Many of August's Paintings

Lots of warm colors in this group of summer paintings!

Now that I have completed my fundraiser pet project for 2013 and my alphabet ABCs, I have decided on my next small daily challenge. I am going to paint a single subject under various light conditions. During this series, I will share what I have read (and the references) about how different light is painted. It may mean that I have to repeat this series (changing the subject) before I am able to succeed at this. Time will tell!

Sunstruck

Sunstruck/ watercolor sketch/ 6 x 4

I am reading the book "Catching Light in Your Paintings" by Charles Sovek. He describes the value range used in paintings to catch sunlight. He reminds us that black in shadow is only the half step between black and dark grey and black in light is medium grey. White in shadow, because of all of the reflected light from the sky and from the surrounding light-struck objects lightens to a a half step between light and medium grey. All the other colors fall in line with these guidelines.
This is a small sketch thinking about these relationships.

Watery Flamingo Sketch

Watery Flamingo Sketch/ watercolor/ 5.5 x 7.

The goal for this painting was to paint it using lots of water and clean vibrant color. I wanted the bleedbacks to define the softness of the body contour and suggest the presence of feathers.To accomplish this, it is easier to use all transparent colors in the first wash. The best transparent orange is Schmincke's translucent orange. It is a true orange color with lots of strength and none of the chalky opacity of many of the other watercolor oranges.

I have just completed the alphabet book and ordered a prototype to check for errors. I have also created a 2014 calendar with many of my favorite paintings from this past year. I hope to have some of these available for purchase at the "Artist Demonstration Event" in Sutton's new courtyard on September 26. During this event, the artists hope to answer questions and share processes. If you are local, I hope you will drop by.

"Y" is for and Fisherman Sketch

Yams. I love the beautiful inner orange color of this vegetable.  The alphabet is almost completed!

Fisherman sketch/ watercolor/ 8 x 6/ SOLD

In preparation for several upcoming events, I am painting some loose small watercolor sketches. This one is of a sunstruck fisherman at the beach.

Jam Jars #10

Jam Jars #10/ oil on board/ 5 x 7/ SOLD

The weather is cooler again so I wanted to start a series of jars with another year of painting experience.
This is the first of this year's series. My numbering will be from #10.

Artist Note: One of intriguing things about these jars is the way the colors bounce onto the lids, onto each other, reflect into their surroundings etc. I found that the highlights are not the "white" paint in any but the brightest ones. Instead, the highlights were cool blues, greens and yellows.

"X" is for

"X" is for/ oil on board/ 4 x 4/ $75/available at Suttons Gallery

Xigua Fruit which is the Mandarin Chinese word for a small watermelon.

Artist Note: This painting used the visual compliment again. I found that the background needed to have some visible changes in brush color. The flat blue seemed too uninteresting.

"W" is for

"W" is for/ oil on board/ 4 x 4/ available at Low Country Gallery )(HH)

winter squash. This leaves "x" as the last difficult letter. I hope to have a little book of alphabet fruit and vegetable book of paintings available at the artist demonstration later this September....

Artist Note: Many of this series used complementary color schemes.