Teacup and Apple Blossoms - WIP

"Teacup and Apple Blossoms" work in progress
10 x 16 pastel on paper

More work today, adding color, smoothing things, adding some atmosphere. Really warmed up and toned down the pink today. I have one apple blossom in....we'll see how that goes tomorrow ;-)

My friend, Kate, sent me a question regarding my comments from yesterday about the drawing and why I would wait until the end to true up and worry about symmetry. Great question Kate! Thought I would share the answer with others.

As you add in layers of pastel color and "mush" edges of objects you often times lose the accuracy of your drawing. To check symmetry I draw a series of light pastel pencil lines (for example, one vertically down the center of an object and then measure side to side to make sure the edges are equidistant from the middle.)

No matter how accurate your original drawing is you will lose a good deal of it painting a still life in pastel. I wait until almost the end of the painting to "true up my drawing" because by that time most of the painting consists of small tweaks and the integrity of the drawing is easy to hold on to.

Thanks Kate, great question.....

Teacup and Apple Blossoms - WIP

"Teacup and Apple Blossoms" work in progress

10 x 16 pastel on paper

Working in the studio Monday and today to work up the teacup, pitcher and small jar up to about the same level of completion. Still have to get the handle and apple blossoms in. Then I will go back and check the symmetry of my objects and true up the drawing. Then the last step will be to work edges and correct any problems.

Fine Art Views Competition for May

If you click on the title of this post it will take you to my entry to the monthly Fine Art Views Competition (May).

When you get to my entry I would love it if you would click that you "like" this painting!

Thanks!!

Silver Pitcher and Apple Blossoms - WIP

"Silver Pitcher and Apple Blossoms" Work in Progress

10 x 16 Pastel on White Sanded Paper

Working on a new still life painting after taking a breather with landscapes over the last six weeks.



I began like I always begin, laying in my dark structure, then adding color to the darks, then working on the lights. Today I worked on the pattern of the roses in the teacup.



Everything is still pretty rough, but I think it's going in the right direction.

You may remember this little number, the cuties/white pitcher and lace. I knew right away this wasn't going anywhere. It recently got put in the trash. You win some and you lose some.

Sunset Orange

"Sunset Orange" 11 x 14 Pastel on Wallis

I've been studying some of the more colorful work of landscape painter, Kim Casebeer. I love her use of oranges, yellows and reds. Her neutrals are also stunning.

Here is my attempt to replicate that special mood she creates at sunset. I started painting it yesterday on a piece of Wallis sanded paper that I washed off. (The original painting on the Wallis didn't work!) Finished this afternoon at the studio.

We have a new sign at our studio, made by June's Dad. The outside of the studio also got painted a nice sage-y brown. We also have new numbers on our unit, the door painted, and a new light fixture. We're moving uptown!!