Eiffel Tower in Batik

I love the unpredictability of watercolor batik on rice paper.  Every stroke moves and mingles at will.  For this painting,  I've used masa paper,  which is a heavier rice paper.  It has a slick side and a lightly textual side  - and that is the one you want to paint on.  I start with my Pitt pen by drawing out the composition.  Pitt pens are India ink, so they won't run when paint is applied.   All light values were painted first,  then hot wax was applied over these areas with a natural bristle brush.  The rest of the color is added,  then waxed,  then all is crumpled up.   Into these cracks in the wax more watercolor is applied,  I used sepia.  All wax is then ironed off between layers of brown paper,  or newspaper.   Voila!  That completes the process!   Painting number 1533 in 1533 days.

Spring Along the Avenue

Spring Along the Avenue
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
4/100, The {100} Artists - auction bid here

My first chance to get to my easel was late today.  Teaching two classes, boxing and shipping out two paintings, and the regular daily housework tied me up all day.  So, the easiest option would have been to choose a really comfortable subject, and let the paint flow naturally.......Nope!  Instead, I went with another painting in The {100} Artists theme, with substrate I am going to make myself like, a size so small as to make any building scene difficult, and of course a subject I want to push myself to excel in!  Crazy!  I rarely take the easy road when I could learn something instead.  Go figure. Painting number 821 in 821 days.

A Walk in Belfort

A Walk in Belfort
Oil on panel, 8x10
purchase here

I've just arrived home from a very frustrating basketball at William Chrisman High School for the 9th grade team that Michael plays for.  I can not remember being SO mad at a game in a VERY long time!  Anyone who knows me will know that I don't get mad about anything - ever, but tonight did it.  The refs were unbelievably biased, and it has left me too mad to finish this painting tonight.  I simply did not leave myself enough time earlier to finish this painting, and I don't know what I'll get if I paint angry!   I tried to get it in before leaving for a basketball game - but alas, I just had to go.  I know I'll see it tomorrow with different eyes, and then I'll make adjustments.  This street scene is located in Belfort, France and is a wonderful medieval village.  I have used the palette knife throughout, but still have some work  to do.  I hadn't decided whether to add foliage or not, but I think I will, and a few people walking the streets too.  If I did it now, they would be angry, fighting people :)  This is painting number 760 in 760 days, Day 29 of the 30 Day Painting Challenge.  Now, I think it is time for a nice, large glass of wine!

Rue du Le Barroux

Rue du Le Barroux
Oil on panel, 12x9
Purchase Information

Thank goodness, one of my Tri-County friends sent me a text reminder about today's workshop!  One of my dear friends was giving a demo - and brought many of her reference shots from her recent painting trip to France!  I did not want to miss this, but alas, I almost did!  Arriving late, I got there just in time to start painting.  Picking out a couple of my favorite shots, I started in on this lovely street scene in Le Barroux.  I painted most of this with my brushes, but did finish off the masses with my palette knife.  New on the palette today - Gamblin's caucasian skin, cad chartreuse, and nickel titanate yellow.  You can see these paints used all over this painting, in the foliage, on the stone buildings and the street.  I think this may only be my second or third cityscape ever, so I still think I need a lot more practice!  Perhaps I will start painting some of the Google Earth street views, as so many other artists do......or maybe I should just get to travel more!  Painting number 591 in 591 days :)