Wine for Two

Although I rarely get the chance, I love to paint en plein air at night.  This table set for two, complete with wine and glasses made the perfect subject for a nocturne painting.  I start with a dark panel, and begin by laying in the light masses where I find them.  Trying to pay attention to the temperature of that light is trickier when done in low light.  I do not like artificial light for night painting, so I use a porch light to see what I can on my palette and panel.  I never truly know what I have until I view the painting in the light of tre next day!  Painting number 2317 in 2317 days.

Wine and Glasses in Ink

After a very busy Easter gathering with much family,  the house has settled down and I am on cleaning duty!   As I sift through the chores,  my mind wanders to my daily painting.  What better thing to record than the remnants of the day?  So,  I leave the empty wine bottle and a few of the glasses on the table,  and grab my brand new handmade journal from India!  It's buffalo hide cover is thin, supple and buttery.  The 100% cotton rag paper has wonderful texture,  is velvety and thinner than my other handmade journals.  Will it support the use of water?  I gingerly sketch with my Pilot Varsity fountain pen,  careful not to leave the nib on the surface too long.  I'm a little fearful of bleeding through.  As I take my water brushpen lightly over the lines,  the ink works it's magic.  It does not bleed through nor damage the paper.  In my carefulness, I leave it lighter.......I like it!!  Should I use this fancy journal for my upcoming sketch event?   Hmmmm....I think I might.....!  Painting number 1558 in 1558 days :)

Wine Party Demo

Tonight's Wine and Paint party goes to support Michael's robotics team, as well as local projects Xi Gamma Phi donates to.  Our subject - a wine still life!  We set up glasses and bottles in front of the guests, and each could paint either what was before them, or from several paintings on easels.  Composition and paint mixing were on the line up - and each walked away with their own unique painting!   So fun!  My still life demo is my 1505th painting in 1505 days.

Wine for Three

For this afternoon's painting class, I set up this still life with wine bottles and glasses of three different heights.  Arranging them before me, I started blocking in all edges of the glass, overlapping them where applicable.  Next, with a large brush, I paint the masses I see, looking for central colors within the shapes.  Once the panel is covered, I start the palette knife work, breaking edges and dropping in thick paint. As I approach completion, I start to check that my colors are harmonizing, and bouncing off the varied surfaces.  With so much glassware, all colors should reflect off their surfaces.  I wanted quiet color today, so I chose a chardonnay for the lead wine.  If I didn't have such a full day, it would have been lovely to have a little wine for lunch!  Painting number 1503 in 1503 days.

Red, White and Blue

As I settle into watching the election results, I have gathered together a few of my friends for a little still life.  Since I have many wine glasses, the combinations are endless!  I didn't have long to wait to vote, and am happy I was able to do my civic duty.  Grandma Bessie once told me, if you don't vote, you can't complain!   This painting is the 1398th painting in 1398 days :)

oil on panel, 5x7
purchase here

Rex and Wine Glasses

Pulling out a little Rex Goliath and a couple of wine glasses, I set up a still life with the upcoming paint party in mind.  Starting simply, my brushes took on a mind of their own, and before I knew it, the painting grew into something too complicated to teach in a two hour segment!  Oh well, I will try to reign myself in next time.  As for this painting, I really like the depth and energetic stroke work, and the vibrant color is just what I wanted!  Painting number 1387 in 1387 days  :)

Oil on panel, 11x14
purchase here

Five Glasses

Choosing five of my wine glasses, I set them up on a table, and started sketching them.  I am working on this for an upcoming wine and paint party.  I am keeping the colors more neutral, and I am thinking about what could be easily taught with good chances for success.  After sketching, I fill in the masses with the dominant colors.  With some loose brushwork, these masses have more interest.  In using my three favorite brushes all month, I find I am again returning to my connoisseurs.  They move stiffer paint more effectively, and their bristles are so thick that they never separate like the Bristlons do.  I still love the Silver Silverwhite synthetic brushes for finish work, though.  They will lay paint right on top of wet paint, without brushing into the bottom layer.  Very nice.  This rather contemporary painting is number 1380 in 1380 days.

Time for Wine

Time for Wine
Oil on wood panel, 4x6 - purchase here

Knowing this day was going to be super busy, I sketched out two small paintings early this morning - hoping I would have time to lay paint, too.  I did not - so this waited all day long for me to return!  In this still life with bottles and glasses, I am longing for loose, fun strokes - steering away from tight realism.  Painting is expression, so tonight I am painting what I feel more than what I see.  If you look closely at my yellow earth paint marks - you can see how the texture changes with this coarsely ground Terre Greeze Italian paint.  I prefer it's warm tones over yellow ochre (which I almost never use).  I simply do not like the very slight green tint that all yellow ochres have.  The other sketch will have to wait until the morrow for it’s paint, for tonight I am just too tired!  Sometimes, even I wear out!  Another 30 day painting challenge has begun, so this is number two in September’s 30 day challenge and this painting makes 975 for me in 975 days :)

Red Hot Wine Glasses

Red Hot Wine Glasses
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
purchase here

Switching gears completely tonight and playing with bold, wild color!  Brushing on thick and topping off with palette knife - this bright and lively still life closes my very busy day.  Some days are too busy for eating, but I can always squeeze in a painting!  I hope I can paint more than one tomorrow during the Tri-County paint in.  It is definitely better to be ahead by a painting - it adds a little breathing room when life becomes too hectic!  Painting number 959 in 959 days.