Still life simple

Painted January 9th, 2016. Oil on board, 5x7. Available via Etsy.

Lemons in blue, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 x 5/8 in. I’ve been reading “Oil Painting Essentials” by Gregg Kreutz, and one mantra from this book has lodged in my brain: “Make light the main event.” To me, this is a huge point. When I first started painting, I thought that paintings were like photos. In photos we usually focus on a subject, and we don’t necessarily think much about light and shadow (check out how many still life photos on Pixabay have no shadows!). My paintings were all about the…

Learn how to find the right objects and the best ways to set up a successful still life composition, including how to plan the lighting. Then learn the steps to get ready to sketch, draw, or maybe even paint it.

Poppy and pitcher, oil on canvas panel, 8 x 10 in.Whenever I feel bad about my lack of skill in painting, and my best efforts fall painfully short of the visions in my head, I remind myself of what Kelli Fulsom said in one of her YouTube videos: “Make as many crappy paintings as fast as you can, one right after the other, so you can get better faster.” This quote has meant a lot to me over my painting journey, and I keep coming back to it. It helps me to remember the bigger picture. My…