Sweet Augustus

As my portrait journey continues, I am exploring my use of color and brushwork.  The last few portraits were fast and expressive - leading to fresh color and lots of strokes unblended.  As I worked through this one, I was a little more thoughtful with color placement and soft edges.  This little darling is thoughtful and sweet, encouraging me to mimic those qualities in my painting.  I really enjoy this journey and can't wait to see where it leads.  Painting number 2890 in 2890 days. 

Counting Sheep

Counting Sheep
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5 - sold

I simply love the sweet innocence of a sleeping child!  This is fast becoming one of my favorite painting subjects!  Using only titanium white and Mars black, I have painted this subject in true value study style.  Working from the photo below, I cropped in tight on the face working the large planes.  I normally use one large, scrubby filbert right up to the end, where I switch to a smaller cat's tongue for final definition.  I am beginning to like the whole dry brush technique - what was completely foreign two weeks ago is now very natural.  As for not using any medium - I don't miss it.  I don't use any with my oils, so the transition in the acrylics went smoothly - and the intensity of the hues is so much better!  Two more weeks of "portrait month" - where will tomorrow take me?  Painting number 1049 in 1049 days :)

Girl in White Hat

Girl in White Hat
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
(4th 15 minutes,,,)
purchase here

1st 15 minutues

On this assignment, the task was to study the reference photo for 2 minutes, then close it, and paint from memory 15 minutes.  I tried to lay in the masses as I remembered them.  Once to this stage I was not sure how to proceed, so I let the dogs out, fixed myself a cup of tea, and started a back up on my computer!

2nd 15 minutes

Yikes!  My head placement is much too low on my panel!  Trying to engrave the details of placement, light and shadow - I stared at the photo for 2 more minutes (thank goodness for the timer on my phone!)  I then made adjustments, especially trying to get the angle of the hat just right....but as you can see, I just couldn’t remember quite how it went.  I remembered values, but the edges eluded me....as they did for most of this exercise!

3rd 15 minutes

After another two solid minutes of studying, I finally began to feel like MAYBE I could find my way out of the fog!  At this point, I am wishing I had chosen a photo with more light on the face, but t is too late for that - and I must try to get the nuances of this light under the brim.  Bringing the hat into a better shape - which has taken me three attempts so far, helps me to anchor some of the deep shadows of the hair.  I spend my full 15 minutes painting this time, wondering if I will be anywhere close after the final 15!     Oh - and I did not realize I took a blurry photo, but alas - it is the only one I took so I have included it!

4th 15 minutes

Knowing this is my last crack at this, I study those little details that close in on a likeness, and am still trying to get those elusive values right!  This has been frustrating, and I can clearly see that some “brain” supplements are in order!  I can see how important this exercise is to improving ability, I simply have a long way to go.....!  After finishing this last 15 minutes, I think this is okay.  I am off on the eye shapes and the nose, and I wish I had positioned her on the panel more like I had cropped the photo. The composition would have been better.  I also should have pushed the values a bit more in her hair, as it looks flat.  I feel like I have run a race, and I think it is time for a glass of wine.  Maybe I’ll like it better in a couple of hours :)  Painting number 1047 in 1047 days.

1st 15 minutes

2nd 15 minutes

3rd 15 minutes
yikes!  blurry!

photo reference

Taking out the Tree

Taking out the Tree
Oil on canvas, 4x4 inch

One of the best things about having my parents stay so long for the holidays, is that I have heard stories I had never heard before about their childhood.  One such story was told by my mother.  Each Christmas eve, my mom's parents would take the kids out into the woods to pick out a cedar tree to use for their Christmas tree.  After dragging it back to the house, they would all decorate that tree in preparation for the coming day.  As a child, I remember that grandma's trees were always short and fat - bigger around the base than any other tree I saw.  Now, I know why!  My grandma always had the bubble lights on her tree, along with the big glass bulb lights - they were always hot to the touch.  I loved watching the bubbles rise along the glass tubes, it was magical.  Once all the Christmas get togethers were over, and decorations put away, the last chore would be to take the tree out and throw it in the pond - because "trees made good shelter for the catfish".  This is painting number 373 in 373 days and Day 8 in the current 30 day painting challenge.

Away in Dreamland

Away in Dreamland
Oil on panel, 12x9

My darling little grandson had fallen asleep while watching me paint - so I quickly snapped a few shots to use as reference.  I love his sweet little expression and the way he propped himself up on the pillows!  Whenever the little ones are over when I'm painting, I let them each load up a brush and lay down a few strokes on my panel.  Each is SO careful to put the paint where it should be!  I leave those strokes in place - as a lasting memory to their little hands at work.  This one makes 37 paintings in a row :)

First Guitar Lesson

First Guitar Lesson
Oil on panel, 12x9

Today, I get serious about figure work.  I have always drawn figures and portraits in graphite, but I have never really tried painting them in oils.  It is something I really want to be good at, and that only happens with a lot of hard work with the paints.  A few days ago my youngest daughter was teaching little Alan a few chords on the Baby Taylor, and here I have captured that moment in oils.  I can't wait to see where this path leads me.......This is day 27 of the 30 day painting challenge, and there are only a few days left :)

Windows of the Soul

Honorable Mention - HFAA 2012 Show

Sometimes, a drawing just flows off the tip of the pencil.  Other times, it is brought into this world like a hard fought battle.  I must say, this falls into the latter category.  Using new pencils AND changing up my normal methods was certainly the biggest drawing challenge I have had.  No resting in my comfort zone for this little darling.  After so much more work (i.e. blood, sweat, and tears...) I can lay my pencils down.  This one is now framed and ready to go to the HFAA show tomorrow.  I feel like I poured my own soul out on this one!

Windows to the Soul
tinted graphite on bristol, 20x16

Work in Progress...

Here is the next day's work.  I'm getting used to the tinted graphite - but I still miss the super soft blending of my normal pencils.  These little curls are becoming such a fun exercise!  It is just like putting a puzzle together.  At first, there is just a mess of squiggles, but as each curl is defined - it all comes together.  I still need to put more color on the face, then the shirt.  Last, I will blend in the background.  Nothing distinct, just color and shading..........I hope it turns out!  I want to enter this in a drawing competition, if all goes well :)

Work in Progress

I thought I would show my current work in progress, which is a little scary - as I am trying out  a new chestnut graphitint pencil.  I can feel the extra pigment as I work.  I can not blend as I normally do, it takes far more effort.  I love the warm color, but I miss my black and white already!  I'm also going to fill in the background, which I almost never do.  I like the effect of only the subject reaching out from the page, but I feel like experimenting (I hope I'm not sorry!)  I love these curls  - and they are sure going to be a challenge :)