Santa at the Christmas Tree

 

It's a Merry Christmas Eve to capture Santa at the tree - as I finish all those last details with a mug of hot tea!  I'm sending out love and light to all tonight, as preparations wrap up.  On such a night, memories flood back from past Christmas eves, when we waited for all the kids to be asleep before setting out all the presents. Santa would come in the night to fill stockings and to leave something special for each girl and boy.  I loved the days when the house was full and big hugs were just around the corner.  When the family all gathers here tomorrow, we will be a large bunch indeed, and it will be another Christmas of cherished memories together.  Painting number 5048 in 5048 days. 

Creek in Sepia

 I love to haunt my favorite local creeks in winter.  The brush has died back and the banks are more accessible.  I can get in closer for the perfect vantage, and sketch with pen and ink.  For this one, I am using a sepia ink on a smoother than normal paper. I love the vintage effect the brown ink lends to such a scene.  Every twist and turn of this creek is picturesque.  Painting number 4047 in 4047 days. 

Erikson Garden in Sepia

The Erikson Water Garden is a special place to paint.  There is something about setting up by the water, with the sound of the water trickling over rocks, that lulls me into a serene painting zone.  Thoughts of the two hour quick paint faded away, and I truly melted into my surroundings, really seeing what unfolded before me.  I'm using my newest TWSBI Eco T with ink I blended myself.  The brown black shade lends a timeless feel to this extraordinary garden scene.  I loved this place so much, I framed and turned this in, and returned for another painting here in oils.  I'm going to really enjoy painting here for the next two weeks.  Painting number 1943 in 1943 days.

Ink on paper, 8x10
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Western Auto in Ink

This building is a Kansas City icon - and so much fun to draw!  Whenever I have to come to the city,  I take advantage and capture something cool in ink!  I'm using a  sepia ink pen on this one, and I like the vintage feel.  Tomorrow will find me back in the paint,  but for today I'm reveling in the ink!  Painting number 1592 in 1592 days. 

Barnes and Noble on the Plaza

I find I'm wanting to draw constantly!  Michaela is home for spring break,  and we picked up some sweet drawing supplies!  I LOVE drawing journals from India!  The quality is superior in all materials.  I can't wait to start them!!!  But for these study works,  I am using my original sketchbooks (which I once bought because they were so cool).  Just like every other media,  once I really dive into what I'm doing, I zero in on the tools I really love.  This smooth paper is well suited for this kind of drawing.  I'm using a medium sepia Pitt pen, only because the fine and superfine are running low on ink!  It actually works well as long as I use a light touch.  These cars are still a little forced,  but the lines are getting a little easier.  I love how this challenge makes child's play out of hurdles!  Drawing number 1537 in 1537 days :)

Santa and Dolly

This year, I am painting a series of vintage Santa scenes on small, gallery wrapped canvases.  Some are sepia, and some are in black and white.  In this one, Santa is looking at Dolly with an expression of wonder, and Dolly is looking right back!  The magic of Christmas is in the air and I'm channeling that feeling into each one of these nostalgic paintings.   Painting number 1432 in 1432 days  :)

sold

Santa and the Train

Tonight, I am working in the sepia. I begin by painting in the darks around my subject.  From this beginning, the shapes emerge.  Depth is achieved by layering the short strokes in a fresh, loose way.  While the acrylic paint is still fresh, it can still be manipulated with a damp paper towel or q-tip, even removed right down to the canvas.  A soft touch is essential, or the results could be too abrupt.  I am really enjoying the nostalgia of these Santas.  This vintage Santa is my 1423rd painting in 1423 days.

acrylic on canvas, 4x4
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Santa at the Tree

acrylic on panel, 5x7
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Tonight finds me painting this vintage Christmas scene with my Christmas cards in mind!   I am drawn to all things nostalgic, so I am using sepia tones.  I mix this shade with ivory black and red oxide, and I can bend it warm or cool, accordingly.  I am using the white of the panel for my lights, so I am saving the whites as I would with graphite or watercolor.   I am using a wet q-tip to remove the acrylic, if I get it where I don't want it.  I am having so much fun - I think I'll start another!  Painting number 1422 in 1422 days. 

Checking the Jester

Checking the Jester
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 4x4
sold

I love the vintage feel of painting this Santa in sepia!  I mix red oxide and ivory black to get this rich color, and basically work the darks.  I try to not use white at all, except for a little light on the rim of his glasses.   I love this technique, and I've already primed 6 more gallery wraps for more vintage Santas!  By the way, this is the Santa I found on Main Street over the weekend.  Little did he know I would be memorializing him in paint, again and again!   This painting makes 1419 in 1419 days.