Dave Santillanes
MASTER ARTIST
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MEDIUM: Oil Paint | Digital Art
SPECIALTY: ✔ Generalist
As my painting style evolves my goal with each piece is no longer a literal rendering of the scene. Instead it is to capture and convey its essence.
In terms of composition, I look for simplicity. I’ve found that there are many opportunities to simplify a scene without compromising its sense of ‘place’. Therefore I’ll seek out the big abstract shapes in the landscape and use them for the underlying design concept. And because I’ve departed from a literal interpretation, I’m free to rearrange elements to fit this concept. In this way I am able to describe the scene in my own “words”.
Finally, capturing the essence of a landscape involves a realistic rendering of colour, light and atmosphere. This requires direct observation and is why most of my paintings begin in the field with a plein air study. But studying the physical aspects of nature isn’t the only reason I paint outdoors; for me, the sensory experience of being there is equally important. There’s no better way to get to know a place on earth than to sit for a couple of hours and contemplate it while painting.
This intense observation brings a spiritual intimacy with the scene that can’t be achieved in mere passing and allows me to “speak” with complete sincerity in each painting.
Dave’s EXPERTISE
Listed below are this Mentor’s specialty skills. Join this group if you want to grow in these areas.
Specialty: ✔ Generalist
Technical:
Colour and Composition
Technique Demos
Supplies and Tools – what to use, where to save, and where to spend
Studio Setup for Art Production
Providing Art Critiques
Teaching How to Self Critique
Color Grading
MARKETING & BRANDING:
Website Design
Pre-press and Graphic Design
Shows and Exhibits
Business:
Pricing Artwork
Running your art business the day-to-day
Products, Prints, & Reproductions
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MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST
“My goal isn’t to render a literal representation of a scene, instead I try to convey its essence, simplifying its components without compromising its specific sense of place.”
The choice of nature as Dave’s subject matter and fundamental inspiration springs from his lifelong love of the outdoors. Growing up within minutes of the dramatic peaks, rivers, lakes, and meadows of the Rocky Mountains and the vast open expanses of the Pawnee National Grasslands, he and his family spent plenty of time camping, hiking, fishing, and bow hunting. He still looks forward to getting outside and enjoying nature: “I love painting outdoors. Although I do studio works, too, my usual approach is to use my plein-air pieces as a guide for them. Outdoor painting is meditative—and I don’t think I can do an honest landscape now without having painted on location.”
“Seeing a scene is only part of the story,” he says. “Being there creates a spiritual awareness of my surroundings that allows me to ‘speak’ with complete sincerity in each painting.”
In the past few years, Dave has netted some prestigious awards. In addition to a Judge’s Award at the Grand Canyon show and the 2010 bronze award from the Oil Painters of America, Dave has won the People’s Choice award at the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Show.