Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Fall arrangement

Final of Fall Arrangement

This is the finished painting. The masque has been removed and color filled in where the white lights were too bright and too large. The only thing I would change is I would have darkened the background around the upper right sunflower but hesitate to do so now.

Next image


This next image was of taking off the masque , adding more color and reapplying masque to the tiny light spots on the berries and tiny seeds. Then darker color was applied to pop the flowers in some areas.

Next image

This is the next phase of this Fall arrangement watercolor.Color was added to the flowers and planning for complementary color around the flowers.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Time to get back to work

Christmas is over and I plan to work on the Fall arrangement today. It is cold and dry here so will bundle up and walk the dogs and then get busy. Hope to have a finished painting by tomorrow morning. All the painting gifts were well received.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Happy Holidays

I have done only framing, taking pictures down from a show and today will remove paintings from a restaurant that is closing permanently. Our local painting group has used this restaurant for more than a year for monthly shows, but the economy has struck them hard. We lose our GM plant the end of January so the economy in this town will just get worse. People don't buy paintings when they are struggling to put food on the table. Hope all have a Happy Holiday and a more prosperous New Year. I do want to work on the latest watercolor and will post any new work as soon as it is available.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Lake Erie Docks


It is finished. Due to the picture being so dark I had to improvise the dock and the rocky ground and lightenup the land masses. The sky isn't exact but it got so wet and thick with paint I was afraid it would blend too much. I had difficulty getting the hot pink color of the sunset. Emile Gruppe says that titanium white swallows up color and that zinc is more transparent. My white is Gamblin's mix of titanium and zinc. I will pick up a small tube of zinc for the future.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Sunset at Lake Erie Beginning



The photo I am working from and the blowup which loses color when blown up. And the painting so far. The photo taken by my granddaughter already has good composition. The colors aren't too difficult but the hot pink of the sun and reflections is difficult. It was so thick with paint I had to let it dry and will work more on it today. The Spark+ My granddaughters favorite photo of the dock at Lake Erie,and my desire to present her with this gift for Christmas.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Next watecolor



The photos are rather dark. The first one is of just the masque on the drawing. The second shows a light wash on the painting and was left to dry throughly.I used blue and violet so that it will contrast with the yellow flowers. I attempted to sprinkle the whites throughout. This will be worked on later as I have another granddaughters painting to complete.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Coffee paintings sold


I was thrilled when I was notified that two prints of my coffee painting of the Longhorn sold. Tonight I must work on the watercolor. But I had a nice luncheon with the critique group...sure wish they would show up for group. It is even held in a coffee shop so they have no excuses! Finished shopping for my Mom so will paint tonight. First, supper!

Good Morning

Today's post will come later in the day. I have put three drawings on canvas and applied masque to a watercolor drawing. I have Tai Chi class this morning , a Critique group luncheon, and I must do some shopping!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Looking for the Spark

I am looking for that art spark. I put two drawings of the neighbors houses across the street on my canvas. I had sketched them early one morning when there was a scattering of snow and the sun was making great shadows. Of course, the snow was gone quickly and it hasn't snowed since. Now I am uninspired! Must look through some photos that I saved for future projects.I have a Fall arrangement in a basket that is drawn on watercolor paper. I could do that, then put a Christmas arrangement in the basket. Guess that will be the project as Christmas will be here and gone, soon, and the snow will come eventually and inspire me again.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Hearts in the Snow


I completed the painting of the hearts made in the snow by the UPS driver for my grandaughter. She requested it. I am pretty happy with it considering the photo was in gray tones from a phone.I feel the composition works. Your eye seems to go to the wood pile first then to the tracks in the snow and then to the objects to the right. The road helps the swing of the eye and the trees give stability. I feel there was depth to the woods and the Naples yellow in the snow area lends warms to the painting along with the brush and leaves on the trees in the background.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Longhorn in coffee


Gosh, got interrupted with a phone call and forgot to publish this. It is a layering process using real coffee.

Resolution

Finally my mother is safely in a nursing home and I can get back to this. I have been painting but not blogging. My resolution is to begin today to get back to it! I spent the summer doing plein air whenever I could and did a number of commissions. I will put the coffee painting of the Longhorn here as I am very proud of that commission.
Today I am going to paint from a photo my granddaughter loves. Where the UPS man made hearts in the driveway when he turned around. This will be her Christmas present. Hopefully you will see it tomorrow.