Toy Boat Regatta - Oil

Toy Boat Regatta - Oil

10x8, oil on board

Painting 12 of 30:  I like this little scene because of the colors of the water that graduate from dark blue at the top, down to the sandy color at the bottom...and of course I like the cute little toy boats gliding about....and of course, the boat reflections.  Come to think of it, I just like the whole darn thing!  And best of all...painting with oils didn't drive me crazy today!

WIP:  This one below will be a larger version (12x16 unframed, probably 16x20 framed) of "Little Red" which was a small pastel painting I completed a couple years ago.  I've had a hard time selling some of the paintings I really like and this is one of them.  But, my walls are filled...so this one will be sold, eventually.  First, a quick sketch...

Then a little work on blocking in the masses and working a bit on the first couple layers.

Sunbathing Trio - Pastel

Sunbathing Trio - Pastel

6x6, soft pastel

Painting 10 of 30 - Sunbathing Trio in pastel...ok, done with onions for a good long time!  On to finishing Sunset Sail.

WIP:  Sunset Sail

Below are the first three steps on another larger piece titled "Sunset Sail" that I've been working on the past week.   I started with a very saturated bold underpainting...we'll see how it goes!

I'm getting there (or, I will get there come hell or high water).  This is what is often called "the ugly stage".  Where things are sort of coming together, but deep inside you wonder if you shouldn't trash it!  Layering, layering and more layering of pastel to eventually get to the mood I'm looking for....maybe that vibrant underpainting was a bit too much!  We'll see.

Sunbathing Trio - Oil

Sunbathing Trio

6x6, oil on board

I tried...really I did.  I logged onto YouTube and watched an oil painting video as I proceeded to paint my three little onions above.  I listened closely to every single instructional detail.  I bought the paints recommended and the ingredients to make my own mixing medium.  I decided on a subject matter that wasn't too complex and selected my board, brushes and palette colors I would use. 

I started the video and listened intently and followed the instructor's detailed steps on how to pre-mix all the colors I would use (at least most of them I would use)....but, somewhere along the way I broke formation.  In general, I have a hard time following someone else's steps...especially if they're time-consuming.   

Eventually, (once I get bored or I see a potential shortcut) my creative side defies authority in any form and I just start muddling through a painting on my own.  I'm a terrible student!  Even though I know perfectly well the instructor is a much better artist than I am and has valuable information to share.  If ONLY I would listen with patience and follow directions!

True to form, my poor little onions were left to suffer the consequences of my actions. I made mistakes. I got a little frustrated. And, I bumped and bumbled my way through it and then cried "uncle".   Oh well...there's always tomorrow!

Peaceful Morning

Peaceful Morning

12x16, soft pastel

Day 5 of 30...this is the finished larger piece.  No oil painting today...just enjoying this one for a bit then on to the next larger piece!

Warm Sail - Pastel

Warm Sail

6x6, soft pastel

Day 2 of the 30 in 30...the same boat as yesterday only this time in pastel.  I like the warmth of the sails lit by the sunlight beyond the trees.

WIP below: I continue to work on the larger piece "Peaceful Morning".  I've painted it twice before...no, three times before in different sizes.  I love this particular boat scene because its just so peaceful to look at and I want it on my walls (eventually if I don't sell it first).  Below is a shot of a closeup...notice the smudge on the back wall of the boat?  That's an example of what NOT to do while  painting with pastels.  Sometimes I will blend with my fingers in certain areas and for this piece I like the waters blended a bit...but using fingers is hazardous.  If there's pastel dust on them, going over a light section like the railing here can result in a fingerprint....(I like to leave my mark on a painting...but not my fingerprint).  Fortunately, a harder pastel such as a Nupastel applied lightly over the smudge can "erase it away".  Interesting that the colors in the painting above are very similar to the one I'm working on below.

Maddie's Bowl of Lemons

Maddie's Bowl of Lemons

6x6, soft pastel

I've owned this bowl of lemons for years (yes, they are fake lemons).   Over the years, setting "fake fruit" out in a bowl as part of a savvy decor item became passé.   So of course, I eventually quarantined my beautiful fake fruit to the pantry where they've sat gathering dust for many years.  I've discarded or "donated" most of the fruit except the lemons.   

These three lemons are actually priceless to me.  Not because they are realistic (which they are).  But they're priceless because one day, when my adorable grand-daughter Maddie was quite small (probably 1 1/2 yrs. old), she climbed up onto the breakfast table when I wasn't looking and decided she'd help herself to a lemon...or two.  I imagine she was quite surprised when she tried to bite into a couple of them without success.  If you look closely you can actually see the teeth marks she left behind.  Oh, Maddie...you still make me smile!!!

Honey and Sugar

Honey and Sugar

6x6, soft pastel

This is a fun little piece to go with some of the other food related paintings I've done lately for the Sept. 30in30 Challenge. I didn't have a specific theme this time,  just painting whatever comes to mind.  Honey and sugar...what could be sweeter? 

Sweet Treat

Sweet Treat

6x6, soft pastel

Most artists paint fruit.  I suppose it's because we typically have fruit in the house and they provide great color for a still life piece.  With just the right lighting, a piece (or pieces) of fruit can glow.  These seedless green grapes were doing just that...glowing from the sunlight.  I'm not particularly proficient at painting fruit...but they sure are fun to try.