Just Peachy

Just Peachy

7.5"x 11.5" oil on canvas

This was another fun one!

The peaches were a lot easier to paint than the plate, which still has some issues...
I have been working on putting the paint down and leaving it alone, rather than dab, dab, dabbing until everything turns into mud. I managed to get some of those bold brush strokes on the fruit. It felt really good.

I made some changes...

I made a little adjustment to the reflections of the red boat and white boat. I was trying to figure out why the blue boat's reflection worked, but the others didn't. I think it was because the reflections of the red and white boats were too close in color to their floating counterparts. The lights needed to be a wee bit darker, and the darks needed to be a wee bit lighter. There is a rule there, but I cannot remember for sure... I'll have to look it up.

Oh! and I goofed on the post below... I meant to say the blueish boat to the left, not the right. Oops.

Hmmm... The red boat seems to have its nose on the dock... I'll have to paint it again sometime and see if I can make it sit on the water where it is supposed to be.

Oh! I love painting boats!!!

Port Townsend Boats
7.5"x11.5" oil on canvas

This summer, before school started for Brad, we took a trip to the Olympic Peninsula for a bit of camping and sightseeing. We stayed right outside of Port Townsend the first night, and I got a load of great boat reference photos. I love painting boats on the water. Reflections are fun!

I started this painting last night and finished it this afternoon. I just couldn't stay away from it. The reflection of the blueish boat on the far right is my favorite bit.

All in all, I had loads of fun with this one.

National Talk Like a Pirate Day... I forgot till just now

Kamiak Barn
5"x7" oil on canvas

Well. I ended up on the dark side of the barn. Next time I will chose a spot that shows the light and shadow of the thing. Funny how I was on the dark side, but everything is a little washed out. The darker streak to the left of the barn looks like a shadow, but it was a streak of grass and small shrubs.

It was an interesting little barn that looked pretty much like a rectangle planted on sloping wheat fields. I was reminded why it is so important to mix the colors that are there, because this does not look like the scene I saw... except for the barn and the trees from Kamiak Butte. The light was gorgeous but faded fast. Next time I'll catch it!

This would have been a wiper, but I had fun doing it. And it was the first plein air painting I've done in ages. I like it by default.

And in case you other land lubbers out there be forgettin the greatest day o' th' year- today was indeedy National Talk Like a Pirate Day! So get out there and swash some buckles, batten down the hatches, and don't let your peg legs get tangled up in yer eye patches! Aaargh!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish.

Today's painting was another wiper.

I learned something though! A decent painting has to start with a decent composition. I started by just slapping a pear right smack dab in the middle of the canvas and was frustrated with it from start to finish.

Tomorrow I will redo the painting, this time with a plan.

Painting in a hurry

Bud Vase
4.5"x6.5" oil on canvas

Today I have to pack to go away for the weekend with the family, so I didn't think I would have a lot of time to paint. I doodled. It was fun. Not my norm, but hey, its good to try something different once in a while.

Day 3- Three's company

Hothouse Tomatoes
4"x6" oil on canvas

I had fun painting these tomatoes. I love the crinkly crackly stem sticking out there. The sticker on the tomato is a favorite as well.

This painting was challenging in many ways- mostly its size. It was difficult to get all those colors into such a small space. I am happy with the outcome though. Somehow, seeing it in a photo makes it seem more polished.

Funny how doing something you love can provide so much peace. I am blissing out- I got to paint again today!

Day 2- Ick

Today's painting was a wiper. My drawing abilities have decomposed somewhat. That was evident in yesterday's tomato. It was a little skee-whompus.

Well, here is an opportunity to improve!
Must move on.

Day 1- Beginning Again

Mater Plate
5"x6" oil on canvas

Well here it is - my first painting in almost two years. My arm, wrist and fingers creaked as they tried to maneuver over the canvas in ways that were once so familiar. The final result is better than I thought it would be after such a long break. I spent the rest of the day in bliss because I actually got to paint!

The lip of the plate is my favorite part. It really seems to show its weight.