John Cosby – Oil Painting
A Simple Way of Locking Down the Light

Thursday, July 17, 2025, 6:30 PM

RAA&M Members: $35 | Non-Members: $45

When painting on location one of the problems we face is establishing a light and shadow balance quickly. If you can get the design down you can adjust the shapes to guide the eye to your area of interest. For this demonstration my intention is to show you how I approach locking down the light effect with a Notan style underpainting in a neutral value.

This neutral value is put down in the first 10 minutes and establishes both the shadow and light pattern on the canvas. This start will not only aid you in locking down the light effect but set you up for the color and value needed to finish out the effect you intended. I will then show you how I complete the painting with edge adjustment, color harmony and details.

"While standing on location in a place I have never visited, I begin to recognize what is different about it from all the other places I have been. I try to capture that, the uniqueness."

As a painter, John Cosby travels extensively painting what he sees and feels. Bold use of color and an energetic brush stroke combined with the truth of the place is what you will see and feel when viewing a painting by Cosby.

Born in Hollywood California in 1955, Cosby was raised in the west. At an early age he began to draw and paint and was lucky enough to have been inspired by a grandmother who was an oil painter. "She would give me the paint, some brushes and a scrap of canvas and set me off to paint. This early experience took the fear out of creating a painting," said Cosby.

Cosby started traveling at an early in his life. At 18 he was chosen as an advance man for the Executive Branch of the US Government, served under two Presidents and traveled the world. He met many interesting people and saw many things but what most interested him were the great works of art he encountered. "They haunted me and helped set the course for my career as a painter". After leaving the White House, Cosby rebuilt an old classic sailing sloop designed by Nathaniel Herrishoff. With a friend (who had dreams of being a writer) and set sail up and down the eastern seaboard in the inland waterway for about 3 years. Thus he began his art career.

"Doing drawings of anything that moved me, things began to sell and my course was set."

Upon his return to California, Cosby worked in commercial illustration and design with many clients such as In-N-Out Burger. While he was having much success with design and illustration his heart was in fine art painting, the sea and landscape of coastal California called. With a strong gallery response, his success as a fine art painter quickly followed.

Cosby currently resides and maintains a studio in San Clemente CA. He works on location around the world and is represented by some of the finest galleries. Cosby was a founding board member of the prestigious “Laguna Plein-air Painters Association”, a Signature member of both Plein-air Painters of America and The California Art Club. He has served as an officer of these groups to help further the cause of Art. Cosby was also a founder of the Laguna Beach Plein-air Painting Invitational that was held at the Laguna Art Museum and is now in it's 25th year.

With his bold contemporary style Cosby has captured the imagination of some very important collectors. His work can be found in many private, public and corporate collections around the world. Cosby is recognized internationally.

Thank You to our Local Sponsors!