On Santa's Lap

On Santa's Lap
Acrylic on masonite, 6x8
purchase here

Merry Christmas!!  After starting the ham and getting the turkey in the oven, I found some time to get in this painting of little Alan (from 2010!) on Santa’s lap.  I love the expressions and gestures, the simple capture of a magical moment.  It made perfect subject matter for a painting!  I’m still using a limited palette, but I have added ivory black to the hues when getting into the shadows.  The transparent nature of this black makes it a better option than the opaque mars black.  I’m running out of panels again, so I had to prime over the rich pumpkin orange with white before beginning the acrylic block in.  I have grown quite used to that in the last couple months.  Crazy for a girl who has never liked starting with a white surface!   Painting number 1088 in 1088 days.  :)

Alan and Guitar

Alan and Guitar
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

I’ve spent several days on nutcrackers - and have really enjoyed them, but I’m feeling a desire to get back to my roots for a little quiet time with my paints.  No music, no noise, no distractions.  Just the easel, brushes, panel and a little time to myself.  Switching gears from the holiday theme, tonight finds me working on a portrait of little Alan.  Michaela was showing him a few things on the guitar, and he was seriously soaking in every word.  He has a natural musical ability - it is surely in the genes!  I am working towards the impressionist, with loose strokes to capture the mood of the moment.  This is art therapy at it’s best, when I can pour my soul out in paint with brush.  My days grow more and more hectic until company arrives, so this time with my easel is a gift.  Painting number 1075 in 1075 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.....!

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 :)

Undiluted Love

Undiluted Love
Graphite on bristol, 12x16
not for sale

What is more sacred than the love for a child?  This drawing is of my oldest daughter with her first child, Alan.  Drawn from photo reference, this was truly a labor of love.  I can feel the warmth of those chubby little arms and the baby softness of those sweet little cheeks as I laid kisses upon them.  It is something one never forgets.  The smell of their skin, the wisp of their hair against the face as they are drawn near, each sweet moment is unforgettable.  When I work on something like this, time just fades away.  I lose track of all things around me, my focus is on the paper alone.  I could simply get lost in the work - and not resurface for days!  Well, I guess the kids would be bothering me for food - eventually.  Why does everyone expect to be fed?  This is my 198th artwork in 198 days.

Contemplation

Contemplation
Oil on panel, 12x16

I actually had an unbroken window of time today, where I could actually paint this painting all the way through.  This is my oldest grandson, sitting out on the mulch pile out in the garden.  He has such wonderful coloring to capture in oils!  I may come in at this tomorrow, and layer in a bit more color....but for now, I will let it rest.  I have company coming in minutes, and a baseball game after that!  It is one of the reasons I got this one finished up early.  This is painting number 189 in 189 days - and company is already here!

Baby Alan

Baby Alan
Graphite on bristol

Just arrived home from Colorado, getting ready for a workshop in the morning, and doing a little graphite work to unwind.  Working with pencil and paper helps me unwind like no other medium.  I can just let the graphite work it's magic, blending as needed with the paper stumps.  I lay a fresh piece of paper down for my right hand to rest on as I work.  This prevents the oil from my skin from getting onto the paper, changing the way the paper accepts the graphite.  I am almost finished with this one, only a couple of shadows to deepen.  I am also working on another graphite piece, which just may be one of my favorites, yet.  Can't wait to get back to it.  And yes, I have MANY more Colorado paintings to paint in the days to come.  This makes the 127th artwork completed in 127 days.