It’s summer vacation time here!

As I visit Spain for the first time, I find myself thinking about one of my greatest artistic heroes – Joaquín Sorolla, the master of Mediterranean light. There's something magical about standing where he once stood, seeing the same Valencia coastline that inspired his sun-drenched masterpieces.

Joaquín Sorolla, **Valencia Beach in the Morning Light**, oil on canvas 1908

Sorolla had this incredible gift for capturing fleeting moments – children playing in the waves, fishermen hauling their nets, white fabric dancing in the sea breeze. But what truly stirs my soul is how he painted light itself. Those bold strokes of color that somehow make you feel the warmth on your skin and taste the salt in the air.

Over the years, I have studied his masterful work, from early oil studies painted from original works in the gallery of the Hispanic Society Museum in New York to more recent studies in pastel created in my studio. I wanted to share my own exploration with you of "The Fisherman, Valencia."

Picard After Sorolla, **The Fisherman, Valencia**, 17x24” pastel on dark gray Pastelmat

There's something profoundly humbling and exciting about copying a master's work. It's like having a conversation across time, discovering secrets hidden in every brushstroke. As I worked on this piece, I found myself asking: How did Sorolla make those shadows glow with reflected light? What made him choose that exact violet in the water?

Why Study the Masters?

We live in an age where inspiration is just a click away, yet there's still nothing quite like slowing down to truly study a painting that moves you. Whether you visit a museum with your sketchbook or work from a favorite art book at home, copying masterworks isn't about creating replicas – it's about understanding.

It's detective work, really. You're searching for clues about how great artists solved the same challenges we face today. How do we describe light with color? How do we capture movement in a still image? How do we make viewers feel what’s stirring in our hearts?

Your Creative Challenge

This month, I encourage you to choose your own hero from art history. Pick one painting that makes your heart skip a beat. Then spend some time with it – really looking, sketching, even painting a section that intrigues you.

Ask yourself:

What draws me to this work?
What would I love to learn from this artist?
What secrets are hiding in their technique?

Remember to sign your study "After [Artist's Name]" to honor the master who's teaching you across the centuries.

As I walk the Mediterranean beaches of Spain this month, I'm seeing through Sorolla's eyes, noticing how the light bounces off the waves, how shadows contain whole worlds of color. And I'm thinking of you, wherever you are, finding your own moments of artistic discovery.

Here's to the masters who light our way, and to the creative journey we're all on together.

Here's to seeing with open hearts and artist’s eyes,

Alain