Friday, August 27, 2010

Missing in Action and searching for color!

Oh My!

I did not mean to neglect my blog for so very long. I have been working, but not (unfortunately) on painting. As you may or may not know, my husband is in a wheelchair and my son does not drive so many errands fall exclusively in my lap. If I am not going to get a good 8 hours or more to devote to painting, I have to wait until another day.

Recently what I have been working on is needle felting - my other area of expertise. I've been doing a number of experiments and often, as I work with the fiber, I find myself pondering the same artistic puzzles that I ponder while painting.

Color is a puzzle to which one can devote a lifetime! There is such a difference between seeing a color and then trying to reproduce it in paint especially if the color in question is significantly modified by its environment.


Colors are changed by shadows and reflected color. I do have a theory of the color of shadows and most of the time it is extremely effective and accurate. It's an alchemist theory: 1 part science and 1 part magic. The color of a shadow is a darker color of the object IN shadow modified by the complimentary color of the object CASTING the shadow. Knowing that doesn't make finding the color on my palette easy. It does make it interesting.

The parts of my iris that are in shadow are devilishly interesting to resolve and I have not quite resolved them. I go through a process of refining. Approximating the color and then searching for that "magic", that unexpected combination which not only realizes the color itself but breathes life into the subject. 

It's puzzles such as these that make me grateful for the Impressionists study of how we see. Knowing that by getting two colors close to one another, the viewer will transform them into more than if the two colors were blended into one. The Impressionists made use, on a very grand scale, of human need to resolve what we see. I do the same thing, but on a very small scale so small that the viewer is probably not aware that I have purposely made use of their eyes to complete my painting. 

It is my plan for the day to get back into the studio and paint!! My mini-van is in the shop for repairs so I cannot go anywhere which will allow me the pleasure of going where I like the most - into the art!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Dancing with the Canvas

I love when that happens! I like to listen to music when I paint and there are times when the music, my brushes and the canvas all dance together!! It is such a nice experience that I was oblivious to the fact that sweat was running down my face and the studio was sweltering. Eventually it does catch up to me. I'm going to be very tired for the rest of the day.

Finished the rough in and have started refining the painting. I have no idea how long it will take. Every painting decides for itself.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

This is more like it!

I wasn't painting this past week because I was working on a needle felting class. That finished, I could get back to painting.

I wasn't quite sure what I had in the way of canvases. Found several, one in my favorite size (30" x 40") and by Fredrix! Yay. Did my informational sketch and am not working on the rough in. Oh how nice to be working on a canvas that allows you to push the paint around!!


Tons to do still. I wanted to work longer, but the temperatures are reaching the upper 80s and with the studio lights higher and I have no AC.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Bazinga!! - that's 25% off!

I've been super busy and should have gotten this posted by noon today.

Both my oil painting classes "Introduction to Oil Painting" and "Oil Painting - Trillium" are available on CraftEdu.com for 25% off until noon tomorrow - the 5th!


I hope to start another painting this week but currently I'm working on a needle felting class - it's always something! ;)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Day three!

No brushes died - not even close! Just a few more things to do on the final layer and this one will be done.


Strange background for me - but I think it works.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Day two!

Was working on finishing up my Trillium oil painting class for CraftEdu.com so didn't get to paint day before yesterday. Yesterday was more work on the class and a trip to the store before the cats starved! Was very glad to finally get to paint today!! Yay!!


Still a lot of work to be done, but I'm satisfied with the progress I made today!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

New project

Brushes died and I'm tired! This is another of those "thirsty" canvases do a lot more work is needed to get the paint onto the canvas and where I actually want it!

Just the rough in so far: