photo was taken from up the stairs, looking down. I completed this study fairly quickly, and had fun including the figures and the umbrellas. I don't usually include people in my paintings, but simplified people are great to give a sense of proportions.

"Thinking of You" 8"x10" Oil on Board Available This painting puts me in a romantic mood. It makes me feel like I want to be there, but not alone. So I know that if my loved one was not with me, with a sight like this I would be thinking of him, hence the title "Thinking of You". I filmed the painting process for this with my phone and created a time lapse video. I am trying to get better with time lapsing myself painting, but this video turned out all right for a time lapse rookie. You can see it on my facebook page (and if you get there, make sure you like my page, then you'd really make me happy!) One question still persists in my mind: is this a sunset or a sunrise?  I really can't decide. Thanks for visiting!