Sunset Over the Portage

Sunset Over the Portage
20x17, oil on panel

This is painted from a 6x6 study that I did from the bank of the Portage River in my parent's back lawn in Elmore, Ohio.  From my location on the bank, I could simply rotate for many different landscape paintings.  The view is amazing, and the light on the river is constantly changing.  Always a peaceful spot, I love walking at river's edge, and turning those feelings into paintings.

Windows of the Soul

Honorable Mention - HFAA 2012 Show

Sometimes, a drawing just flows off the tip of the pencil.  Other times, it is brought into this world like a hard fought battle.  I must say, this falls into the latter category.  Using new pencils AND changing up my normal methods was certainly the biggest drawing challenge I have had.  No resting in my comfort zone for this little darling.  After so much more work (i.e. blood, sweat, and tears...) I can lay my pencils down.  This one is now framed and ready to go to the HFAA show tomorrow.  I feel like I poured my own soul out on this one!

Windows to the Soul
tinted graphite on bristol, 20x16

And still working......

Once I start laying in the background color - there is no going back!  I'm not at all sure I like where this is going......I will next add more shading to all edges and blend.  I will keep working it until I am satisfied.  It has already taken three times longer to get to this point, than with my normal pencils.  Well, there is no learning without stretching outside of my comfort zone - and I am way out now.

Work in Progress...

Here is the next day's work.  I'm getting used to the tinted graphite - but I still miss the super soft blending of my normal pencils.  These little curls are becoming such a fun exercise!  It is just like putting a puzzle together.  At first, there is just a mess of squiggles, but as each curl is defined - it all comes together.  I still need to put more color on the face, then the shirt.  Last, I will blend in the background.  Nothing distinct, just color and shading..........I hope it turns out!  I want to enter this in a drawing competition, if all goes well :)

Work in Progress

I thought I would show my current work in progress, which is a little scary - as I am trying out  a new chestnut graphitint pencil.  I can feel the extra pigment as I work.  I can not blend as I normally do, it takes far more effort.  I love the warm color, but I miss my black and white already!  I'm also going to fill in the background, which I almost never do.  I like the effect of only the subject reaching out from the page, but I feel like experimenting (I hope I'm not sorry!)  I love these curls  - and they are sure going to be a challenge :)