Dragonflies and Bamboo

Dragonflies and Bamboo
Chinese brush painting on paper, 12x18

Today I am totally out of my box with Chinese brush painting and sumi ink!  Our guest instructor for the Tri-County Art League meeting was Valda Hsu, and she had a wonderful demo!  I have taken one other workshop in this technique - years ago, but she her method was more descriptive - and I was able to absorb so much more this time.  I came home with pages of strokes and flowers, bamboo, butterflies and dragonflies, fireworks and leaves.  Using single strokes to make each mark, the way one composes these marks - makes the painting.  This was very informative - and so fun to soak up another culture with this ancient painting style!  Painting number 914 in 914 days.

Vintage Peonies

Vintage Peonies
Oil on masonite, 12x18
purchase here

The day started off with a great piyo strength class - made challenging by using the heaviest kettle bell I have ever used!  My back is already feeling it!  Next, I was right off to Alan's boy scout Pinewood Derby - where his car came in 3rd place, and his little brother's came in first of the "friends and family" category (since he is too young to join, yet)!  The snow started falling earlier than predicted, and the cars and roads were covered before the race was over.  After a quick lunch out with Mike, it was home to get busy on my weekly theme of peonies.  I am in a nostalgic mood today, and that is flowing right through my brush and onto the panel!  In painting each petal, I have used the brushstroke to move the paint to the form, curving as the petal curves.  It is important to accurately paint where the light hits, as well as where the shadow forms - for this entirely shapes the flower.  As I work, I already have the next two paintings working itself out in my mind.  I have had a whole afternoon of uninterrupted working time - amazing!  Michael and Michaela have been on the other side of the state today for the Vex State Competition, where Michaela's team won the Excellence Award, and Michael's team placed first. Great day for all family members for winning competitions!  The weather is so bad though, that the kids have to find a place to stay overnight, as the bus driver thinks it is too hazardous to get home.  Painting number 791 in 791 days.

Blush of Red

Blush of Red
Oil on panel, 12x18
purchase here

Today, I am working on a special project!  I will be painting two special pieces for a new home, and I am doing a few paintings to scale - which will be large.  One will be 4 ft by 6ft, and the companion piece will be 2 ft by 3 ft.  So, with color swatches from the designer and a clipping of a style of work - I start first with sketches.  The gears start turning immediately, with different images coming to mind - and these are what I want to put down in oils.  Once I have worked out the initial paintings, I will have several choices to choose from, all in the same theme.  Peonies may just be my favorite flower, and I have many of them int he yard.  From white to pink, to deep red - they smell as glorious as they look.  With their many, many petals, they are rather complicated to get down in paint!  I start with a sketch on wood, then fill in with my lights and darks, next working to the mid-tones.  The background is a blend of some neutrals, white, and grey - pulling in some of the colors on the swatches, and some blue to cool off all the warm shades.  There is quite a bit of palette knife work for texture and to add more interest throughout.  We are expecting some accumulating snow this weekend - so perhaps I will get some quality painting in while I am home-bound!  This painting makes 790 in 790 days.  I am almost to the big 800 number!!  I never thought I'd be here just over two years ago :)