Transparent Trio

My first pastel still life. The reference photo is from Wetcanvas. The only thing Wetcanvas asks of you when you use the photos is that you credit the owner. I didn't have any real tomatoes, but user Olika posted this gorgeous photo which I used.

Her photo:

There is an app I use to blur photos (versus squinting) to focus on shapes:

My painting:

5 3/4 x 8

Pastel on Schmincke Sansfix. Incidentally, I really like this paper, but it seems impossible to find online in the U.S.

 

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Maine Tidal Marsh

I've never been to Maine, but loved a photo (copyright free) I found on wetcanvas.com.  Wetcanvas.com is an incredibly useful website where an artist may post their work, obtain Q&As as to their art ranging from sculpting to painting and a whole lot more.  Also, wetcanvas.com has a image reference section which includes (and certainly is not limited to) animals, still life subjects, street scenes, people, etc.  The great thing is that the images are copyright free and the owners of the images must accept that before posting them.  I used an image posted by user "Colin" who posted an awesome photo of a tidal marsh and river in Maine.  I painted it this morning and am still using that fun app "Frame Builder".

Painting:

Painting in Frame Builder frame:

Frame Builder

Today I discovered an awesome app called Frame Builder. After seeing eBay artists display their art for sale in a virtual frame, I went on a quest to find a way to do the same. It's a great tool that allows potential buyers (and the artist selling his/her art) to visualize their potential sale in a frame or even just a mat. You can easily change the size or color of the frame or mat just by dragging a slider bar. You can even change the size of the bevel on the mat!

Take this painting I did over the weekend. I like the way it looked in person and even with a simple white mat over it, but the image alone? Not so much.

Enter Frame Builder, et voilà! Much better!

A couple of other examples:

 

Additionally, you can save "templates" so that you don't have to start from scratch. Coolio!

 

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Pink Callanques

I tried to paint this scene in oils not long after I returned from Marseille in July. I was a bit rusty as I had not painted for a while, wasn't happy and thus put it away. Here it is on my largest pastel to date: 8x10. 98% of the pastels I used were Terry Ludwig pastels with a sprinkling of some very soft Scminckes for some finishing touches in blue? I followed Karen Margulis' recommendation for doing an under painting with a dark blue hard pastel (Nupastel) and mineral spirits. The support is Ampersand Pastelboard. I'm happy with this one!

 

 

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Capri Cove II and Roussillon Cliffs

I am still painting that little cove in Capri with my Terry Ludwig Pastels in Littleton, Colorado. Also painted the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, France from one of my vacation photos this past summer. I am still painting small as I am only 1 month deep into the pastel world. Capri Cove II is 4x6 and Roussillon is 5x8.

A Pastel Adventure

I recently bought a set of Terry Ludwig pastels. It is quite different than oils so it takes some getting used to. That being said, I'm really enjoying the medium!  I have discovered some amazing pastelists: Karen Margulis, Marla Baggetta and Casey Klahn to just name a few.  I hope to study with each and everyone of them soon!

My first painting that I was satisfied with enough to post is "Capri Cove", a scene I have painted before in ACEOs.  "Ojai Path in Blue" is from a reference photo I took in Meditation Mount in Ojai, California from my first painting workshop with Elio Camacho.  "Variation" is an exercise (idea originating from Marla Baggetta's "100 Variations" using the contrasting colors of the red trees with the cool green in the foreground only allowing myself 30 minutes to paint.  It's a very good exercise, one which I intend to continue doing.

CAPRI COVE

OJAI PATH IN BLUE

VARIATION

Lavender of Gordes

I think this is the largest painting that I have attempted and liked.
Lavender of Gordes
36x24
Oil on Canvas

No-Bull Elephant

I have to say that elephants are one of my favorite animals in the animal kingdom.  Majestic, passionate, massive and gentle.  Mostly when I paint, I paint for other folks whether it is for a commission or for a potential sale.  I painted the No-Bull (Noble) Elephant for me.  I am a big fan of Bob Ransley's work and am inspired by the bright colors in his work.  I haven't painted this size in a very long time.  I incorporated most of the colors from my living room rug into the painting.  Below is the W.I.P.
24 x 30
Oil on Canvas
First 20 Minutes:

After 45 minutes:

An hour and 15 minutes:

I think I'm finished.  I'm thinking about it.  I'll take a better picture this week.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Koala Bear - SOLD

I forgot to post this fuzzy wuzzy purple koala bear who sold pretty quickly.
He looks more purple in person.

Ole One Horn Bison

On my easel.  Honestly, I am not going to name this painting "Ole One Horn".  I just haven't painted the other horn.  :-)

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

On Alert - SOLD

Still on safari.  I haven't decided whether or not this painting is finished. I may go back into it to lighten up the background.  The reference photo I used had a really dark background.  I will list it on eBay to see if it gets any activity.  If it does not, then I will come back to it.

Peacock on Magenta

Peacocks are some of the most glorious birds on Earth, don't you think? With their bright colors and their fancy hats, who can resist a photo opp of them!

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.

Dancing Rhino

One of the other paintings I painted this weekend was Dancing Rhino.  Actually he was the first of the animal paintings.  He does look like he's doing a little two step or something, doesn't he!

ACEO - Elephant Attack

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

Peeking from the Shadow

This is my favorite coffee cup.  The day I painted this, the cup went directly from serving me coffee to serving as a model.

Stretch Harder

Holy cow! I just looked back in my blog to find my last still life, and it was November 13 -- 3 months ago!
Even though it had been months, I took the bull by the horns and went for glass AND a flower!  Probably my favorite color scheme:  turquoise and red.  The vase is actually greener than I painted it, but some Phthalo blue found itself in the green I was ready to paint.  I liked the way it looked, so I left it.

   

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

Joys of eBay - Rooster On the Move

I sold a rooster painting on eBay, and upon receiving it, my customer realized she wanted a larger version of the same painting.  I sent her a photo of the finished product before mailing it, and she is very pleased.
1st version she bought:
"Volendam Rooster"
6x6
Oil on Gessoboard

2nd painting she commissioned:
"Rooster On the Move"
8x10
Oil on Linen Canvas