Santa & the Jester

Santa & the Jester
Acrylic on masonite, 6x6

I love the sound of rain hitting the roof!  It is especially good when I have finished most of my chores for the day, and I can pick up my brushes and paint!  This season finds me drawn to capturing Santa in nostalgic scenes, and doing so in black and white!  On this one, I have used mars black and titanium white, with the tiniest bit of red oxide to warm the tone.  This lovely nutcracker was another supplied to me by Candy - and this is only the second time I have painted one in black and white!  This jester had so many colors of equal value that it made the painting of him more difficult.  I needed to push lighter and darker to give him form.  He does have such wonderful colors....I think I will have to do him in color, too - before the season is gone and I move onto snowy landscapes!! Painting number 1089 in 1089 days - now back to family time!

Santa & the Nutcracker

Santa & the Nutcracker
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Tonight, I am merging my Santa theme with my Nutcracker theme - and voila! - Santa is putting the finishing touches on his nutcracker!  I really love the vintage feel of painting in black and white, and on this painting I have warmed that black with a little red oxide - which give the darks a lovely warm tint.  I found a wonderful old photo album that I had borrowed from my parents today, and the very first photos were of my favorite grandma!  It brought tears to my eyes!  I have been thinking of her so much lately, and I still miss her even though she has been gone some time now.  I will be taking that album to this weekend's Christmas dinner at my cousin's house.  That whole side of the family will be there, and most of them are in it, too!  What a wonderful gift to see her again on the pages of that album.  Painting number 1086 in 1086 days.

Thoughtful Santa

Thoughtful Santa
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

Tonight, I am returning to impressionism using only my Mars Black and Titanium White. With a short 30 minute painting window (the time remaining before heading out to see the new Star Wars movie), I blocked in the values.  Working fast, I had this almost finished before I was rushed out the door by my family! Just now coming back to my easel for those finishing touches - I wonder why I don't do more of this?  I do so love portraiture!  It feels SO good to get into the paints in this way - like coming home for Christmas!  I really want to dig deep into portraits in the coming year - I feel them pulling at me even now!  Painting number 1084 in 1084 days.  What will I paint tomorrow?