Pink Rose and Bud

Pink Rose and Bud
Oil on wood panel, 6x6
purchase here

Today, I am working with my palette knives.  I have five different ones out - all metal, and different shapes.  After sketching my composition, I start scraping in paint - the shadow color of the roses first.  I apply the alizarin crimson paint lightly on this first layer,  then lay the light pink over it - starting at the edge of the petal and working towards the base of the flower.  This leaves a very cool petal shape!  Next, I fill in the background before laying in the leaves, darks first and then light. Finally, I pull in some petal color on the leaves, and some leaf color on the petals for a little color harmony.  I watched an artist use newspaper to wipe her knives off with - and I tried that today.  It worked better than paper towels! This painting makes 919 in 919 days.  Now - I'm off for a little dress shopping with my girls :)

Pink Rose Trio

Pink Rose Trio
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
purchase here

I squeezed this painting in between the gym and taking Michael to his guitar lesson, along with umpteen other chores.  Fully intending to get to Overland Park to paint, it simply did not happen. Arriving home, we found Mike had gotten the truck stuck in the back field - where it was so wet, we were sinking down as we walked.  Four hours later, he is finally out of the mud, and I am not going to make it out to paint again tonight.  Thank goodness, I had gotten this one in when I did! Painting number 887 in 887 days.

Purple Iris

Purple Iris
Oil on wood panel, 5x7
purchase here

Every day, there are new irises blooming in the garden!  Today, three varieties popped open - these, a yellow and white, and a russet one.  I got out early - before my classes at the gym, and painted these purple beauties.  With my parents in town, my painting time is limited, so I am getting to the easel very early to get my painting in.  With a day full of shopping with Michaela and mom, we are now ready to go to another awards ceremony - this time just for the seniors.  Making this a quick post - painting number 865 in 865 days :)