Cosmic Glow

 

What a gorgeous snow for a little pen and ink!  Cosmic Glow is another beauty from the Diamine Inkvent Calendar!  I think I'll need to do this one in oils, as well!  This ink is such a vibrant blue - there are so many uses for this ink!  I'm looking forward to exploring more of them! Painting number 5064 in 5064 days. 

Old Blue at the Shed

I LOVE finding these vintage tractors to paint!  Each one has a story to tell, and this one already hangs on a wall to tell it.  This tractor called to me from the first time I saw it, tucked beside an old shed.  Resting in the yard at my host home in Steelville, I saw this beauty early morning and night, until I finally had an opportunity to paint it.  It was lightly raining, so the shelter of a covered porch protected my ink and watercolor from running.  I really like the square format for this.  I've only used this format a few times, and I really like when it suits the scene so well.  Painting number 3828 in 3828 days. 

Serendipity at Home

Diamine's Serendipity ink is on my pen today!  I just HAD to take a break and get out there on such a gorgeous day!  I am taking a few liberties with my landscape, using my Artistic License with this rich blue ink.  It makes a lovely nocturne color, and I'm remembering the snow of just two days ago.  They never last long enough, and if I can't have snow to paint, a December day in the 60s will totally compensate!  Painting number 4138 in 4138 days. 

Audrey in Blue

I have always admired the grace and style of the iconic Audrey Hepburn.  Working on my portrait skills, I am playing with my blues.  Off of my palette for many years but making a new appearance - Prussian blue is my dominate blue here.  I did pull in some ultramarine blue with my ivory black and white titanium when defining the planes.  I am having so much fun on these portrait studies, I don't want to stop working!  I long to take deep dives into my process, but alas, Christmas is around the corner, and I'm being pulled in so many directions.  Painting number 2896 in 2896 days. 

Morning with Hogarth

What a treat to accept an invitation to paint dockside at Duckworth Steel Boats this morning!  Cold and breezy, I layered up and set my easel at water's edge.  The whole place was full of steel and tools, where many complicated paintings could be had.  I loved the way the W.T. Hogarth set in the scene, with colors playing on the water and the weathered dock at it's side.  Mostly cloudy, the sun popped out occasionally, illuminating the scene.  I worked quickly to get those colors, within the masses, looking again and again at my subject.  A complicated subject, I probably should have sketched it out first in ink.  I opted for drawing it on with paint, adjusting the lines where needed as I progressed.  Observation is the largest part of the work here, and I really enjoyed studying this beauty as the boat builders worked all around me.  How cool it has been to slip into this scene for the morning!  Painting number 2616 in 2616 days.

Blue City Market

The writing under the drawing demonstrates the normal ink color all would see using this Levenger Cobalt Blue in a fountain pen.  Once I've sketched my composition, I add a little water - and voila - the true color of this ink comes through!  I can remember the days of only drawing with the colored inks, and I found some of them lackluster.  But wow, how they come to life when diluted.  I've also found that sometimes when I LOVE the written color of an ink, the water added one is just two strong for drawing!!  Like a vivid splash of color, pulling all attention away from the subject matter!  Most times, I don't even share them, they are just TOO CRAZY!  Perhaps, I should sprinkle one in every once in a while, just to shake things up!  This Kansas City skyline was drawn from the City Market, looking south, and is painting number 1988 in 1988 days.

Miniature Cyclamen ATC

After a morning spent painting at Suburban Lawn and Garden, it was time for a little shopping!  I couldn't resist this bright pink miniature cyclamen in the shiny glazed blue pot!  Since I didn't have time to paint it at the nursery, I am painting it today, as I take care of necessary computer chores.  Each time I have to wait on something to load, I pick up my ink or brush and work on this little beauty, turning frustration into joy!  What fun to paint this cheerful little flower!  Painting number 1835 in 1835 days.  Now, back to my chores!

Sister Bay Barn in Watercolor

I've not used my watercolors for a while, and yesterday, I could have used them in the field.  So, today finds me filling in ink drawings with color!  Sometimes, I only have time for a sketch, which I can come back to later, if I choose.  This is one of my favorite journals, and I especially love the rough texture and how that paint glides over the surface.  The sizing is a little thick in this particular journal, so my watercolor brushes are far more effective than the brushpens.  When I use the brushpens, I need water handy to rinse out the gunk periodically.  I sketch in my line drawing with India ink, which is waterproof, and then follow with paint.  I'm using my watercolor confections for this.  They are small and can be slid in a pocket for in the spot plein air.  I almost never get out my Daniel Smith's now, strictly due to the convenience.  I'm having so much fun, I think I'll do another!  Painting number 1768 in 1768 days.

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Red, White and Blue

As I settle into watching the election results, I have gathered together a few of my friends for a little still life.  Since I have many wine glasses, the combinations are endless!  I didn't have long to wait to vote, and am happy I was able to do my civic duty.  Grandma Bessie once told me, if you don't vote, you can't complain!   This painting is the 1398th painting in 1398 days :)

oil on panel, 5x7
purchase here

Ophelia

This sweet little kitten has certainly been a challenge!  I have babied her like no other kitten, just to get her healthy.   She has finally turned a corner and is improving every day, so, today I paint her!   Once skittish, she now revels in attention and is constantly too close to paint!   As she settled down, I "ignored" her, so that she would stay at a distance that I could actually paint her from!  This quick painting is loose and rather wild, and is my 1397th painting in 1397 days :)

Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Riesling for Two

I have always been drawn to cobalt blue glass!  The vivid color is so rich, especially when light plays with the surfaces.  I grabbed a couple of my favorite wine glasses and a bottle of riesling for this still life, and had most of it painted before dinner.  Michaela returned home from college just in time to go with me to a sorority event, and then I finished the last few strokes on this painting.  I feel like I am getting faster than ever at putting in paint what I see before me!  Painting number number 1384 in 1384 days. 

oil on panel, 5x7
purchase here

Hydrangea on the Lawn

Hydrangeas on the Lawn
Oil on panel, 6x6

The sweeping expanse of lawn beckoned to me as I painted these hydrangea earlier.  I had to return, to paint the more complete view!  The light and the cool weather made this a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I think that reflects in the painting.  I can always recall the day in detail, whenever I look back at my plein air paintings.  Each day is a gift, and one I would like to share.  Painting number 1270 in 1270 days :)

Blue Hydrangea

Another long day spent working in the flower beds - until I was chased inside by some invisible little biters in the evening!   Time to take up my brushes and paint!   So, the blue hydrangea is today's focus.  I love these blooms and add a different variety each year.  They do remind me of Door County - where I've seen the largest blooms ever!  I used mainly a brush for this small painting, finishing it off with my catalyst - which I found in my brush holder for my french easel!   So glad it's not lost!   When I took the photo of the painting on the easel, it struck me that this whole scene would make a lovely painting!   Perhaps, I'll tackle it tomorrow!   Painting number 1260 in 1260 days.

Blue Hydrangea
Oil on panel, 7x5
purchase here

Clouds of May

Clouds of May
Oil on panel, 6x6
purchase here

Whenever there is a cloud show in the sky - I can hardly wait to get to my easel!  The formations are ever changing and irresistible!  I am focusing on the subtle color changes, and applying the paint with only a couple of brushes.  The definition of the distant hedgerow and the meadow are loose, and with soft edges.  The dogs look up at me on the balcony - and don’t know what I’m doing!  So far, the cats have not found me.  That little Wesson just jumped on the lid of my open palette two days ago - and lucky for him, he didn’t pick up any of the paint!  He is notorious for jumping onto easels, and I must be on my guard!  This painting makes the 1232nd in 1232 days :)

Watercolor Forsythia

Watercolor Forsythia
Watercolor on paper, 5x7

The forsythia are almost out of bloom for another year, and I am painting this one on the lawn in watercolor on paper block.  I prefer these watercolor paper blocks to all other paper!  Perhaps because they are so easy to use in the field, they stand firmly on the easel with no taping to another board.  When the painting is dry, I simply slip a plastic palette knife in the opening between the sheets, and separate the top one from the block.  Very handy indeed, and they do not buckle - which is something I despise!  This painting is the 1198th in as many days.

Hyacinth in Pink and Blue

Hyacinth in Pink and Blue
Watercolor on paper, 5x7

I have some amazing hyacinth that return every spring, bursting with blooms.  They are in a flower bed far from the house, and one that is now mostly raspberries - and still they pop up with very little care from me!  I love the smell of them - and each spring, the blooms fill the house with their sweet fragrance.  Tonight, these blooms are in front of me, sitting in a tall, slim, crystal vase.  I have decided to zoom in on them, concentrating on the colors and abundant flowers radiating from the stalks.  I’m letting the whites define the space between blooms, I like the way the paint melts into the paper, some edges soft while others are hard.  I am really enjoying this return to watercolors, if only for a little while, as plein air season soon arrives!  Painting number 1186 in 1186 days.

Yellow Daffodils

Yellow Daffodils
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

In the watercolors again today, I am painting loose and allowing the colors and water to work their magic.  Every painting is a lesson, and this one is a lesson on how to make 140lb paper work like 300lb.  It takes more work and planning when working with lighter weight paper, but I am trying to make the most of it.  I must work faster, because that paper absorbs and dries more quickly.  I must be careful not to overwork an area, because the lighter paper will not stand up to much brushwork.  This paper does have some texture, but I prefer more.  I have so little time for painting during spring break with al the kids home!  I find I am painting into the wee hours again!  This painting is the 1182nd in 1182 days. 

Blue Umbrella Cafe

Blue Umbrella Cafe
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

Oh my gosh!  This was such a challenge!  I think cafe scenes with people, chairs and umbrellas are SO HARD to paint successfully, and I really want to master this - so it is my subject du jour!  I started with my block in, and I had to keep correcting shapes and angles all through the process.  I had trouble seeing each plane as it really was.  With such a complicated composition, my left brain kept feeding me all of this linear information, which was completely wrecking my “painting all the masses” method.  I am not yet happy with this, but I have to start somewhere.  I will look at it again tomorrow.  I already think I need to pop all the lights, and loosen some of the edges on the main umbrella.  I think I’m going to need to paint a month’s worth of cafe scenes before I get them right.....and I’m already dreading the work.  Oh why didn’t I draw butterflies in pen and ink today?  I should have listened to my inner voice!  Grueling painting number 1170 in 1170 days.

Clouds Over the Road

Clouds Over the Road
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4

Another warm, beautiful day!!  I was driving Michael to his guitar lesson recently, when this glorious scene spread out before us!  We are on high ground when we cross over the highway, and so often a glorious sky requires my immediate attention!  This sky scene is one of four I painted late one evening, when I was completely in the zone!  I simply MUST take advantage of such times!  I did tweak the road a bit after I thought I was finished, pushing in a slight curve for a better composition.   Artistic license is a wonderful thing! I was in such a hurry today, that I did not even stop to prime my canvas before painting!  That is what happens when I can't keep ahead of myself!  Painting number 1144 in 1144 days.

Moody Skies

Moody Skies
Oil on masonite, 6x6

As I went about my busy day, this painting was floating around in my head!  The cold front was moving in, bringing with it such beautiful, dark clouds!  Seeing such beauty, and being unable to get right to it with my paints, stirs something up in my soul - like an urgency that simply must be met!  When I finally made it to my easel, I had already planned out the masses in my head.  It is like I had already painted it in my mind, and all the brush had to do was follow what was in my memory.  I’ve read how menial tasks and mindless chores really are supposed to heighten later artistic expression.......perhaps there is some truth to it?  Who knows, but I was in such a hurry, I didn’t even prime my panel as I normally do!  Painting number 1137 in 1137 days.