Guitar Moment

Wanting to switch gears this afternoon, I grabbed my acrylics and jumped into a loose and impressionistic portrait in black and white.  This type of work normally rolls right off the brush, but not today.  I started by painting the masses with a dry brush technique, laying in the darks first.  Once the lights were in and the panel was covered, I started pushing and pulling the edges until the image emerged.  This was a bit of a struggle!  I've not painted in this way for a while, so it took a while to get comfortable with the paint!  I think I better do a few more of these just to get back up to speed.  Painting number 1509 in 1509 days :)

Alan and Guitar

Alan and Guitar
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6
purchase here

I’ve spent several days on nutcrackers - and have really enjoyed them, but I’m feeling a desire to get back to my roots for a little quiet time with my paints.  No music, no noise, no distractions.  Just the easel, brushes, panel and a little time to myself.  Switching gears from the holiday theme, tonight finds me working on a portrait of little Alan.  Michaela was showing him a few things on the guitar, and he was seriously soaking in every word.  He has a natural musical ability - it is surely in the genes!  I am working towards the impressionist, with loose strokes to capture the mood of the moment.  This is art therapy at it’s best, when I can pour my soul out in paint with brush.  My days grow more and more hectic until company arrives, so this time with my easel is a gift.  Painting number 1075 in 1075 days.  :)

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!