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!!

Little Brown Jug - Work in Progress

"Little Brown Jug", 9 x 12" pastel on paper, (Work in Progress)

The crabapple trees in front of our new townhome have started losing their leaves, and the apples are everywhere.....but when life hands you crabapples, make a painting!

I still have a few areas to resolve, but hope to finish in the next few days....

Silver Pitcher and Teacup - Finished with Final Title

"Silver Pitcher and Teacup", 10 x 16" Pastel on Paper

Well, it's been a looong time coming, but I think this one is now finished. It started out with appleblossoms, then a dried rose, and today I decided it just needed a little greenery. So out to the rose garden to get a few cuttings.

Pitcher and Tea Roses - Work In Progress

This piece is 10" x 10" on Wallis White Sanded Paper using NuPastels, and a few Ludwigs.


Initial Sketch and Blocking of Light and Shadow
At this point the sketch is used mostly for placement

on the paper.

First Layers of Color

More Detail on Pitcher and Blocking in Rose Colors
(Light Sides and Shadow Sides)

This work in progress is to help illustrate moving from non-specific to more specifics and details. I don't paint details until near the end. The next specifics will be the roses, and then the leaves and finally the doily.

Teacup and Tiny Roses - Finished

" Teacup and Tiny Roses", 6 x 9" Pastel on Paper
Available on my website

Estes Park Exhibit

"Mexican Pitcher & Cuties"
11" x 16, Pastel on Paper

"Chopsticks & Tulip Bowl"
12 x 16" Pastel on Paper

Woohoo! The two pastel paintings shown here were accepted into the Estes Park 14th Annual "Lines into Shapes" Multi-media Art Competition and Sale, October 29th-November 14th, 2010.

The exhibit will be at the Art Center of Estes Park, 517 Big Thompson Avenue, Estes Park, CO.

Website for the center.