Monday, April 27, 2015

Tulips Series - 5

The last one - at least for now, as I really loved painting these pretties! I must say, trying to keep the colors pure when working in oils is really difficult and compared to acrylics where you can just start over in 20 mins - it is a whole other world. I really like the jar on this painting but the tulips are disappointing to me. They look, well, painted, and not in a  good way. Onward we go... still waiting for the real tulips to appear outside and for spring to make an entrance.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tulip Series - 4


Still struggling with the values of dark and light I think the background could have been lighter and that may have popped the tulips forward. This one was also in acrylics. Tomorrow - back to oils for the grand finale.



Friday, April 24, 2015

Tulips Series - 3

This attempt was on canvas board instead of the gessoboard I usually use. I will not be changing to canvas anytime soon. The rough surface is difficult - especially with a miserly paint user like me. I think the vase has good colors even if it is tilted slightly and the tulips colors are darker but the form is good.


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Tulip Series - 2

And on we go with the tulips. Deciding the oils were to blame I gave it a try with acrylics. I must say, acrylics have a lot of forgiveness that oil paints must only dream of. This painting is much looser and I like that but the coposition lacks smoothness and is a bit more choppy than I had planned. The colors are much more vibrant and more happy spring-like.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Tulip Series - 1

Because spring is playing hard to get this year, I brought it here to me! There is a marvelous artist named Patti Mollica and she has a DailyPaintworks tutorial   titled Painting Fast, Loose and Bold with two beautilful tulips as the subjects. Even thgouth Patti painted this demo in acrylics I decided to try it in oils. This is the result. Muddy looking and blah. Kinda like this Minnesota spring. I am going to comtinue painting this one until I improve or give up or both.


Monday, April 20, 2015

Shady Apple

Trying, as always to get my values and shading correct, I did this sketch in pencil of an apple. It looks 2D to me and while not very dramatic for an apple, it works as a drawing. Not dealing with colors can be so liberating.






Saturday, April 18, 2015

A Million & One Uses

Yes. Mundane. Everyday item. But I really think they are pretty those binder clips. Expect to see more of these in my paintings! The background color is not right and I think that made me want to toss this painting. What should I have used instead? Well, I hope to figure it out, for now I have no clue. 




Thursday, April 16, 2015

Dena's Bowl and Green Grapes

My sister gave me this bowl for Christmas and I think it will be in many more paintings to come. It gives a great reflection factor. I like the suggestion of reflection in this painting but I can see I need to work on the slight color variations in my shadows to make the reflection more realistic. 








Visitor

The painting today is from a great photo my husband took of a bald eagle that was eating a fish on the river by our home. He did a great job capturing the visitor and I knew I just had to paint one of his photos. I like the composition in this painting and how the lightest light is close to the darkest dark. I like the lines of the water and sand that seem to move your eye around and back into the eagle's face. I am happy with this rendering.


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Double Bag It

Yesterday and today's paintings are brown bags from a Daily Painter Challenge. I like the shape and colors of both bags but I wish the shading would have been cleaner and more value orientated. Shading correctly is something I struggle with - but you know what they say? Practice makes perfect!





Friday, April 10, 2015

Mango

My favorite fruit. What I wish I would have done differently? the composition. The shadow looks off because the mango is too close to the front of the painting. I think I just wanted it close to me.



Thursday, April 9, 2015

Kristina's Other Love

And yes, they were covered in delicious homemade maple syrup... just the way she likes them! What I like about this painting is the color of the plate and the shadows on the butter. I struggled with the right look and color of the cakes but ended up liking that you can probably tell they are pancakes. Were they funner to paint or eat? Hmmm ... Both.



Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Ugly Fruit

I said I would post even the ugly paintings ... and I am keeping my promise! I don't even know where to start - suffice to say it has bad coloring on the surface... terrible shadow and then I gave up. Oh, and in case you didn't know, this is a lemon.




Peanut Butter and Jelly #1

Ah yes... my first and hopefully not even close to the last PB&J.I love the background wallpaper more than the sandwich. I feel the bread is pretty blah looking...second one will be better.






Friday, April 3, 2015

Pear

I thought I was going a little crazy with the red on this pear, but it is now the thing I like about it. The liveliness of the colors makes me feel happy. Colors just have a way of doing that don't they? 




Thursday, April 2, 2015

Ice Fishing

I often google for ideas, inspiration and how to's. I was googleing the other day and found the most wonderful photo of a boy ice fishing. The photographer is named Pierre Contant and he was generous in allowing me to paint this photo he took of his son. I think his photo evokes a lot of good feeling for me and I loved painting it. Pierre is a gifted photographer and I encourage you to view his site by clicking here.


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

My Best



My Painting a Day challenge has officially begun! It is only fitting to post a painting of "My Best." My best fan, my best encourager, my best critic, my best frozen pizza maker and most of all, my best friend: My husband.  This painting catches the essence of him and his likeness is there because I can sort of see our daughter when I look at the face. Thank you "my best" for being the best.