Uncle Sam Nutcracker

What fun it is to paint one of the coolest nutcrackers I have seen!  I love the whole patriotic theme, and he comes complete with a large drum!  Today, I start this painting with a thin wash of the masses, allowing that color to settle in the grain of the canvas.  I really don't like the little white spots that show up in the weave when using canvas, so I am making sure they are covered before really laying paint.  Next, I start applying more color, building up the layers, pushing the darks cooler and the lights warmer.  Uncle Sam has SO much character - it has been super fun to capture him in paint!!  Painting number 1424 in 1424 days :)

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Nutcracker Pair

This is turning in to "nutcracker week"!   As we celebrate the holiday with family and friends, I am sneaking in paintings where I can!   I primed several of these wonderful, deep gallery wraps for special holiday paintings, and now I am painting small on canvas.   The weave grabs the paint of the brush in high spots, while resisting it in the grooves.  I now realize why some of my "acrylic" friends thin down their paint so much - you have to or the canvas color will totally show through!  Once coverage is achieved, I can then dry brush over as usual.  These will be cool for my upcoming show, but they certainly take longer than my normal masonite!   Painting number 1415 in 1415 days :)

Acrylic on canvas, 4x4
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Nutcracker Drummer

This fabulous little nutcracker has drumsticks and a drum, and lots of character!   I've  had fun with him - his legs run off the bottom and his hat runs off the top of this deep, gallery wrapped canvas!  The great thing about the gallery wraps is that they can sit anywhere,  as they are free standing bacause of their depth.  I think I'll paint a trio for my own house!   Painting number 1412 in 1412 days :)

Skier & the Drummer

Skier & the Drummer
Acrylic on masonite, 4x6
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Today was our Frank side family Christmas, this year hosted by my cousin, Carla.  It is always so nice to get together with aunts, uncle, cousins and their families - which are growing!  In our busy times, I don't see these families nearly enough!  It is fun to have so many little ones running around - and next year we add one more!  I remember the days when I was one of those little ones running around!  As the oldest grandchild, I loved having my cousins under my care!  I wish they lived closer, and we could see more of them.  Once we were home from the gathering, I was at a loss for what to paint.  Pouring over some of the recent reference work, I decided on these two nutcrackers (thanks once again to Candy).  I am still using the limited palette, and blocking the whole painting in quickly with a 10 minute color study before adding dimension to those masses.  Sometimes, I feel I could use a little cad yellow light on my palette - but so far, I have done without - and don't ever think about it after the initial block-in.  This painting makes 1090 in 1090 days....and the days of painting nutcrackers are almost up until next December!

Golden Knight & Drummer

Golden Knight & Drummer
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
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I sure wish I was ahead on my paintings as Christmas begins!  As I am not, I find the only time I can get to my easel is at the end of the day when the rest of the household is tucked tight into their beds.  Perhaps, I should set up my easel in their rooms for a little nocturne painting........!  Instead, I return once again to my quiet friends, the nutcrackers, for my daily art therapy.  For the second time this month, I have completely finished and photographed a painting, only to realize that I forgot to paint in the sword!  Why do I do this?  I had to open back up my palette, retrieve my brush from the sink - and put that baby in, then get another image from the finished painting.  I am probably just too tired for my own good.  Maybe I’ll stay late in bed tomorrow and let somebody else do the cooking!  Painting number 1082 in 1082 days.  :)

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers

Knight and Drummer Nutcrackers
Acrylic on masonite, 6x4
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Tonight's nutcracker pair in a fancy pants knight and an equally fancy drummer!  Complete with sword, drum and drumsticks - these two put those common nutcrackers to shame!  I have layered these guys up with acrylics in short, impressionistic strokes, until their forms emerge.  It is so cool to capture all of the different styles of mustaches, eyebrows, and clothing!  I had no idea how varied these all were until my friend started sharing her collection with me!  I will never look at Nutcrackers the same!  In fact, I feel a new interest coming on! Painting number 1078 in 1078 days!