Santa Painter

Santa Painter
Acrylic on masonite, 6x4
purchase here

Some days, I come to my easel with absolutely no idea of what to paint.  After such a busy day filled right up to the brim - I had no plan in mind for subject matter.  As I got my paints and brushes out, the idea came to me - why not Santa at his easel?  I’ve been working on several Santa paintings for my Christmas cards - so this fit right into that theme!  I am working a little darker tonight - and as it is already way past dark, I may have to check this again in the daylight.  For now, I let it rest, as Santa remains at his easel.  Painting number 1063 in 1063 days :)

Reindeer Kiss

Reindeer Kiss
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5
purchase here

This has been such a fun weekend with Michaela home, with all of the family gatherings  keeping me busy!  Finding a bit of time while everyone else was busy, I was able to come to my easel and paint another painting for my Christmas cards.  I’m really into the Santa portraits this week, so today I have added a reindeer to the mix!  I really like the way the image just emerges as I add acrylic strokes, one on top of the other.  I started with just an idea of what I want, and as I work, the painting finds it’s form!  So much fun - and SO different than planning everything out!  Who knows where this newfound freedom in painting will take me?  This painting makes number 1062 in 1062 days :)

Old Saint Nick

Old Saint Nick
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

After a day of family time and shopping, I am squeezing in a painting while the kids finish a game.  They are now calling for me to join the second one - so this is a super short post!  Back to family time and this painting makes number 1061 in 1061 days :)

Father Christmas 2015

Father Christmas
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5
purchase here

Today finds me painting, while Mike is out shopping with Michaela on Black Friday!  As my closest friends know, I do not like shopping - and Mike is the King of Christmas Shopping in our family.  So, after a full day of cooking, cleaning and family fun on Thanksgiving, I now have the gift of a quiet house with all chores finished.  It is the absolute best time to paint!  I love all things vintage and antique, and that love is permeating my painting this morning.  This year, I want to paint several different Santas to use in my Christmas cards, so this another for my series.  The layers of paint build up to a wonderfully nostalgic rendering on this icy day.  I am reveling in this new acrylic technique I’ve learned!  Painting number 1060 in 1060 days :)

Santa

Santa
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

I have so enjoyed this month of portraiture, that I am going to paint a few Santa portraits for the upcoming season!  I have some wonderful photos of the Union Station Santa (who I think is one of the best!) - to use for reference.  I am pushing the darks on this painting, to completely take the background out of the composition.  The focus then moves right to is face, where it belongs.  I like the way the acrylics layer in quick, short strokes to develop the planes.  I am always pushing a little here, pulling in there - and the form shows up almost on it’s own.  This is such a fun way to paint!  No sketching and no distractions between the paint and me.  Very organic, indeed!  Painting number 1059 in 1059 days.  Happy Thanksgiving one and all!!  :)

Doorway in Batik

Doorway in Batik
watercolor batik on wasabi rice paper, 6x8.5

This crazy textured watercolor paper is an experiment for today's "batik effect".  Brought to me by a friend, I'm not sure of the name of it - but it is full of little strings that wind upon it's surface.  It accepts the paint relatively well, and also accepts the hot wax.  The wadding and cracking phase are a little more difficult, as the paper feels more like cloth than paper, but it does work.  The second layer of dark paint floats well over the surface, but the "cracks" are not as linear.  I did go in with a TomBow pen for a little definition to certain parts, and the results are pretty cool.   These pens are water-based, and can be manipulated with a wet brush.  One end is a fine point and the other is a brush tip, making them wonderful to use in many different applications.  I use them here by only lightly brushing the surface of the paper with the side of the brush tip, barely skimming on color where needed.  This results in a very natural look, not a sharp, marker "coloring page" look.  It is a great way to get my painting where I want it to be, when the results vary from the desired effect.  In fact, this painting was one of my least favorites, until I started "tweaking" it!  This painting makes 1058 in 1058 days.

Little Dreamer

Little Dreamer
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Oh - today has been SO full!  So many chores to be done, so little time - and all the while, I am "painting in my mind"!  After getting preparations under way for the Thanksgiving feast to come, I arrive late to my easel - once again!  Working from a friend's photo, I start brushing in the colors with short, quick, overlapping strokes.  Beginning with the darks, I mark them all before putting in the flesh.  I like the negatively paint around the head first, I don't really know why but it allows me so much freedom.  Freedom to move the edges, adjust parts up down or sideways, and always working towards a likeness.  It is amazing to watch the painting develop from it's humble beginnings, seemingly with a life of it's own.  This painting makes 1057 in 1057 days :)

The White Bow

The White Bow
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

This little darling was my demo for this afternoon's painting class!  The granddaughter of one of my friends (and a student - though she was not in class today), her photo was on my desktop.   I used her to demonstrate how to lay in the values in black and white while using a color photo.  The emphasis is on using short, impressionistic strokes to define all the planes of the face, all the time getting those values correct.  As I work loosely, a likeness naturally develops. Once I feel her likeness captured - I step away from the brushes!  I want her to be fresh and lively, with plenty of those lush, impressionistic strokes visible. The more I paint these portraits - the more I love doing them! Painting number 1056 in 1056 days :)

A Visit with Santa

A Visit with Santa
Acrylic on masonite, 7x5
sold

Two years ago, once my parents had arrived in town, the family started the festivities by going down to Union Station to visit Santa and see the trains.  This was the beginning of a six week decline for my dad, one I didn’t think he would pull through.  When I look back at the photos from this time, all of the feelings come flooding back.  How very fragile are the bonds of life, and how very special are those fleeting moments with family and friends.  My dad is still with us - and healthy as ever, which is another miracle in itself.  I am truly looking forward to another Christmas season and the memories we’ll make together.  I love this photo of little Alan with Santa, and I have loved painting it today, my 1055th painting in as many days.

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Another late hour at the easel - and it even looked like I might not get it in at all! Painting the grand-daughter of a friend, she is all peace and tranquility as she rests.  These sweet, dreaming faces are a joy to paint!  I have enjoyed concentrating on portraiture this month.  There is nothing like focusing on one subject to get me to hone in on all the specifics.  So fleeting can be the subtle color changes of the planes, sometimes seeing is the most difficult part.  But once that special sight has been achieved, it makes me wonder how I ever missed it.  It is so like the difference between warm and cool colors, and temperature changes make all the difference in a portrait.  Those subtle qualities give life to an otherwise two dimensional painting.   This painting makes 1054 in 1054 days.

Thoughtful

Thoughtful
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

Now that the season is becoming so busy, I am going to try to finish my painting early in the morning, before going to the gym.  So, getting up earlier than usual for just this reason, I found a few chores leaching into that time!  I still was able to lay paint - but I couldn’t finish before heading to Zumba.  It is VERY, VERY hard to stop painting when I am “in the zone”!  I did toy with the thought of missing the class........but decided against it.  The gym is also a habit I never break - unless I’m out of town painting.  I will just have to get up earlier, to ensure plenty of time to paint.  I have been painting so much in acrylics that I am actually going to have to get a new tube of titanium white!  These portraits are so rewarding to do, and I like pushing them towards impressionism or realism - whatever my mood of the day dictates.  I really do like using the Mars Black, it gives a vintage black and white feel to these paintings.  Thank you, Barb, for letting me paint your grand-daughter!!  Painting number 1053 in 1053 days.

Summer Dreaming

Summer Dreaming
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

Oh, how I love the warm days of summer!  Give me the heat any day of the week - but you can keep that cold weather up north, where it belongs!  Today, I am painting little Michael, as he drifted in the pool in one of his favorite tubes.  I considered changing the color of that tube, to enhance the painting - but decided against it.  I wanted the challenge of using the blues of water and tube together, and the cool blue is so soothing.  I am enjoying this month of painting portraits SO much!  It has allowed me to really focus on the colors of the planes, and on the reflective light that gives the face form.  Probably the most valuable habit I have adopted this month is the 10 minute color study at the very beginning of painting.  It has replaced the line drawing completely, and I think it has really strengthened my accuracy.  Painting number 1052 in 1052 days.

photo reference

color study

Michael - value study

Michael
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
sold

Tonight finds me painting the baby of the family - Michael!  This child has been a joy for his entire life. He is such a peacemaker, so loving and there is not a cross bone in his body.  It has been my pleasure to parent him these last 16 years.  I've been truly blessed when it comes to children, every one is a shiny star and as good as they come!  I am working him up in black and white, value study style.  One reason for this is that the light in my photo is not very good, so the true colors are hard to read and very diluted. So, rather than struggle for colors I could not see - I painted in black and white, where I could strengthen those values for powerful portrait. I am loving this portrait month and wondering why I didn't do it sooner!  Painting number 1051 in 1051 days :)

Serious

Serious
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I totally forgot to take a photo of my color study on this one, which is done in the first 10 minutes of painting.  So, the very first layer is nothing more than a block in of shapes and planes, with no real definition of features like eyes, nose or mouth.  After my block in, I had to get to Michael's guitar lesson, so I didn't get back to this for quite a while.  Once I started laying down strokes, I worked on the planes of the face and hair - getting the shapes right before I narrowed down to mouth, nose and eyes.  I found I was getting very tight with the brushwork, and once again, I had to actively think of getting loose with that brush!  It is so natural for me to push right into realism, but this month is all about impressionism in the portrait - so I will persevere!  Painting number 1050 in 1050 days :)

Counting Sheep

Counting Sheep
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5 - sold

I simply love the sweet innocence of a sleeping child!  This is fast becoming one of my favorite painting subjects!  Using only titanium white and Mars black, I have painted this subject in true value study style.  Working from the photo below, I cropped in tight on the face working the large planes.  I normally use one large, scrubby filbert right up to the end, where I switch to a smaller cat's tongue for final definition.  I am beginning to like the whole dry brush technique - what was completely foreign two weeks ago is now very natural.  As for not using any medium - I don't miss it.  I don't use any with my oils, so the transition in the acrylics went smoothly - and the intensity of the hues is so much better!  Two more weeks of "portrait month" - where will tomorrow take me?  Painting number 1049 in 1049 days :)

Impressions of Kayla

Impressions of Kayla
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

It is funny how some days my strokes are very loose, and others - very tight!  I had to really make an effort to relax with my brush today.  This little darling is my cousin's daughter, and I am working from a photo I took a couple of years ago during a Christmas dinner.  I have started with the same 10 minute color study, and then just progressed from there.  I worked longer on getting the face planes right before starting much on the features - and it made it easier to get accurate placement of shapes.  Another thing different about working in this particular method - there is no use of mediums, not even water. Just straight heavy body acrylic paint and dry brushes, right up until I'm ready to wash the brush - then I can stick it in the water.  It truly does make for better results.  Painting number 1048 in 1048 days.

Girl in White Hat

Girl in White Hat
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
(4th 15 minutes,,,)
purchase here

1st 15 minutues

On this assignment, the task was to study the reference photo for 2 minutes, then close it, and paint from memory 15 minutes.  I tried to lay in the masses as I remembered them.  Once to this stage I was not sure how to proceed, so I let the dogs out, fixed myself a cup of tea, and started a back up on my computer!

2nd 15 minutes

Yikes!  My head placement is much too low on my panel!  Trying to engrave the details of placement, light and shadow - I stared at the photo for 2 more minutes (thank goodness for the timer on my phone!)  I then made adjustments, especially trying to get the angle of the hat just right....but as you can see, I just couldn’t remember quite how it went.  I remembered values, but the edges eluded me....as they did for most of this exercise!

3rd 15 minutes

After another two solid minutes of studying, I finally began to feel like MAYBE I could find my way out of the fog!  At this point, I am wishing I had chosen a photo with more light on the face, but t is too late for that - and I must try to get the nuances of this light under the brim.  Bringing the hat into a better shape - which has taken me three attempts so far, helps me to anchor some of the deep shadows of the hair.  I spend my full 15 minutes painting this time, wondering if I will be anywhere close after the final 15!     Oh - and I did not realize I took a blurry photo, but alas - it is the only one I took so I have included it!

4th 15 minutes

Knowing this is my last crack at this, I study those little details that close in on a likeness, and am still trying to get those elusive values right!  This has been frustrating, and I can clearly see that some “brain” supplements are in order!  I can see how important this exercise is to improving ability, I simply have a long way to go.....!  After finishing this last 15 minutes, I think this is okay.  I am off on the eye shapes and the nose, and I wish I had positioned her on the panel more like I had cropped the photo. The composition would have been better.  I also should have pushed the values a bit more in her hair, as it looks flat.  I feel like I have run a race, and I think it is time for a glass of wine.  Maybe I’ll like it better in a couple of hours :)  Painting number 1047 in 1047 days.

1st 15 minutes

2nd 15 minutes

3rd 15 minutes
yikes!  blurry!

photo reference

Wonder

Wonder
Acrylic on wood, 6x6
purchase here

My second day of painting on the heavily textured surface finds me still longing for the smooth one!  My strokes break over the nap too much, and I’m unable to get the same, smooth brushwork.  I didn’t have time yesterday to get more panels cut - but I feel like I really need to ASAP for these portraits!  The texture would be just fine for landscape work, so I can save them for that.  I need to finish an assignment for my online class today - and I must have the right substrate!  Oh well, this is a lesson learned on preparing panels for portraits.  It really does make a difference in acrylics, where it would not hinder me in oils.  This painting makes 1046 in 1046 days and I’m heading to the store right now!

Birthday Boy

Birthday Boy
Acrylic on wood, 6x6
purchase here

I really wanted to jump right into painting this morning!  Then, my daily chores ate up the hours before heading to the gym.  I had already chosen my subject for today, and was making those brushstrokes in my mind.  Finally getting the chance to return to my easel - I found I was out of square panels!  Noooo!  I had cut the wood yesterday, so now I had to take the time to prime them with gesso, this time adding a coat of gel medium, too.  All I want to do today is paint, and it has taken me forever to get to that stage!  I need a clone who takes care of all the chores and details, so the real me can just paint!  So, the panels are finally dry - and I have used one for this painting.  I used the same large house painting brush for the gel medium that I used for the gesso, but it has left a deep texture to paint upon!  Comparing yesterday’s painting with today’s, I think I like the medium free surface better.  Darn.  I just finished 10 panels that way.  Painting number 1045 in 1045 days :)

Dreamland

10 minute color block in

Dreamland
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
sold

A childhood friend of mine had posted this darling photo of his daughter - and I knew I had to paint her!  Capturing such a sweet moment in a child’s life has been a joy!  I started with a 10 minute color block in, allowing this to dry while I ran errands.  As soon as I was back from the gym, I started right in with my brush work.  Using again the limited palette, I find these colors work so well together. There is such a wonderful color harmony  attained by using the limited palette!  I am finding that the gessoed surface is wearing at my new brushes, though.  I normally add a bit of acrylic gel medium to my gesso to allow the brushes to move more easily over the surface.  I just primed 10 other panels - and will be topping them off with some of the medium in a cross hatch fashion.  We’ll see if that helps.  I am loving the effect I am getting with the acrylics using short, impressionistic strokes!  Painting number 1044 in 1044 days.

Baby Alastair

Baby Alastair
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

I really like painting these portraits using only black and white!  I set my timer for 40 minutes before I start, and when the time is up - I stop!  I mix as I go, and use no water at all until I am done with the painting - and then only to wash out my brush.  No medium is used with the heavy body acrylics, which allows the colors to be quite strong.  I am using short, impressionist strokes throughout - even for small areas like the pupils and iris of the eyes.  This really adds life and energy in a way straight, hard lines do not.  I am trying to do one black and white and one color portrait each day of this month - determined to master this technique quickly.  I am using filbert brushes - which I have never used (unless you count all of the brights and flats that I have worn down to filberts through the years!).  They make soft, rounded edges to the strokes, that flats simply wouldn't do.  Painting number 1043 in 1043 days.

Alan Smiles

Alan Smiles
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
value study - purchase here

I find that I really love painting these value studies in black and white!  The recommended black is Ivory Black, but I had several tubes of Mars Black - so that is what I am using.  I like the old black and white photo feel these paintings have - and I’m carrying them farther than just value studies.  I want them to stand alone as powerful paintings, with no need for color.  I want to paint one every day - and at 40 minutes each, that should be totally doable!   I do wonder if my strokes are loose enough on this one......This little darling is my oldest grandson, and I hope this painting does justice to his sweet, adorable soul!   Painting number 1042 in 1042 days.  I'm going to need to start photographing everyone I know just to keep up with my new habit.....!

The Glance

The Glance
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Yesterday’s block in was SO difficult!  I was really concentrating, thinking about each stroke - and it pushed me over the edge.  For this one, I simply relaxed and started blocking in masses loosely, trying NOT to think about what I was doing.  I paint SO much better when I disengage my brain!  The block in unfolded before me, and it really is easier to place all the features by working loose.  It is a sure way to get features right, and I don’t have a lot of time invested in areas, should I want to adjust their location.  I have never worked this way, so this is a big lesson to learn.  I let this dry completely, to await the next layer.  This allows for subsequent strokes to be simply removed with a damp paper towel, if desired.  I corrected some of the shapes in this layer, and tried to incorporate more color.  With so much dry brushing in this layer - it looks like I'll be scrubbing my new brushes away into dust!  Painting number 1041 in 1041 days :)

color block in

reference - Michaela 

At Water's Edge

At Water's Edge
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

This is my first block in and color wash in acrylic using this particular limited palette.  I used a limited palette in acrylic for years, and found it so helpful in mixing colors on the fly - especially in the field.  The colors used here are yellow oxide, cad red light, cad red medium, red oxide, alizarin crimson and indanthrene blue, along with white and black.  That makes four different reds, a muddy yellow and a blue I have never heard of - but is somewhat like prussian, only cooler.  After blocking in the masses, I was ready to throw in the towel, I was so disappointed in the direction of the portrait!  I let it dry, as recommended, so that future strokes could be added or wiped off with a damp paper towel until the desired effect was achieved.  I did a different block in, and then returned to this.  As I started laying on strokes with a dry brush method, the painting started to come to life.  I’m a little unsure if this is where I will leave this painting, but for now - I am so much happier with it than I was earlier!  My new brushes came in - so I am getting to know them as well here.  Perhaps that was also some of the initial frustration.  New tools, new color combination, and new technique - no wonder I feel COMPLETELY out of my box!  Another difficulty - I painted this from the tiny photo on my phone, which was from a distance, and the clarity is not great.  A funny thing happened as I painted....I made this woman look more like myself!  Crazy.  Probably because I had trouble seeing the planes.  I also added more light, which I really thought it needed.  This painting makes 1040 in 1040 days.

Michaela - value study

Michaela - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

I am hoping that one month of these 40 minute value studies will sharpen my portrait skills. Improving accuracy with speed, and injecting genuine mood that can be felt with spontaneous strokes, are just a couple of rewards I hope to glean from this one month of portrait concentration.  I feel I am already better understanding the application of the masses to create form, rather than the sketching out of the composition first - which is a big step for me, as I have deep, deep roots in linear work!  The real key to success here is to step outside of my box, open myself up totally to this new way of portrait technique, and throw myself in whole-heartedly!  Capturing the perfect likeness in 40 minutes still evades me, but I am going to work on that until it happens every time!  I did decide to leave out her hand, to strengthen the composition. Painting number 1039 in 1039 days.

Alastair - value study

Alastair - value study
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5

This is my second value study on this month's atelier on portraiture. I am working from a photo that I took with indoor lighting and a flash - which does not produce wonderful lights and shadows for painting.  But, I love the expression, and am going to find a way to make it work....push the values a little.  Originally, the background was light, but I found it competing with the subject, so I painted it dark.  The focus is now on Alastair.  I have used some really loose brushwork here, but I like the effect!  As with all of these studies, they must be completed in 40 minutes, all in black and white - from which I mix the grays I need. My sta-wet palette is indeed keeping my acrylics wet, and I have not added water since the very beginning.  I am still waiting for my special brushes to come in, but I am making do with what I have on hand.  This painting makes 1038 in 1038 days.

Alan - value study

Alan - value study
acrylic on masonite, 5x5

Today, I am starting a new painting adventure - portraits in acrylic, using an impressionistic style!  I am taking an online atelier for the month of November - and this is my assignment for the week.  From the reference photo of my grandson below, I had to capture the lights and darks in 40 minutes.  I thought this would be so hard - but to my surprise I finished most in 20 minutes!  Hard to believe, I use to be much slower.  I guess the daily painting has really sped up my time!  I have always started portraits with a line sketch, not in this workshop!  Instead, capturing the form with shapes of paint is key.  I though this would be SO daunting, but it was not!  It was fun to see the image emerge with loose strokes!  Additionally, I have not used my acrylics since June, and have only used them sparingly in the last 3

years.  So, the thought of having to make those paints work, when I feel oils are so much better suited, was also scary!  But, it was not!  It, too, was fun to build stroke upon stroke, as the layers dried.  SO crazy, to enjoy this whole assignment as much as I did!  I already did another one for tomorrow, and will begin combing through my photos for the best reference work!  This photo of Alan is from a few years ago.  Without even thinking about it, I have painted him to look more his age now!  I can't wait to see how my portraits improve over the next month!  Painting number 1037 in 1037 days :)

Autumn Ablaze

Autumn Ablaze
Watercolor batik on rice paper
purchase here

Have I mentioned that watercolor batik is completely unpredictable?  I can use the same methods, color, paper and brushes - yet each time, the results vary wildly!  This time, the thin rice paper absorbed the color more vibrantly, and later absorbed more of the watercolor flooding over the cooled and cracked wax.  Why?  Who knows?  The cracking was more effective because I popped this baby in the freezer to speed the cooling of the hot wax.  Many times, I have to really brush that watercolor over the cracked wax - over and over again, just to get it to accept a bit of that wonderful brown color.......but not this time.  After seeing it so readily absorb, I even backed off, blotting up a few especially heavy areas.  These batik pieces truly are unique - each one moves in it's own way, and there is absolutely no way I could get the same results again!  It is WONDERFUL to have new Pitt pens to sketch out with - I had not realized how dry some of my favs were getting - not until I pulled out a juicy, fresh one! Another creative day in exploring watercolor batik on rice paper - and painting number 1036 in 1036 days :)

Golden Reflections - Batik

Golden Reflections - Batik
Watercolor batik on rice paper, 8.5x6
purchase here

What a fun painting class we had this week!  Most worked in the watercolor batik technique - and my mission was to make this process more clear in their understanding, so they could take this process home and get the same great results.  The steps are always the same, in the same order, and the magic happens when the paint hits the rice paper, hot waxing and following paint application.  These things no one can control - and ironing off that wax to see what you have is like opening up a Christmas present!  In the case of this painting, the flooding of the batik color absorbed very little (same paper, process, and paints as yesterday, done at the very same time - yet very different results!), and even the wrinkling of the paper was reduced.  The difference?  I did not pop this one in the freezer before cracking.......hmmmm, very interesting.  For this painting, I really like the light batik effect, I think it adds interest without detracting from the wide open feel of the landscape.  Another day, another experiment!  Painting number 1035 in 1035 days :)

KC!! - in batik

KC!! - in batik
Watercolor batik on masa, 7x5
purchase here

What a sporting weekend for Kansas City!!  The Royals are in New York for the World Series (already taking 3 of 4 games so far) and the Chiefs are in London - which is crazy town - and totally dominating o the field!  It may just be too much excitement for us locals - as we await another World Series game in an hour!!  So, I’m painting one this  gorgeous afternoon for both our KC teams - and then I’m off for some last minute details before the game!  This painting makes 1034 in 1034 days.