Sunday, November 29, 2015

Day Six Favorite Subjects

Duck Study/ watercolor/6 x 11/

This little watercolor again is not in the best light: same size issues as the previous post..

Since I missed posting yesterday and it remains overcast today, I thought that it would be better t post with apologies for the lighting.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Favorite Subjects Day Five

Budgie Study #2/ watercolor/ 10.5 x 6/ $75
Purchase here
This is not a well lit photograph of this little painting. This painting is a little too large for my phototube and it was too cloudy to improve the lighting by photographing outside.

Never-the-less, this is a bright little blue budgie from Sylvan Heights' Landing Zone. As this series continues, you can see that birds are some of my favorite subjects.

















My painting "Lean In" is presently hanging at the Kansas 2015 International Watercolor Exhibition.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Day Four: Favorite Subjects

This is one of my recent commissions. Most of the other commissions are Christmas surprises so I can't share them. My first drawings as a child were of horses so painting them now is a great pleasure

Today is Thanksgiving. I hope it is as beautiful where you are as it is here,

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Day 3 Favorite Subjects

Hummer Study #1/ watercolor/ 5 x 7/ $75
Purchase here
This little ruby throated hummingbird arrives at my feeder first every year. Although he is smaller than other hummers that come later, he stakes out his special feeder, reminds me when it is empty or moldy and stares through my kitchen window.

Hope you are ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Day Two Favorite Subjects

Rabbit Study/ watercolor/ 8.5 x7/ $75
Purchase here

This is a small rabbit that lives out back. It has beautiful thick fur, likely the effect of the nutritious flowers that it enjoys seasonally.
The softness of its fur is a challenge to paint. This softness is only approximately by the merging of edges which is accomplished with wet into wet washes.

Monday, November 23, 2015

Day 1 of Favorite Subjects

Budgie Study #1/ unmatted watercolor10.5 x 6.75/ $75
Purchase here
I have been busy working on commissions and submissions for the end of 2015. Finally, I am ready to add twelve of my favorite subjects and then my annual 12 in 12 tips or favorite finds.
Day One is a small watercolor of a budgie from Sylvan Heights Landing Zone. I painted this same image with a contrasting slightly greyed purple background. I expected the this unsuccessful background (the complimentary color to yellow and a greyed hue) to make the yellow "glow". Unfortunately, this wasn't the effect.  Therefore, I repainted this little bird with all jewel tones to give the effect of bright sunshine. The full value range (from white to the darkest dark) also creates the effect of illumination. In addition, the blurred edges soften the image and made it less "stuck-on" and believable.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Little Apple Study

Little Apple Study/ oil on board/ 4 x4 / $75
Purchase here
A small apple to add to my study of "glow".
Hopefully, tomorrow (certainly by next week) I will have a series of favorite subjects (hummingbirds, chicken, rabbits, cows and fish) are on my list.

Hope you might see something you like. Then you might gift it to yourself!! Off to paint!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Painting Food: Suggestions for a Class






This is the latest fruit in my study of "glow". This one was overpainted with a knife to add textural interest.

I have been asked to give a workshop in February at Blount Bridgers in Tarboro. This will be in association with an exhibition of Hobson Pttman's paintings of food. Therefore, I have been asked to teach about painting food. Food is often my still life subject of choice (it stays still, doesn't complain about the hot light it has to sit under and comes in great colors).

I have started to think about what might be the most interesting class.
I have been allowed great latitude.

To think about this, I goggled some of the images of Hobson Pittman's still life paintings of food. The two lower images remind me of Charles Demuth's food still life watercolors which like Pittman's have beautiful design and rich areas of color.
While I decide on this class, if you might be interested in attending and have requests, please let me know. I have to have a class description and supply list soon so that the workshop might be "gifted" for Christmas.

Hobson Pittman oil painting of pears

Image result for images Hobson Pittman
Hobson Pittman Nasturtiums and Onions













Image result for images Hobson Pittman
Hobson Pitttman Orange Slices No II
































Friday, November 6, 2015

Continuing Exploration of Glow

I have been busy working on commission paintings for Christmas (which I cannot, therefore, share)
When I get a chance, I am still exploring "glow". This is a pomelo which is the size of a grapefruit but lime green on the outside and pink inside. My reading suggests that the best neutral to use as a background color is a greyed violet... more to come.