Fine Art from the Karoo

A Karoo painter’s art blog

Thoughts on plein air painting in the Karoo, and news from my studio.

How to choose your composition

How to choose your composition

A few weeks ago on a very windy day when my friend Cathy and I went up to Stanford Hills to paint. It was a strong Southeaster and not a sheltered spot in sight (except indoors, but we didn’t want to be indoors). We decided to go down to Blue Moon Farm where…

Why paint with a limited palette?

Why paint with a limited palette?

What are the reasons to use a limited palette? And what limited palette can I use for landscapes? My limited palette of Zellen artists’ oil paint. Firstly, I’m a plein air oil painter, so I don’t paint in a studio very often. I carry my studio on my back, which…

Women’s Day Landscape Painting Workshop

Women’s Day Landscape Painting Workshop

This Women’s Day, I will be teaching a Landscape Painting Workshop at the beautiful Zesty Lemon Restaurant just outside Stanford on the Sir Robert Stanford Estate. Come and join me for a full day of plein air painting in the stunning gardens with views across…

Painting Classes to continue, Egret & the Owl, Stanford

Painting Classes to continue, Egret & the Owl, Stanford

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the students, and Annalize and Greta of Egret & the Owl Book Café, painting sessions on Monday mornings will be ongoing. Here are the details for those interesting in joining us: Mondays at 10am at Egret & the Owl Book Café, Morton…

Across the River

Across the River

This is the whole process of creating this oil original painting, from plein air pencil sketch to final studio painting. My inspiration: I was surprised by this painting. I wasn’t expecting much when I drove down to the river on a windy evening in March to find…

Painting Sessions @ Egret and the Owl Book Café

Painting Sessions @ Egret and the Owl Book Café

I’m pleased to announce that a series of six painting sessions will be starting next week Monday. The sessions will cover the painting fundamentals of value, colour and composition, and will include painting exercises in a sketchbook (or work on loose sheets if…

Wandelpad #2

Wandelpad #2

© Tracy Algar, Wandelpad 2. Oil on canvas, 30 x 20 cm.Wandelpad #2 is a plein air painting that I painted on the Stanford Wandelpad in spring last year I’d been anticipating this painting outing for a while. I’d scouted the location, checked the weather…

Wandelpad #1

Wandelpad #1

At the time I started painting this little Stanford landscape, I was walking this path daily. It’s a few month’s later as I post this here, and my Wandelpad walks have slacked off a bit. The past few months have been a time of tumultuous change, something…

The Dip Stanford

The Dip Stanford

The Dip, Stanford – Oil on canvas – 30x30cm – ZAR 1,150 I’ve been thinking about painting the dip for a while, and I think I’ll be painting it again. It’s so very Stanford, one of the entrances to the Wandelpad, and a favourite…