Red Shutters

Red Shutters
Oil on unstretched canvas, 6x4
2/100 - The {100} Artists
auction - bid here

This is my 2nd of 100 paintings in the "buildings" theme for "The {100} Artists.  Working very small, I was careful today to paint on the gessoed side of the canvas.  I did not do that yesterday - and that canvas soaked up my paint like a sponge, making every stroke much harder than it should be!  It is very challenging using my large knife on such a tiny substrate, I must see if I can get smaller knives for this work.  I will let this one rest for today, and look with fresh eyes in the morning - I think it is calling for some cooler tones in the upper left corner.....painting number 817 in 817 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!

Rue du Le Barroux

Rue du Le Barroux
Oil on panel, 12x9
Purchase Information

Thank goodness, one of my Tri-County friends sent me a text reminder about today's workshop!  One of my dear friends was giving a demo - and brought many of her reference shots from her recent painting trip to France!  I did not want to miss this, but alas, I almost did!  Arriving late, I got there just in time to start painting.  Picking out a couple of my favorite shots, I started in on this lovely street scene in Le Barroux.  I painted most of this with my brushes, but did finish off the masses with my palette knife.  New on the palette today - Gamblin's caucasian skin, cad chartreuse, and nickel titanate yellow.  You can see these paints used all over this painting, in the foliage, on the stone buildings and the street.  I think this may only be my second or third cityscape ever, so I still think I need a lot more practice!  Perhaps I will start painting some of the Google Earth street views, as so many other artists do......or maybe I should just get to travel more!  Painting number 591 in 591 days :)