A Gaze into the Atelier: The Art of Richard Somonte on Film
- Beatriz Bullón
- May 2
- 3 min read
The YouTube channel Somonte Painting Studio is a digital and authentic extension of the artistic universe of Richard Somonte, a contemporary painter whose work has captured the attention of art collectors, lovers of pictorial realism, and enthusiasts of the traditional creative process. This audiovisual space documents, with honesty and precision, the complete journey of a painting, from its initial conception to the final finish, allowing viewers to enter the intimacy of the studio, where each brushstroke responds to a carefully considered aesthetic and emotional intention.

Far from being a mere visual showcase, the channel offers a rich experience for those who value painting as both a discipline and a cultural legacy. The featured works—including portraits, religious compositions, and plein air landscapes—reveal not only the artist's refined technique but also his deep commitment to the classical pictorial language, executed from a contemporary perspective. Each video becomes a documentary piece that provides context, sensitivity, and detail—qualities highly valued by collectors who seek to understand the soul behind each artwork.
Many of the recordings feature plein air painting sessions set in the natural environments of the Madrid mountains, where real landscape light and atmosphere interact in real time with the artist's technique. These carefully documented outdoor sessions reveal Somonte's commitment to direct observation and to nature as a source of inspiration. Alongside these, the channel also presents full painting processes carried out in the studio, where more formally elaborate works are developed, including intimate portraits, anatomical studies, and symbolically or spiritually charged compositions.

Among the materials published are complete oil painting processes that show the creation of life-sized portraits, detailed human figure studies, and works of strong symbolic content. These creations, often executed on traditional canvas or wood panels, reflect the artist's academic rigor, his mastery of chiaroscuro, and his ability to translate human emotion into visual form. For those seeking to acquire art with authenticity and conceptual depth, these videos serve as a tool as valuable as an in-person gallery visit.
Through Somonte Painting Studio, art collectors have the opportunity to witness not only the final result of a piece but also the technical decisions that shape it: the choice of color palette, the underlying drawing structure, the glazing layers, and the relationship between light and volume. This level of transparency not only enriches the viewer's experience but also reinforces trust and connection with the artist—something essential when acquiring original works.
The channel, closely linked to Richard Somonte's physical studio and gallery in Madrid, also serves as an international platform that expands the artist's reach and brings his work to collectors and institutions beyond the local scene. Each video acts as an invitation to explore and acquire unique works available in the online catalog at www.richardsomonte.com, where one finds one-of-a-kind pieces accompanied by detailed information on their creation, dimensions, and materials.

Somonte Painting Studio stands out for its sobriety, its reverence for the pictorial tradition, and its ability to connect with a cultured, discerning audience attuned to the timeless value of a well-executed work of art. It is, in essence, a natural extension of Richard Somonte's artistic universe and a valuable resource for those who wish to collect art with discernment, knowledge, and emotion.
To experience the spirit of this project directly, readers are invited to explore the artist's latest creation: a plein air portrait that delicately captures natural light and human expression. Watch the full video here:
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