It's a Crock (Pitcher)

"Pitcher" 5 x 7 oil on board

not available for sale

Warming up in the studio today with another little alla prima daily painting. Speaking of warming up, we had to open the door and the window at the studio...it was such a lovely day. We could see the dark clouds to the west, but it was sunny and 50 degrees plus in beautiful downtown Golden.

We had visitors at the studio today, some friends of June's. One friend brought her two boys, 4th grade and 1st grade. I just happened to have some extra pencil sets and gave them to the boys. They were so thrilled, you just never know what impact you might make on a child that loves art. I was one of those kids who received art supplies from a neighbor and it started my quest to learn everything I can about painting and drawing.

While Paint is Drying

"Mandarin Orange" 5 x 7" oil on board
Sold

While I'm waiting for paint to dry on some of my more involved paintings I thought I would try a small alla prima painting. Alla prima just means no layers, painted directly onto canvas or board. In this case I did have the canvas toned with a peachy, umber-y color.

I'm not an alla prima painter or really an oil painter for that matter....but I rather like the freshness of the approach and the chance to see the brush strokes.

My studio mate, June, and I decided we need to do these every day we paint as a warmup. The cost of these daily paintings will be minimal ($18.00 includes shipping) and available for purchase on my Etsy Shop. Click here to purchase this painting.

Mandarin Orange and Tulip Bowl - WIP - Oil

"Mandarin Orange and Tulip Bowl" 9 x 12 Umber Layer (Work in Progress)

As mentioned in my last post, I've been looking at the work of Dennis Whalen and a few other artists who use the techniques of Flemish painting.





The first thing I did was draw my composition on my gessoed panel (9 x 12). I then went over it with ink (I used a Sharpie). I can only guess at this point that the ink drawing is to preserve your drawing when you tone your canvas and if you don't like how the first layer is going you can wipe it off and still have your drawing ready to go.





Toning the canvas consisted of applying and wiping with a cloth a thin mixture of Burnt Umber oil paint. I used Walnut Oil as a medium to thin the paint. I let that dry for a day.





This picture is the Umber Layer...I've also seen it referred to as the Umbra Layer. The purpose of this step is unknown to me at this point, but I have to tell you it's the most fun I've had in a long time. Just the patient application of paint in a value study.....such tedium and so relaxing.


I'll let this dry for a couple of days, and then I apply the "dead layer".....doesn't that sound horrible??

Glazing on Strawberry Started

"Strawberry on a Plate" 9 x 9" oil on board

This color glazing is going much better than the cup and grapes from Monday. Things I have learned so far:


1. Some Flemish painting techniques start with an umber value study and the second layer is the "dead layer" which is the greyscale underpainting. Then go to color glazing. Check out Dennis Whalen. I skipped the umber underpainting although I can imagine it would warm things up a bit.


2. Don't put in the highlights when doing the underpainting.....it usually leaves ridges that can't be corrected without scraping the canvas/board. Only add the highlights towards the end.


3. Be careful of hard edges that you create in the underpainting.


4. A mop brush is a big help for gradations and smoothing the paint without actually pushing it around.


There may be more learnings as I go....but for the first two oil paintings done with this approach I'm happy with the direction. I just need to get familiar with my palette, mixing colors and using the medium.... in my case walnut oil.

Glazing Color over the B/W Oil Paintings

"White Cup and Grapes" 9 x 12 Oil on Board

I did two oil paintings in greyscale, a value study. I don't have a before picture of this painting, just with the color glazed on.

There must be a trick to photographing oil paintings which I have not discovered yet, because there is a lot of reflection especially in the dark background...but you get the idea.

This was a tremendous amount of fun, and a great experiment. I'm going to try more....

Oil Painting? Is the Sky Falling?

"Strawberry and Spoon" (Work in Progress) 9 x 9", oil on board

I haven't oil painted in about 5 or 6 years...maybe longer. But my studio mate, June, is having such fun that I had to join in.

My approach, for the time being, is to paint an underpainting with black, umber, and white...a value study really. When the underpainting dries I will glaze color over the top and hopefully will be easier than trying to figure out oil painting technique, color, and value all at the same time.

The resource is from a painting I took, and it is simple enough that I didn't have to paint too many complex shapes with my new tool, the brush.

Abend Gallery Holiday Miniatures Show

I am so excited to be part of the 20th Annual Holiday Miniatures Show at Abend Gallery next month! Check out the link for info on the exhibit and participating artists. Reception is Friday, December 3, 2010 from 5-9. Both of my pieces are colored pencil.

Even more exciting is my two studio mates, Tracy and June, are also in the exhibit!

Marble Bowl and Leaves - Work in Progress

This piece, "Marble Bowl and Leaves" is 12" x 16" soft pastel on Wallis white sanded paper mounted to 4 ply Conservation board (I purchased several from Dakota Pastels.) The photos work backwards with the drawing being the last photo. The painting still needs to be finished and I will post the finished piece this next week.

Keep in mind this is one approach to painting with pastels. This process works well for Light and Shadow concepts (chiarscuro). However, good composition is necessary for working in any medium. I'm not a proponent of "happy accidents", my accidents are never "happy" and I need a way to approach all my paintings because I'm a creative "creature of habit".

Continuing to paint and work out the specifics (details)

The leaves and table cloth are yet to be "painted", and there will be all kinds of tweaking once I work on them. For one, the left jug will probably be toned down in value because I want the leave to carry the light to the marble bowl.

Blending the colors

(makes the white of the Wallis Paper go away-I use my fingers)

Blocking in the color

(gives you a good foundation for continuing to paint and add details and colors)

Blocking in the Light and Shadow Structure (should be a good abstract if done well.) The best way to see the structure is to squint your eyes.

Needs a lot of thought when composing and lighting your still life setup

Dynamic Symmetry Armature (for composition and design)

and Drawing (for placement and perspective)

Brown Jug and Crabapples - Finished

"Brown Jug and Crabapples", 9" x 12", Pastel on Paper

Snow today in Denver! Painted at home today and stayed nice and toasty. Back to the studio tomorrow.

Finished the above painting, and it can be purchased on my website.

Juror's Award

"Chopsticks and Tulip Bowl", 12 x 16", pastel on paper

Over the weekend I learned that my painting "Chopsticks and Tulip Bowl" won the Juror's Award at the Estes Park "Lines into Shapes" Exhibit. The winner's (along with purchase information) can be seen here.





I was very pleased!!