Almost finished demo from fall class

I'm almost finished with this painting, which was my demo for my fall class.  I'm so sorry I didn't take a photo before this stage because I like to compare it to the unfinished painting as a form of tortune.  :-)   It's torture because sometimes my unfinished piece is better.  I hope that is not the case here.

When I put in more of the turquoise background the apples looked lonely so I added these berry things and leaves which added verticle volume, which was most need.

Since the demo I glazed more of the red part of the yellow aple and painted the berries and leaves, and of course the backgroun.  It's always helpful to take a photo and evaluate. I'm not sure I like that much red on what used to be a mostly yellow apple.  I think I'm going to wipe some of the red off.  Since I oiled up before starting, it should be really easy to remove.

If you don't oil up, you should consider it.  I use a 1:6 mixture of stand oil to gamsol.  I apply it to any painted surface that is now completely dry.  The benefit of this is that it immediately makes the darks rich as they appeared when first painted and wet.  It allows you to see what the true value of each object is, especially the dark colors that seem to get a milky look when they (and earth colors) dry.  Moreover you are ready to glaze any portion of the painting.  Finally, the layer of oil if you paint on top gives the new and old layers depth that you can't get with an alla prima painting.

Painting of yellow roses and blue thistle

I had a glorious weekend of painting and shopping.  What could be more fun.  I completed this painting, except for the yellow centers of the delphenia (sp?), which isn't even necessary if I don't get around to it.  This is a painting of yellow roses and blue thistle that was a student's challenge in my fall class.  She wanted to represent Scotland and Texas for friends getting married.  I'm so glad I took a picture of the bucket of flowers (or maybe a student did) they were so spectacular.  I couldn't resist.

This is a new direction I want to explore because of a personal self assessment (and criticisms about me personally, not my art).  That has transcended into painting quickly with less detail.  Boy was that fun and I don't reach the boredom stage.  I hope people like this because I want to do more of these.  The color in the original is so much more interesting.  A lot of turquoises and cobalts that are just not registering in the photo.

R.E. sketch

 Okay here is the latest example of a quick portrait sketch.  This actually took about 2 1/4 hours.  The second picture is after about 1:15 and the first picture was at about 15 minutes.  I actually like the sketch after about an hour better than the finished, but the face shape was off.  I didn't change much after the hour was up but the hair shirt and background.  Maybe a mistake.  I'm going to change it back to simpler shapes.  I like the brush quality better after an hour.

I know the highlight on the nostril in the shadow is too light, but I'm going to let it dry before adjusting because I think the drawing is good and the shape is right.   

I think I can proceed with the quick sketch for the Clifton Art Show on December 15

Another portrait sketch -- not so quick

Here is another (not so quick) portrait sketch.  Despite its sketchy quality, this has been repainted twice.  I can't get the eyes to look like hers.  I was almost done but had to tinker and ... disaster.  Turns out it was for the best, the eyes were too low.  I think they are appropriately placed now but they need to be reshaped.  I'm going to let dry since I've go it at a place I'm feeling okay about.  I'm not sure I can do these demos as anticipated.  I am taking the same amount of time as my regular painting. I guess I can't fight my own nature. I should take a bit longer with the drawing. It would save me time in the end.  

I painted in the garage and it is freezing.  My toes are numb.  I still have to go back out to clean my brushes.  I'm not looking forward to that.  Have to warm up.

Sample portrait sketch

Here is my sample quick sketch of my son.  I plan to demo 4 of these quick sketches at the upcoming  Clifton Holiday show December 15.  The creation of this sketch was strange and anything but quick. The first pass took about 30 minutes and I was happy with the painterly effect.  When I tried to take a photo with my Canon, the photo showed very high light and dark contrast; not at all what I saw with my eyes. So I went back to the painting to lighten the darks and knock down the highlights to get the photo to read like the painting.  Crazy.  So it was back and forth and back and forth between the painting and taking photographs.  Very time consuming but I wanted a good photo of the sample.  I was finally getting almost "acceptable results" with my Canon; but had to run to dinner, so I left frustrated.  When I got back I decided to take a photo with the ipad.  That solved the problem.  Perfect picture of what the painting looks like, with all the subtleties I was seeing with the original oil painting.

Anyway, I plan to take the first 4 patrons willing to commission a quick sketch of their child or grandchild but I ask that you sign up ahead of time. In fact, you can sign up now if you want. The patron can come and watch me demo the portrait at the Show, as can anyone else interested in watching.  I will demo from 1-5pm (I think).  I ask for a good quality (non copyrighted) electronic image of the child in advance of the Show and I will paint from the ipad.  Wiggling and boredom avoided!  This is a one time discount pricing.

The size is 8 x 10".  I haven't decided on price.

Participating in Clifton Holiday Art Show - Please come visit

My lovely town of Clifton is hosting a holiday art show on December 15.  I will be participating so please come and visit me.  Above is the flier for the show.  I hope to be demonstrating and sell quick portrait sketches.  I'm going to practice first to make sure that I can complete a quality sketch in 20 minutes (my goal and probably the limit of someone sitting for a portrait sketch).  It will be "watercolor" like I anticipate and very impressionistic.  I'll post after Thanksgiving to let people know if in fact I can accomplish this feat in the desired (or less) time.  There will be other demos and possibly someone demonstrating monotypes and having one on one sessions with participants on how to start a book/short story e.g. how to get your ideas on paper (two things I would love know how to do).   Our very popular wine shop is also hosting tastings and will be the source for the wine at the reception.  Catered reception from Shirley's catering!  Bring friends, family and general art lovers.

Thanks to My Students for a Great Fall Session.

A thank you to my students for taking my Fall painting class.  It was such a great group that I'm sad it is over.  Once again, everyone did great paintings!  I don't know why I can't remember to take pictures of some of them.  I even brought my ipad so I could, but got so involved I forgot.

My winter class will begin on January 17, 2013 at ArtSpace Herndon.  Please contact me if you are interested in the class.  I'm in a mood to do flower set ups so we will definitely continue with flower paintings, but with much simplier set ups and a 50/50 split with vegetables.   This term was almost all flowers, which are much harder to paint in my opinion because of all the folds of the petals and leaves.    Here is one example of the set-ups we had this year.  The other is my bucket of flowers.

I loved this idea, which was to combine Scotland and Texas (a student wanted to create a painting for her friend who is getting married-and yes you guessed it she is a Scot he is a Texan).  It was so fun to find the symbols representing their two contries which are the yellow rose (texas); blue bells (Texas--okay it was Delphinium but close enought); thistle and heather for Scotland..    I have never seen blue giant thistle like that before.  Simply stunning..

Latest Paintings

Here is the second painting I did last weekend.  This is a 6 x 8 canvas keeping with my idea of painting quick sketches.  I want to add a warmer glaze to the gren table and then it is done. 

I purchased some amazing purple and white ornamental kale.  It is fantastic and I have to find a way to paint today in between all the other stuff going on.  I'm going to get super impressionistic (I hope) and see what happens.   Large brushes only and palette knife. 

Latest Paintings

Last weekend I got the opportunity to paint.  My son was in school and I had the day off.  I worked on two paintings.  Here is one painting that was an identical set up to one for my class at ArtSpace Herndon.  I like the simplicity and the no frills glass mason jar.   I think I'm going to stop here and not finish these spider mum's anymore.  The painting is actually larger than this and sitting on books that I have not finished, but I think I'm going to affix it to a 12 x 16 panel or stretcher and call it a day.  I like it cropped like this.  I'm also trying to make a few quick sketches for more affordable pricing for an upcoming show.  .That show is the Art Guild of Clifton's Holiday Art Show on December 15 at the town hall.   More to come on that.