18th century Irish landscape painter George Barret, Sr. (called Sr. or the elder because his son, George Barret Jr. also became a painter of note) spent much of his career in London, where he became a member of the Royal Academy.

His subjects ranged from specific views of the British countryside to more dramatic imaginary landscapes in a romantic style. His approach to painting also varied in degree of delicacy, detail and visible brush work.

In addition to his paintings in oil, Barret worked watercolor, gouache and distemper. (Distemper is similar to gouache except that the binder is hide glue rather than gum arabic.)

Mina dela Cruz is a painter specializing in still life and portraiture. Originally from the Philippines, she now lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

Her website has galleries of still life, portrait painting and portrait drawings. In her still life, in particular, I find that sense of quiet contemplation that still life painters can sometimes evoke through careful observation and sensitive rendering.

She often employs a muted palette and carefully controlled value ranges, combined with carefully arranged lighting, to give her commpositions an understated visual drama.