Faithful Friend

Today finds me working on entries for the upcoming "Art of Kindness" gallery show at the Buttonwood.  My brother and his family just left this morning, so I am taking this day to regroup and take care of some art business.  A lot of things are put on hold during the holidays, and that is especially true this year.  It is so healing to center myself with my ink and watercolor, and dive into the theme of kindness.  Looking forward to a very meaningful year.  Painting number 2662 in 2662 days. 

Best Friends

sold

I have always loved horses - and the special relationship between this girl and her horse has been a joy to paint!  With so much on my plate recently, it took me a while to find the quiet I needed to really focus on this work.  Even settling down with my oils took discipline.  Once I started, the rhythm came naturally, albeit slowly.  As I worked, I found myself leaving more brushwork loose.  Is it too loose?  When in doubt, I walk away, to return with fresh eyes tomorrow. A special painting with a special story deserves only my best.  Painting number 2529 in 2529 days. 

Mahlia

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE painting children?  From graphite and ink to acrylic and oils, the possibilities are endless!  I forgot to post this commission when I painted it (in the thick of plein air season) so I'm doing it now.  Here, I have started with a white, slightly textured surface and painted her with acrylics.  This is the ONLY time I start with a white surface on my panels.  Only portraits in acrylic.  I prefer it due to the translucent nature of acrylics.  Even the heavy bodied do not seem as opaque as my oils when applied in the same way.  So, I start by pretty much saving my whites, and brushing in my darks.  The loose brush work only adds to the drama and impressionistic feel of the piece.  Another important part - I never thin down my acrylics.  Not with mediums and not with water.  I use a rather dry brush technique, only washing brushes when done.  I keep them in a damp paper towel between uses.  I know it sounds kind of crazy, but after many years of using acrylics, I get the best results this way.  Painting number 1845 in 1845 days. 

Walking in the Snow

Walking in the Snow
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

color block-in

Today finds me back to the figure work of the month.  It is SO much easier painting subjects that are 5 inches tall vs. the half inch size!  I still have trouble with the tiny ones!  I have included the color block-in, which was painted quickly (probably 30 -40 minutes).  When I went in to define and shape, I changed very little.  I did cool down the scene a bit, most likely because today is a cold and dreary day, and that mood has seeped into my painting!  This painting makes the 1178th in 1178 days.

Watering the Flowers - sketch

Watering the Flowers - sketch
pen and ink on paper, 5x6

After returning home from Michael's Academic Awards ceremony which immediately followed Alan's Second Grade Show, I am posting a vintage style pen and ink sketch of this woman tending her flowers.  I have an acrylic painting almost finished for my month of figure studies, but I am just too tired to tie up the loose ends.  I'll take care of that tomorrow.  This drawing makes the 1163rd piece in 1163 days.

Standing Together

Standing Together
Acrylic on masonite, 5x7

I am working on figures in acrylic this month, and this girl with her horse are first up.  I had sketched them in pen and ink a few days ago, so I am familiar with my subject before laying paint.  Without sketching anything onto my panel, I do the color block in, careful to keep the angles and values accurate.  Next, I start looking for those tiny spots of color that round out the forms.  Since I am working small - only 5x7 inches, my marks need to be spot on.  I keep the brushwork going with the shape of each form, upwards for foreground grass or following the muscles of the horse.  Trying to keep strokes fresh and loose, I stop painting when the shapes ring of truth.  So, I am letting this one rest for today, and I’ll take a look again tomorrow and see if it calls for adjustments.  This painting makes 1159 in 1159 days.  Now, onto the next figure!

color block in

Girl with Horse - sketch

Girl with Horse - sketch

Drawing is just like all other skills, if you don’t use it, you lose it.  I don’t normally do thumbnails, or sketches before I embark on  painting, and so I am doing so now in an effort to keep up with my daily drawing!  I am going to concentrate on figure work this month, and so here I have the figures of both girl and horse.  I will be using loose, impressionistic strokes when painting - which will be quite a contrast from the linear pen and ink sketch.  What will be a real plus though, is that I will thoroughly know my subject before painting.  I want to be able to effortlessly add figures in the landscape, where detail is at a minimum, and where the placement of the strokes show the movement.  It is something I need to strengthen, so it will be my focus - even though I may just slip a few other paintings in to break things up!  This drawing makes 1157 in 1157 days.

The White Bow

The White Bow
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

This little darling was my demo for this afternoon's painting class!  The granddaughter of one of my friends (and a student - though she was not in class today), her photo was on my desktop.   I used her to demonstrate how to lay in the values in black and white while using a color photo.  The emphasis is on using short, impressionistic strokes to define all the planes of the face, all the time getting those values correct.  As I work loosely, a likeness naturally develops. Once I feel her likeness captured - I step away from the brushes!  I want her to be fresh and lively, with plenty of those lush, impressionistic strokes visible. The more I paint these portraits - the more I love doing them! Painting number 1056 in 1056 days :)

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Another late hour at the easel - and it even looked like I might not get it in at all! Painting the grand-daughter of a friend, she is all peace and tranquility as she rests.  These sweet, dreaming faces are a joy to paint!  I have enjoyed concentrating on portraiture this month.  There is nothing like focusing on one subject to get me to hone in on all the specifics.  So fleeting can be the subtle color changes of the planes, sometimes seeing is the most difficult part.  But once that special sight has been achieved, it makes me wonder how I ever missed it.  It is so like the difference between warm and cool colors, and temperature changes make all the difference in a portrait.  Those subtle qualities give life to an otherwise two dimensional painting.   This painting makes 1054 in 1054 days.

Thoughtful

Thoughtful
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

Now that the season is becoming so busy, I am going to try to finish my painting early in the morning, before going to the gym.  So, getting up earlier than usual for just this reason, I found a few chores leaching into that time!  I still was able to lay paint - but I couldn’t finish before heading to Zumba.  It is VERY, VERY hard to stop painting when I am “in the zone”!  I did toy with the thought of missing the class........but decided against it.  The gym is also a habit I never break - unless I’m out of town painting.  I will just have to get up earlier, to ensure plenty of time to paint.  I have been painting so much in acrylics that I am actually going to have to get a new tube of titanium white!  These portraits are so rewarding to do, and I like pushing them towards impressionism or realism - whatever my mood of the day dictates.  I really do like using the Mars Black, it gives a vintage black and white feel to these paintings.  Thank you, Barb, for letting me paint your grand-daughter!!  Painting number 1053 in 1053 days.

Serious

Serious
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I totally forgot to take a photo of my color study on this one, which is done in the first 10 minutes of painting.  So, the very first layer is nothing more than a block in of shapes and planes, with no real definition of features like eyes, nose or mouth.  After my block in, I had to get to Michael's guitar lesson, so I didn't get back to this for quite a while.  Once I started laying down strokes, I worked on the planes of the face and hair - getting the shapes right before I narrowed down to mouth, nose and eyes.  I found I was getting very tight with the brushwork, and once again, I had to actively think of getting loose with that brush!  It is so natural for me to push right into realism, but this month is all about impressionism in the portrait - so I will persevere!  Painting number 1050 in 1050 days :)

Impressions of Kayla

Impressions of Kayla
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

It is funny how some days my strokes are very loose, and others - very tight!  I had to really make an effort to relax with my brush today.  This little darling is my cousin's daughter, and I am working from a photo I took a couple of years ago during a Christmas dinner.  I have started with the same 10 minute color study, and then just progressed from there.  I worked longer on getting the face planes right before starting much on the features - and it made it easier to get accurate placement of shapes.  Another thing different about working in this particular method - there is no use of mediums, not even water. Just straight heavy body acrylic paint and dry brushes, right up until I'm ready to wash the brush - then I can stick it in the water.  It truly does make for better results.  Painting number 1048 in 1048 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

Dreamland

10 minute color block in

Dreamland
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
sold

A childhood friend of mine had posted this darling photo of his daughter - and I knew I had to paint her!  Capturing such a sweet moment in a child’s life has been a joy!  I started with a 10 minute color block in, allowing this to dry while I ran errands.  As soon as I was back from the gym, I started right in with my brush work.  Using again the limited palette, I find these colors work so well together. There is such a wonderful color harmony  attained by using the limited palette!  I am finding that the gessoed surface is wearing at my new brushes, though.  I normally add a bit of acrylic gel medium to my gesso to allow the brushes to move more easily over the surface.  I just primed 10 other panels - and will be topping them off with some of the medium in a cross hatch fashion.  We’ll see if that helps.  I am loving the effect I am getting with the acrylics using short, impressionistic strokes!  Painting number 1044 in 1044 days.

The Glance

The Glance
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Yesterday’s block in was SO difficult!  I was really concentrating, thinking about each stroke - and it pushed me over the edge.  For this one, I simply relaxed and started blocking in masses loosely, trying NOT to think about what I was doing.  I paint SO much better when I disengage my brain!  The block in unfolded before me, and it really is easier to place all the features by working loose.  It is a sure way to get features right, and I don’t have a lot of time invested in areas, should I want to adjust their location.  I have never worked this way, so this is a big lesson to learn.  I let this dry completely, to await the next layer.  This allows for subsequent strokes to be simply removed with a damp paper towel, if desired.  I corrected some of the shapes in this layer, and tried to incorporate more color.  With so much dry brushing in this layer - it looks like I'll be scrubbing my new brushes away into dust!  Painting number 1041 in 1041 days :)

color block in

reference - Michaela 

Michaela - value study

Michaela - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I am hoping that one month of these 40 minute value studies will sharpen my portrait skills. Improving accuracy with speed, and injecting genuine mood that can be felt with spontaneous strokes, are just a couple of rewards I hope to glean from this one month of portrait concentration.  I feel I am already better understanding the application of the masses to create form, rather than the sketching out of the composition first - which is a big step for me, as I have deep, deep roots in linear work!  The real key to success here is to step outside of my box, open myself up totally to this new way of portrait technique, and throw myself in whole-heartedly!  Capturing the perfect likeness in 40 minutes still evades me, but I am going to work on that until it happens every time!  I did decide to leave out her hand, to strengthen the composition. Painting number 1039 in 1039 days.

A Smile While Sleeping

A Smile While Sleeping
Oil on panel, 6x6
not for sale

This little darling is the daughter of a friend who grew up in my son Tyler's class, and whose mother is a dear friend of mine.  She was born two months early, and today we celebrated her with a shower of gifts. Wanting to do something special, I searched through baby photos to find just the right one with such a sweet expression.  There is just somehing about babies that tugs at my heartstrings!  Baby Bryley's skin is so beautiful - and was a joy to capture in oils.  Wishing the whole family a lifetime of joy with this sweetheart!  Painting number 448 in as many days.

Michaela

Michaela
oil on panel, 8x10

This was such a busy day!  Starting with switching out art this morning, right to Zumba and piyo classes, and then to a day of shopping for a prom dress at the mall!  By the time I finally returned home, I didn't know what to paint.  I missed a plein air paint in the Jazz District, and returned home too late to make figure drawing.   I looked through some reference material, and since I have been studying portrait and figure work - I thought I would try my hand on another painting of my daughter.  (I think she is getting a little tired of me using her for a model...)  My focus on this one is attention to the colors of the planes of the skin, softening and diffusing the farther from the face.  I'm trying to accurately portray the hues that I see, concentrating on REALLY looking at the skin tones.  There is so much to this portrait painting! There are so many nuances of skin, it is all painting the light and how it falls on each plane. I worked a little longer on this one than I normally do on a daily paint, but that study time is time well spent - each stroke a lesson learned. This painting makes 445 in as many days.

By the Window

By the Window
Oil on panel, 8x10
Tri County mini-workshop

My youngest daughter modeled for the Tri County Art League today for a mini-workshop. I was showing the group the basics on drawing the figure - measuring constantly by holding your paintbrush out at arm's length, matching equal measurements and translating that to the panel.  Once the sketch was drawn, it was time for darkest darks and lightest lights.  Michaela was positioned with north light from the large bank windows on her, with wall just behind her - giving her a dramatic lighting.  The members progressed quickly - and many had good likenesses before leaving the meeting!  Michaela was a great model, keeping her pose for long periods with just a small break in between.  Since this was part of a regular meeting day - we only had and hour and a half to get down the basics.  Painting from life is just so much better than painting from a photo, somehow - life is breathed into a painting just by having the subject sitting in front of me.  This one makes painting number 443 in 443 days.  What do you think of the loose brushwork?  I kind of like it....not sure if I should tighten it up or not.....

Martice

Martice
Oil on panel, 11x14

This young lady was simply a delight to paint today!  She is just as sweet as can be, and was so patient as we constantly tried to talk her into ignoring her breaks.  Today's focus was temperature, so I kept this in mind as I worked.  Her hair was amazing - with cool light and cooler light reflecting from two separate sources, one more blue, the other pushing lavender.  The skin was truly a challenge.  I found myself seeing one color, looking more intently to see the others.  So much of the life of the painting is accurately seeing all the colors.  With each day, I am seeing more color temperature variations.  Just as with plein air painting outdoors, I can see many more colors when painting from life than I could from a photo.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I am really having fun with this workshop, really trying to push myself to explore the figure and portrait work, and paint more sensitively.  I brought this one home and worked on it a bit more, wanting to capture her sweet, gentle spirit with the oils.  The color is a bit off due to the nighttime lighting, so I'll try to take a better photo tomorrow. Painting number 423 in as many days :)

I can hardly believe that I have been selected as a featured artist in an article by the Missouri Arts Council titled Snapshots of the Missouri Arts Blogosphere!  This is SO exciting!  What an honor it is to mentioned with such amazing artists across the state!  Please go check out the article - there are some wonderful artists and their blogs mentioned.  You just might find a new favorite blog to follow!