Robert Johnson - Painting #2

Here is my second painting start from the Johnson workshop. Cheryl Cochran and I set this up in a huge rush. I think we had three hours left in the workshop and we were both tired of the carnations painting and had purchased these beautiful hydrangeas, pink spiky flower and golden rod, so we had to use them. We probably should have taken more time with the actual placement of the pears. So after about an hour of painting, we substituted the mango on the right and the orange slices on the left because the set up was looking contrived to have pears so equal in size and spacing. The pears looked like book ends so that had to change. Hopefully not so much anymore.

I've never painted hydrangeas before. They are intimidating. I knew it was going to be hard, but it wasn't horrify to get to this stage. My problem is trying to figure out when to stop. Just like grapes, I think I should paint the heck out of two or three clumps of petals and leave the rest as brush stokes. Plus, painting the detail here and there would help focus the eye and move it around the painting. My main subjects are the apple and pear in the center so I would want to paint some detailed petals near them. I've then got to decide where else will keep the eye flowing through this painting. I'm a bit perplexed by that challenge.

I think I'm going to have to take a class at the Art League or I will never finish these. I would love to take Danni Dawson's class on Saturdays. It is five hours (well one hour for lunch, but who stops for lunch?), but that is a long time to be away from the family on a weekend. Plus, the class is a portrait and figure class, so I know I'm going to want to paint the model. Dilemmas!

Robert Johnson Workshop - Carnations in Sugar Bowl

I recently attended Robert Johnson's workshop. It is a great experience. His set ups are spectacular and while I set up my own, he made suggestions including substituting mini pears with the clementines you see in this photo. While I liked the pears (and they would have done just fine in the painting), I agree the oranges gave it a good saturation of color.

Robert made me thicken the paint on the sugar bowl. Despite thinking I had thick paint already, my original attempt to paint the bowl does not compare to what is on there now. I now need to add the blue design.

I try to leave his workshops with at least one completed painting. That did not happen this time. First it took me forever to set up this still life and to get the right light and shadow on the subject. Second, I was completely unprepared and had not purchased the right canvas sizes or linen, so my canvas was too big (why I couldn't finish it). Third, I forgot paint colors at home and didn't have medium. But I did bring my favorite props and at lunch Cheryl Cochran (who painted along side me) and I went to Wegmans for some flowers, fruit and eucalyptus, which I find perfect for almost any set up. Eucalyptus was especially important in this painting since carnations don't have a lot of leaves and I think the painting set up would have looked unbalanced without it.

I found the perfect combo of colors for the cool shadow side of the carnations (cobalt blue and permanent rose). I'm writing it down here because for some reason I can't remember to put in the perm rose. So, here again is another unfinished painting. I'll post my other unfinished painting from the workshop tomorrow.

This class was especially fun because several friends took the class too, including Trisha Adams, Tricia Ratliff, Cheryl (mentioned above) and Dana Thompson. I can't wait for the next one!

Paintings at Gallery 222 in Leesburg until Saturday

I have not posted in so long. Lots of things getting in the way or should I say broken that required replacement - roof, dishwasher. Anyway, that has taken a real bite into my time and desire to paint. A lot of angst in figuring out how to replace these items.

In the meantime I failed to mention that I'm actually showing three paintings at Gallery 222 in Leesburg. I'm showing the "Pink Carnation in Oil Jug," "Clementines and Blue Vase" and "Hot Peppers Study". I think I might display this Carnations painting or Hot Peppers Study at the upcoming Art League show too (after the patron's show), which start at the end of February. It is actually the student's show, but the only thing left of the paintings from class is Hot Peppers, everything else has sold or is on hold.

I do love taking class at the Art League. I usually take Mike Francis's or Kurt Schwarz's class. Both teachers have a dedicated group of fellow artists followers, who are also good friends. Plus they put up with us doing our own thing. Taking class seems to be the only way I can dedicate time to paint. But it is an exhausting week, painting one night and then teaching another. It means two nights of getting home after midnight, then getting up the next day at 6 am. I just had to take a break this term. Now I have to self-motivate. It's near impossible.