BlueBird

Wow! I can't believe almost a week has past since my last post. Life this past week has been pretty busy... both at work and at home. I pulled in a couple late shifts last week and got my amazon book order on Saturday. I got a couple cool oil painting books (got some great ideas for colours in birds now.... ) and of course... the Harry Potter book. Well... I suppose that explains where I have been since Saturday... have had my nose in a book.



"BlueBird"
4" x 3" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


I painted this bluebird using some colour hints in my oil book. My palette on the bird was indigo blue and cerulean blue with a touch of titanium-zinc white. I think I got the right blue for this guy. I'm not too happy with the flight feathers, but, rather than mucking around with it I decided to call it done.

Resting Cardinal

This picture does not do the painting justice. I have an absolute terrible time photographing reds and yellows. In real life, there are many shades of reds with subtle hints of yellow all over the bird... and the white is not nearly as intense. When the paint dries on this one, I will definitely post a scan.



"Resting Cardinal"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


Technorati Tags: art, aceo, etsy, wwao, cardinal, oil+painting, bird

Frozen in Time, First Colour Layer

I got the first colour layer done on this painting... and judging how many layers that I've done on acrylic apples... this will be the first layer of many many layers. I've pulled out my full arsenal of reds: cadmium scarlet, napthaol red, and winsor red as well as paynes grey, titanium-zinc white, and naples yellow. I'm going to be letting this dry for a few days before I add the next layer. I'll post another update on this painting then.



Frozen in Time, Work in Progress
4" x 6" oil on canvas paper
© 2007

The Gardener

Just finished this one... and I really like the way the background turned out. There are three layers of green which, to me, really give it a nice rich colour. I used a number of blue and yellows to mix some new greens to me. My favourite blend in this painting are cruelean blue and hansa yellow light.




"The Gardener"
2.5" x 3.5" oil on canvas paper
© 2007

Frozen in Time, Griselle Layer

I am (finally) finished the griselle layer for this painting. Now... I wait until it is finished and then I apply the colour. I'm really impressed with myself on this painting, especially with the amount of detail that I managed to get.



Frozen in Time, Work in Progress
4" x 6" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


The griselle layer is a tonal layer that helps to establish the values in the painting. From seeing other artists paintings (check out Susan Borgas site for an awesome example of what can be achieved using this technique) I am really eager to see what I can achieve with this little painting.

Early Bird

Another quick little chickadee painting. I used a limited palette and am experimenting with a more loose style on the bird. My camera had a hard time capturing all the colours in the bird and sky... and when the paint dries I will post a better picture of him.



"Early Bird"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


Technorati Tags: art, chickadee, oil+painting, aceo, wwao, etsy

Little One

I should apologize for the lack of posting lately... but with the 30+ centigrade weather its really hard to motivate oneself to paint. I've painted this one over the last few days with the challenge of only using three colours: titanium-zinc white, chromatic black, and transparent red earth. I really love the soft and subtle colours that came out of this one... especially the background.



"Little One"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


Technorati Tags: art, oil+painting, chickadee, wwao, etsy

Nothin' But Blue Skies

There has been some absolutely gorgeous weather out here.... nothing but blue skies for as far as the eyes can see. The weather inspired me to paint this little guy checking out the clear view from his perch.



"Nothin' But Blue Skies"
3.5" x 2.5" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


update: I've posted a better scan of this painting. The colours are much more true to life.

Technorati Tags: art, chickadee, oil+painting, wwao, etsy, painting

Frozen in Time, WIP

Here is a bit of an update on this painting. There's just a little bit left on the apple and a few stray water splatters left to finish. Then... the fun part starts... colour!



Frozen in Time, Work in Progress
4" x 6" oil on canvas paper
© 2007

Untitled, Work in Progress

I saw this picture in the reference library on Wetcanvas and just had to give it a go. I've been learning so much about oils and griselle's lately. This, I believe, is my most ambitious painting so far in terms of subject matter. I've struggled with the 'painting what is there' versus 'painting what you think you see' notion. So, for this picture, I'm painting it upside down and that seems to be helping me get the highlights and shadows looking proper.



Untitled, Work in Progress
4" x 6" oil on canvas paper
© 2007


So far, I've only used paynes grey and titanium-zinc white with mineral spirits. Once I'm finished the grey griselle layer (and its dried) I'll be adding the colours. Stay tuned for more updates!