ACEO Calling All Hens

What is it about roosters that people love?  Maybe it is their pretty awesome looking feathers, or perhaps that cool wiggly comb thing a top their heads.  Either way, I do enjoy painting them.

ACEO
Calling All Hens
2.5 inches x 3.5 inches

ACEO Unfazed

When in the Netherlands last summer, I snapped a picture of this egret who was completely unfazed by all of the people walking around his territory at the Volendam Harbor.

ACEO - Elephant Attack

I started an animal series this weekend. Some were 8x10s, and some were ACEOs.
Elephant Attack is an ACEO.

ACEO - Lily Zoomed

A return to oils, and I feel it was a happy return.

Over the weekend, I prepared a whole bunch of art cards (several layers of gesso, sanding).  I do prefer the oils, and using Galkyd speeds up the drying time with the added benefit of a lovely shine.

Lily Zoomed
2.5 inches x 3.5 inches
Oil on Watercolor Paper

View from Beaulieu Sur Mer

From my reference photo in the South of France.
Taken from Beaulieu Sur Mer.

ACEO Provençal Lavendar

This is probably my favorite art card thus far.
A bit cliche, but I like it.  I think this would make a terrific large painting in oil.

ACEO - Capri Grotto Passage (acrylic) - SOLD

I returned to the acrylics for this one and was quite happy with the results.
I absolutely LOVE the colors!

CAPRI GROTTO PASSAGE - Acrylic on Hot-Pressed Watercolor Paper

ACEO - Amsterdam Roses (oil)

I tried to paint a still life with the acrylic, but it didn't work out too well.  I ended up painting over it.
Since I've painted so many still lifes in oil, I thought I would tackle it on an ACEO.  From a photo I took in the Amsterdam Flower Market this past summer.  I kind of like this one!

AMSTERDAM ROSES - Oil on Fabriano Oil Paper

ACEO - Return to Oils - Antelope Valley Tree -- SOLD

I was having so much fun with the acrylics that I decided I could do the same with oils using the Fabriano Tela Oil Paper.  The scanner still picks up the texture of the Tela paper, but not quite as much as the canvas paper on some of the earlier ACEOs.

LONE TREE, ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA - Oil on Fabriano Tela Oil Paper

ACEO Bush Lupine - SOLD

I really enjoyed painting this one.  
I reintroduced Phthalo Green to my palette, and am quite glad I did!
Phthalo Green with Quinacridone Red and a bit of Phthalo Blue with a titch of white make a gorgeous gray which is used sporadically in the bush.

BUSH LUPINE, ANTELOPE VALLEY, CA - Acrylic on Canvas Paper