Santa in his Sleigh - miniature

Santa in his Sleigh
Oil on canvas, 4x4 - gallery wrapped

This nostalgic Christmas scene is one more in my "12 Santas of Christmas"!  I find that I am migrating to stronger color in these little paintings.  I am still using the square canvases, and the big plus is that they fit nicely on the tiny easels.  The painting continues off all four sides, so it is rather dimensional as it sits on display.  I did underestimate how long it would take the oils to dry, though!  The first one painted on Saturday is STILL wet!  Every day is now filled with SO many activities - I don't know how I will get them all done!  I am rising earlier and staying up later.......there will be time for sleeping after the first of the year!  Painting number 718 in 718 days :)

Feeding Blitzen - miniature

Feeding Blitzen
Oil on canvas, 4x4
purchase here

I am planning on painting 12 different Santas for the Twelve Days of Christmas - and this is number 3!  Here, Old Saint Nick is feeding his beloved Blitzen.  Although I prefer the predictable surface of the wood panel, I am getting accustomed to the woven canvas.  I first prime them with a little gesso, acrylic paint to tint, combined with some water-based sealer.  Once this layer is dry, I can start the sketch, filling in with the oils.  For these minis, I have chosen an unusual tint - warm, bold yellow!  Wanting a color that all others would "pop" against led me to this choice.  I like it!  It is a crazy choice, but I think it gives the whole painting a warm glow where it peaks through the other layers.  This reindeer was particularly fun to paint!  Love laying on that thick fur! Painting number 716 in 716 days - and Christmas is just around the corner!  Yikes!

Shhhhh! - miniature

Shhhhh!
Oil on canvas, 4x4
sold

Caught with his bag of goodies - Santa doesn't want us to spoil his surprise!  Painting first in oils, today - I was able to finish two more "Santa" pieces.  I've been in such a productive mood, that I even went on to finish a commission - I think!  I'll give it a look with fresh eyes in the morning, just to be sure!  My parents will be here on Saturday, so I am chipping away at my long "to do" list every day until then.  The Christmas season has me wanting to paint all things Christmas each day until then, and this year, the "Santas" have really grabbed my focus!  These paintings are small - only 4x4 inches, so it is pretty challenging to get that detail in, while still using fresh and loose brushwork.  Since I am burning the midnight oil tonight, I guess I had better move on to the next item on my list!  Painting number 715 in as many days :)

Father Christmas - miniature

Father Christmas - miniature
Oil on canvas, 4x4
sold

With a very long list of things to accomplish within the week, I am now buckling down and working like a machine!  Starting with this vintage style Father Christmas, I sketched three of these today.  I am painting on little canvases, and have the easels to match.  Laying the paint on with Gamblin's solvent free gel - hoping this will increase the drying time for Christmas!  I will also spray these with fast drying oil medium, which will also help.  I know that I should have used acrylics with the time crunch, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it!  I have also finished the second, and am moving onto a third - with a Christmas party to attend when Mike gets home!  I think I'll get ready now, and paint right up until the last minute!  Painting number 714 in 714 days.

Santa Over the Homeplace

Santa Over the Homeplace
Acrylic on panel, 6x4

On this Christmas Eve, Santa Claus  and his tiny reindeer have been spotted over our home!  Here they are - complete with snow on the ground and a cold winter's night!  Still some wrapping to do, and some tags to write, so I'm making this quick on this Christmas Eve night!  Painting number 352 in 352 days.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Santa Sleigh Ride

Santa Sleigh Ride
Oil on canvas, 8x6

We have a lovely snow on the ground - so it looks like we are going to have a white Christmas!  Today, my routine was completely off schedule, and it was late before I found a "painting window".  Looking for something a little vintage, I thought a reindeer and sleigh might be a nice platform for today's Santa.  Somedays the paint just flows from the brush, but today was not one of those days.  With so much on my mind, and so little sleep as of late, I had to work a little harder.  I will probably touch this up tomorrow - painting number 351 in 351 days :)

Checking his List

Checking his List
Oil on panel, 8x6

Today was a fun day spent with family at my Aunt Diana's house.  So beautifully decorated - as always, her home was the perfect backdrop for a wonderful dinner.  After such a special day, I arrive home still stuffed to the gills and ready for a little down time to work in my painting.  In keeping with the Santa Claus theme of the last few days, here is a close up.  Loose and impressionistic with the strokes - this is a fun, nostalgic capture of Santa checking his list - and checking it twice!  I wonder who has been naughty or nice!  Painting number 350 in 350 days!