Geraniums on the Table

At every turn, this Greenwood Vintage Market offered up another wonderful scene!  After taking a quick pass through the main areas, I jumped right in, hoping I could paint three before lunch!  I love the way the geranium branches fell over the edge of the pot, heavy with blooms.  The color was so rich against the antique cupboard and chair.  Again using this new lighter weight cotton rag paper, I start with inking the lines in my sketchy way.  I float the watercolor in with less water than the first one, to keep it where I want it.  I finish with a few more ink lines with India ink, as my orginal lines were quick and light.  Perhaps they rubbed off a little with the watercolor work?  Too soon to tell if it is a trait of the paper.  Next, I'll have to try a larger size, and see how it behaves!  It's like I'm interviewing this paper, and I keep calling him back.  Not sure if he's got the job, yet!  Painting number 2374 in 2374 days.

Magic on the Cutting Table

Magic on the Cutting Table
Oil on wood panel, 12x9
Craig Sole Designs, Shawnee Mission, Kansas - Stems
purchase here

Craig's floral shop is FULL of treasures!  Every view is a painting, and there were many things drawing me in - but THIS view grabbed me and didn't let me go!  So picturesque was the composition of chair, table, awning and all of those pots and buckets of greenery!  I set up in a tight spot, and painted in the shade - with an ice cold glass of lemonade served to me while I worked!  Ahhhh - life should be like this every day!  Painting number 888 in 888 days :)

A Chair Among Flowers

A Chair Among Flowers
Watercolor on 100% rag paper, 6x4.5
Purchase Information

I am trying something new today - painting a street scene in watercolor!  And, I am trying a new paper - 100% rag by Whatman.  Well, let me just say that the paper accepted the paint wonderfully, and I loved the texture.  Then, it came time to rub off the Pebeo, and yikes - the paper absorbed the pale blue shade of the resist!  So, where I wanted white paper showing, I now had pale blue!  Also, the rubber cement remover did not work well, so I used the rubber-like wine cork to pull off this resist - and a little color at the same time!  The cork is a subtle eraser, removing paint without damaging the paper - but I had to go back in and darken areas which had been fine until I removed the Pebeo.  It is pretty unnatural for me to paint a street scene in watercolor!  I have only used oils for this, and the method is SO different!  I think I like the results, and the french flavor of this painting - I'll just have to let it rest and see how I like it tomorrow!  I will not be using this paper for applying resists again - but it may still be a good watercolor paper.  Painting number 600 in 600 days!  Hooray!

For a Song

For a Song
9x12

I started a large painting of this image some time ago.  I was working in acrylics at the time, and the background was a very dark criss-cross underpainting.  I had bought some new acrylics - which I wanted to work with on the next step, and I just didn't get to it.  So, when I knew I would need to get some reference material together for an extended trip from home, this was one that I wanted to work on.  Using this as a study, I am playing around!  All of the pencils I use regularly are watersoluable - which means I can simply take a brush to any areas and move it around with a little water - as long as I don't spray it with a fixative.  This is a little crazy, but my youngest daughter likes my crazy work - and this one is for her!  Working on this gives me some fun new things to try on the large painting that I fizzled out on.  Sometimes, all I need to do is change things up a bit to get excited about a piece that has grown stagnant.  This wild and crazy piece is my 274th one in 274 days.  Perhaps I will work ahead for tomorrow - as I may well be on the road all day!

By the Window - pencil study

By the Window
Red pencil on tinted mi-teintes paper

I almost never use a waxy, colored pencil.  I don't care for the way they resist blending, and I have to use very different techniques with them.  But, I do LOVE the colors at my beck and call!  The vintage mood I can achieve with these waxy sticks is worth the extra trouble.  This drawing is a study for a painting I soon hope to start.  I first went to my tinted charcoals, but there is no venetian red color - not even close.  With the buttery ochre paper, I really wanted to use none other than venetian red.  So, waxy drawing pencil it was!  The tooth of the paper is also quite large, which is not nearly as noticeable when using graphite or charcoal.  Sometimes, I get a feeling of excitement for things yet unseen, while working on a piece.  I have felt that all through the process on this one.  I want to paint it a bit larger, so I will have to wait for a day with a few hours of working time to start.  This is actually my second work of the day.  I did a small oil painting of geraniums and marigolds in the front bed.  Once done, I decided I wasn't happy with it - so I started on this tonight.  Maybe I can fix it up for tomorrow's posting.  With an afternoon party by the pool tomorrow, I will not have much painting time!  This is artwork number 190 in as many days.

The Letter

The Letter
Oil on panel, 9x12

This morning, I couldn't decide whether to paint my daughter, or cupcakes.  I decided on Michaela!  After my fairy tale like landscape of yesterday, I felt like something way more realistic was in order.  The overcast day let in a soft light, shedding a special glow from the windows.  It amazes me how different the light is from day to day on these interiors.  Same house, many of the same windows, and yet each one's lighting is so very different.  I started with a detailed sketch, before laying in the basic color masses.  Starting with her face, hair, near curtain and shadow areas, and then working out from there,  I always want to be sure the main focus is right.  Then. I work out into the surrounding areas.  The diffused lighting had me graying down all colors quite a bit.  This painting makes 72 in 72 days, and I just found out that Leslie Saeta will be hosting another 30 day painting challenge in the future - and that is what started me on this ritual of painting every single day!

Chandelier Light

Chandelier Light
Oil on panel, 9x12

Some nights, when I can not sleep, settings for interiors run through my head.  I almost always get up and set them up, taking photos for reference - to start the next day.  This is one of those scenes!  Some of my favorite things are in this one - one of Mom's china teacups from the set she gave us on our wedding day, four favorite books, an antique dresser from my parents, beautiful old magnifying glass I found while on a trip with friends, and perhaps my favorite lamp in the house.  This chandelier makes me happy just to see it aglow in the kitchen and it was given to me by one of my favorite people!  It casts the most beautiful, warm light - and I've tried to capture it here.  I'm working late this evening - after a day of family fun - sledding with the kids and grandkids, followed by dinner out.  No stress getting this done, though.  The huge amount of snow has cancelled all of our activities across the board - leaving me extra time for painting - and sledding!  This is the 51st painting in a row - and I'm really enjoying the paint time this evening :)

First Guitar Lesson

First Guitar Lesson
Oil on panel, 12x9

Today, I get serious about figure work.  I have always drawn figures and portraits in graphite, but I have never really tried painting them in oils.  It is something I really want to be good at, and that only happens with a lot of hard work with the paints.  A few days ago my youngest daughter was teaching little Alan a few chords on the Baby Taylor, and here I have captured that moment in oils.  I can't wait to see where this path leads me.......This is day 27 of the 30 day painting challenge, and there are only a few days left :)