Clear Skies Coming

 I feel like I've been running a race for days now - so I had the tiniest of painting windows.  Using that time for a quick oil study of the skies, I squint down to see the masses and hues, then start adding the color.  When I'm in a hurry, I don't even sketch out with paint - just a fast application of the media.  I want to focus more on cliudscapes this year, so the more practice, the better. Painting number 3372 in 3372 days. 

Audrey in Blue

I have always admired the grace and style of the iconic Audrey Hepburn.  Working on my portrait skills, I am playing with my blues.  Off of my palette for many years but making a new appearance - Prussian blue is my dominate blue here.  I did pull in some ultramarine blue with my ivory black and white titanium when defining the planes.  I am having so much fun on these portrait studies, I don't want to stop working!  I long to take deep dives into my process, but alas, Christmas is around the corner, and I'm being pulled in so many directions.  Painting number 2896 in 2896 days. 

Portrait Study in Black and White

On a weekend full of portrait study, it is so fun to try different colors and techniques!  Here I laid down the planes with ivory black and titanium white, adding the tiniest bit of ultramarine blue.  I arrived with my plein air set up, but am now wishing I had a few more soft brushes.  I use a lot of heavy duty workhorse brushes (Princeton Catalysts) in the field for my daily work, and only had a couple of Rosemary brushes in this box.  A softer, lighter brush is better for blending where desired. I find that I like leaving plenty of brushwork and strong strokes untouched.  This portrait journey is going to be SO FUN!  Painting number 2876 in 2876 days. 

Oak Study

purchase here

Feeling the need for more tree study, I set my sight on this old pin oak looming large on the lawn.  I tried something different on this small ATC sized study.  Instead of looking at my paper as I drew, I did not take my eyes from the tree, moving the pen where I could see the branches extending.  The result was a much truer reflection of the tree!  The process helped my bypass my brain's idea of a tree, instead just letting the pen jut out from the trunk.  I am certainly going to do this again!  Perhaps I just uncovered a secret for tree painting!  Lol!  Painting number 2580 in 2580 days.

Winter Redbud

purchase here

Some days are just full of plenty of things I'd rather not do.  So, I slipped out to the balcony to soak in a little sun.  Facing south, it is often warm and cozy, even in winter.  As the mintues ebbed away, I felt renewed and basked in the rural setting of my landscape.  My eyes rested on the trees again and again.  Well, why not sketch the trees as I enjoy this gorgeous day?  Grabbing the small sketch bag I used yesterday, I drew the lines of this old, knobby redbud tree.  My grandmother planted this whole row of them more than 40 years ago, and they have gnarled a bit with time.  With a little water I get those midtones, and I am back to the chores of my day.  Nothing more refreshing than a little sanity time!  Painting number 2576 in 2576 days. 

Artists Painting the Plaza in ink

Painting cars in the landscape has always been a challenge.  I tend to avoid them,  or better yet,  ignore them completely.  So,  they are my self imposed challenge of the week.  100 cars in one week.  I begin by drawing them,  because the media is less forgiving than paint.  I need to be held to the line!   Even though this is focused study,  I want it to be strong compositionally, not just 100 cars lined up hood to bumper.  What better place than the Country Club Plaza for an amazing backdrop for all the mundane cars?  I look at the shapes that make up each car individually,  and draw just that shape.  I start with front of car,  then the angles of hood and wheel,  next the roof,  finally the back,  treating it like I would a figure.  All figures are angles,  get the angles right and the figure is right.  It's a struggle,  but I'm hoping it will be a breeze by 100!  Drawing number 1536 in 1536 days :)

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 :)

Baby Alastair

Baby Alastair
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I really like painting these portraits using only black and white!  I set my timer for 40 minutes before I start, and when the time is up - I stop!  I mix as I go, and use no water at all until I am done with the painting - and then only to wash out my brush.  No medium is used with the heavy body acrylics, which allows the colors to be quite strong.  I am using short, impressionist strokes throughout - even for small areas like the pupils and iris of the eyes.  This really adds life and energy in a way straight, hard lines do not.  I am trying to do one black and white and one color portrait each day of this month - determined to master this technique quickly.  I am using filbert brushes - which I have never used (unless you count all of the brights and flats that I have worn down to filberts through the years!).  They make soft, rounded edges to the strokes, that flats simply wouldn't do.  Painting number 1043 in 1043 days.

Alan Smiles

Alan Smiles
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
value study - purchase here

I find that I really love painting these value studies in black and white!  The recommended black is Ivory Black, but I had several tubes of Mars Black - so that is what I am using.  I like the old black and white photo feel these paintings have - and I’m carrying them farther than just value studies.  I want them to stand alone as powerful paintings, with no need for color.  I want to paint one every day - and at 40 minutes each, that should be totally doable!   I do wonder if my strokes are loose enough on this one......This little darling is my oldest grandson, and I hope this painting does justice to his sweet, adorable soul!   Painting number 1042 in 1042 days.  I'm going to need to start photographing everyone I know just to keep up with my new habit.....!

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.

By the Window - pencil study

By the Window
Red pencil on tinted mi-teintes paper

I almost never use a waxy, colored pencil.  I don't care for the way they resist blending, and I have to use very different techniques with them.  But, I do LOVE the colors at my beck and call!  The vintage mood I can achieve with these waxy sticks is worth the extra trouble.  This drawing is a study for a painting I soon hope to start.  I first went to my tinted charcoals, but there is no venetian red color - not even close.  With the buttery ochre paper, I really wanted to use none other than venetian red.  So, waxy drawing pencil it was!  The tooth of the paper is also quite large, which is not nearly as noticeable when using graphite or charcoal.  Sometimes, I get a feeling of excitement for things yet unseen, while working on a piece.  I have felt that all through the process on this one.  I want to paint it a bit larger, so I will have to wait for a day with a few hours of working time to start.  This is actually my second work of the day.  I did a small oil painting of geraniums and marigolds in the front bed.  Once done, I decided I wasn't happy with it - so I started on this tonight.  Maybe I can fix it up for tomorrow's posting.  With an afternoon party by the pool tomorrow, I will not have much painting time!  This is artwork number 190 in as many days.

Old Tree in the Snow

Old Tree in the Snow
Oil on panel, 6x8

Today I am posting a quick work-up on a tree study.  Its a little loose and free, just trying to get an idea of where I want to go with it.  Many times, the main painting ideas will unfold right in front of me, pushing or pulling the values and colors to a new place.  I am working small - as I have SO MUCH on my plate right now!  I think I'll let this one rest today, and see what calls to me tomorrow.  I like the value depth in the trunk of the tree, and already feel a pull to sprinkle in a few more darks in the background to the right - for balance.  Fresh eyes tomorrow will tell me more :)