Guitar Moment

Wanting to switch gears this afternoon, I grabbed my acrylics and jumped into a loose and impressionistic portrait in black and white.  This type of work normally rolls right off the brush, but not today.  I started by painting the masses with a dry brush technique, laying in the darks first.  Once the lights were in and the panel was covered, I started pushing and pulling the edges until the image emerged.  This was a bit of a struggle!  I've not painted in this way for a while, so it took a while to get comfortable with the paint!  I think I better do a few more of these just to get back up to speed.  Painting number 1509 in 1509 days :)

Fishing

Fishing
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

I first studied for this small painting by doing a pen and ink sketch.  Next, I did a quick color block in.  Finally, I come in and mark all the tiny bits of warm and cool, turning the planes and giving them life.  What I find when I pull the two together to post, is that I really like the freshness of the color block in better!  I sometimes do this!  When I paint without thought, just quickly blocking in the masses, I often return to this and think - wow, I wish I would have been true to that color!  So, I am leaving this for now, but when I get a bit of time, I am going to pop back in some of that wonderful blue on the shorts, and the fresh green in the grass.  Then, I will call it done.  Painting number 1160 in 1160 days.

color block in

Michael - value study

Michael
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Tonight finds me painting the baby of the family - Michael!  This child has been a joy for his entire life. He is such a peacemaker, so loving and there is not a cross bone in his body.  It has been my pleasure to parent him these last 16 years.  I've been truly blessed when it comes to children, every one is a shiny star and as good as they come!  I am working him up in black and white, value study style.  One reason for this is that the light in my photo is not very good, so the true colors are hard to read and very diluted. So, rather than struggle for colors I could not see - I painted in black and white, where I could strengthen those values for powerful portrait. I am loving this portrait month and wondering why I didn't do it sooner!  Painting number 1051 in 1051 days :)

The Walking Stick

The Walking Stick
Graphite on bristol, 9x11

Michael was walking along a deserted stretch of Lake Eerie, where the once beautiful Maggie Marsh wildlife sanctuary is in Ohio. With limited funds, the park is now just a shadow of it's former self.  The last time we visited, it was full of visitors and people enjoying the beach and boardwalks. This more rustic, untouched area held it's own charm - more natural.  I was able to snap a photo and have kept it in mind for drawing or painting one day.  So, today I draw as Dad rests comfortably.  This is the 273rd artwork in 273 days.  I do wish I'd brought my paints.  The leaves are starting to change, and graphite simply does not do justice to the colors of fall!

Home from Fishing

Home from Fishing
Tinted graphite on bristol, 9x12

Michael and his cousin Jack were walking back up to the house from the pond.  They had found the fishing poles in the old milk barn - and had to try them out!  At 9 years of age, they were deep in discussion about the bait and the lures they had found in the old tackle box.  I snapped this photo as I trailed behind them with Michaela and Jack's two younger sisters.  A simple childhood moment captured in time, and it brings back fond memories of a day spent on the banks of the pond.  I think I will do this one in oils as well, perhaps cropping in a little closer to the boys.  Life goes by so quickly, and the most important times are the everyday moments.  Cherish each and every one.  This is the 216th artwork in 216 days.

The Orange Ring

The Orange Ring
Oil on panel, 10x8

As the summer days heat up, we find ourselves often in the pool.  This painting is of my youngest son, Michael, just hanging out in the water.  I painted this from photo reference I took a few summers ago.  This little darling is now 13 years old and 5'11".  My neighbor at the paint-in on Tuesday, shared his palette with me.  He uses a paper palette, and rather than throw his oils away, I scraped them onto mine.  The turquoise is a new shade for me - and perfect for this pool painting!  The oils were also of a soft texture - where mine are not.  It was fun to play around with them.  This is painting number 196 in as many days.