Indy - Finished!!

Indie
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indy - The Final Stretch - Step 11

I haven't posted for a couple days, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been painting... I am on the final home stretch with this sweet little girl... I have finished her head and almost all her muzzle (just a little left on the right side) and then all I have is the neck which should not take that long. The extra layer of glaze has added to much life and depth to the painting and also has made it easier to add in the fine detail (such as the little hairs). One final note of accomplishment on my part... this whole painting has been done with six colours. In the background: Naples yellow, titanium white, and light blue violet. Indy: Titanium white, light blue violet, transparent red earth, ivory black, and quinacridone gold.


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indy - Almost Done - Step 10

Listening to a little good music with some wonderfully tastey Christmas goodies (courtesy of the world's greatest neighbors) tonight while steadily painting this sweety. All 'first' layers are now done and a good chunk of the second layer is now done. I don't know what I spent more time tonight doing... carefully painting hairs or carefully removing little cat and dog hairs from partially wet paint. sigh. Oh well, you gotta love them!


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Autumn Colours - Bird #47

I know this little guy is a little out of season... I was cleaning up my desk/easel area and came across him... Besides a little colour in between snow storms is always a welcomed sight!


Autumn Colours
2.5" x 3.5" watercolour
© 2010

Night Comes - Bird #46

Another little chickadee tonight while Indy dries....


Night Comes
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Snowy Perch - Bird #45

Indy's portrait is drying (added another layer to the background....) so I thought I would paint up a little chickadee winter scene.


Snowy Perch
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Indy - Work in Progress Step 10

I am almost finished this sweeties portrait... still letting the lower neck dry a little, but I have started the final upper detail layer around her eyes and ears. And boy does it make a difference! It is hard to tell in the photos... but there is an extra layer of depth that really adds to the portrait.



Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010




detail
© 2010

Pet Portrait Work in Progress - Step 9

I am almost finished the first layer of this sweetie... though, a bit further behind that I hoped. A family emergency this last week and a bit meant that I was not able to spend time at the easel. Life is slowly returning to normal which means more painting will happen.


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Spider -Work in Progress, Step ??

Not sure what step... but I think I may be almost finished this guy's little portrait. I'm still deciding on the overall colour (and a few little details here and there). Then... if I see no changes over the next couple days, it will be varnished and framed and sent to his new owner. I hope I've captured a good likeness of Spider.


Spider
4" x 4" watercolour on Aquaboard
© 2010

Pet Portrait, Indie - Work in Progress Step 8

I've been babysitting my puppy the last couple of days (she was spayed yesterday) so while she is sleeping comfortably I've been working on Indie's portrait again. I'm super happy with the way her face has turned out and all that is left now is her lower jaw and her neck. Then, a couple of days for this layer to dry and I'll start working on the final touches.


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Christmas Dreaming - Bird #44

I finished this jolly little fellow this weekend... and I'm pretty darn happy with the way it turned out. The background took a couple of glazes of blue to tone down the original salty-snowflakes, but in the end I think the look I was going for was achieved. Now, just waiting for the thumbs up and off it goes!


Christmas Dreaming
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Christmas Dreaming - Work in Progress Step 2

Spent a little while tonight slowly glazing blues into the background and I am finally happy with the way it looks. The snowflakes are noticeable... but too much. Tomorrow, I'll be adding in the chickadee and the tree and then it will be finished.


Christmas Dreaming
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Christmas Dreaming - Work in Progress

Yes, I know... another new work in progress. This little guy is actually going to be a companion painting to the two little guys I finished last night. I tried the salt effect again... though, this time I think it might be a little too predominate so I will probably give it a wash or two tomorrow with another blue just to knock it back a little. I have a bit of a deadline on this one (this Friday) so there will definitely be an update tomorrow!


Christmas Dreaming
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Blue Tits, Christmas Commission - Bird #43

I'm finished! And I just love how these two little guys turned out. Now... onto the next painting. :)


Blue Tits
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Moleskin Pear Sketch

No new painting tonight (just long lineups everywhere I had to go on all the errands I had to run), so I thought I would post a sketch from my beloved moleskin sketchbook (I love it so much, I bought a second one!). I try to sketch from life, though sometimes I do break down and sketch from a photo, and this one is no exception. It was part of my lunch and yes, it was a rather tasty pear.


Lil' Sketch
watercolour and ink
© 2010

Pet Portrait, Indie - Work in Progress

An update on Indie's portrait tonight.... I've gotten a little more done on her face and I've started working on her neck. Once done the this first layer, I'll be going back over with another layer (or two) tweaking the shadows, highlights and adding a few hairs in select locations.

I have to admit that I am really enjoying the process of painting this large and painting someone's pet. Had me thinking about painting my own guys and more pet portraits for others.



Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Christmas Commission - Part 3

I'm almost done these cute little guys... will definitely be finished tomorrow. Then, approval from their new owner and off to the UK! My favourite part... the salt effect in the background. It adds just enough texture without being too much. I have to admit it is one of my favourite techniques (when it works that is).



untitled
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Christmas Commission - Step 2

I hope you aren't getting tired of all the works-in-progress lately... I do finish them, honestly! A little further on these cute little guys (whose destination is the UK). Only another session (or two) and they will be done and off to their new owner! Then back to Indie's portrait.



untitled
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Christmas Commission

Working on a Christmas commission while the paint dries on Indie's portrait, a cute little couple of Blue Tits. This is going to be so much fun to paint!


untitled
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Indie - Work in Progress Step 6

I tackled the background today, giving it a slight taupe/naples yellow colour... just enough to add some warmth to the painting, but not enough to take away from the portrait. This is going to need a few days to dry before I can continue on the painting.


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indie - Work in Progress Step 5

Indie's face is really starting to come together. Tonight I spent a couple of hours working on her left side and her ear... still sticking to my simple palette of browns, white, blue, and black. I am really loving the versatility of these colours and how well the portrait is tied together.


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010


I've realized tonight that I haven't posted any pic's of my new puppy... She is a sweety and her and my other puppy have really started to become good friends.



© 2010

Indie - Work in Progress Step 4

I've managed to get a little more done on Indie in between the sniffles and the sneezing. This cold business is really starting to wear me down. sigh. Anyways... Indie's portrait is really starting to look good and I am really happy with the way it is turning out. Only real challenge yet is what colour to make the background....


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indie - Work In Progress Step 3

A little bit further tonight....




Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indie - Work in Progress Step 2

A little further on this cute little lady tonight... though, there is plenty still to do. I've started working on her muzzle and around the eyes, leaving the details in the hair for the second pass. So far, my palette has been pretty limited: titanium white, paynes grey, light blue violet, quinacridone gold, and transparent earth orange (all Daniel Smith colours).


Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Indie - Work in Progress

It has been a busy couple of weeks full of flakey internet access, a head cold, and a new puppy that I haven't had a chance to update (or paint) this blog. Though... I did manage to get started on this Christmas commission of an adorable boxer. Eyes and nose first (almost done the nose) and then I will begin filling in the fur.



Indie , WIP
10" x 10" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Journey Home - Work in Progress

I didn't get as much studio time this weekend... been busy canning and getting the fall gardening done. Though, I did manage to start a new sunset painting (based off a photo on a drive home on fall evening last year). It is not the greatest photo (some of the subtle colour seemed to have been lost), but I will post a better photograph when I get a bit more done. Unlike my last sunset painting, I will be doing this one in a couple stages. Today I blocked in the major colours and then when this layer is pretty much dry I will glaze in some of the cloud structures. Stay tuned!


Journey Home , WIP
5" x 7" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Brothers - Bird #42

A fun little wintery painting (possibly my Christmas card for this year) today... perhaps a season ahead of time, but... with the cool weather the last couple of days it sure feels like it is going to snow.



Brothers
4" x 4" watercolour and ink
© 2010

First Signs of Fall - Bird #41

A quick little painting tonight... It felt like it has been ages since I last painted a chickadee so I had to rectify that.


First Signs of Fall
3.5" x 2.5" watercolour
© 2010

Heirloom Tomato

Today's painting, inspired by Jonathan Aller's wonderful step-by-step demonstrations, was my first 'plein air' painting using one of my own grown heirloom tomatoes (freshly picked this morning). This was an awesome exercise in both trying to recreate colours without using my gimp program and finishing a painting in one setting. I definitely see more of this type of painting in my future... in fact, I've already ordered another bath of 5x7 gessoboards. Lots of fun!!


Heirloom Tomato
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Patiently Waiting - Bird #40

Spent some time in the studio today (way to drizzly outside to work in the garden) and I was able to finish this little guy. I struggled a little with the feathers on the body, but I think I managed to capture the fluffy-ness effectively. Now... on to the next painting!


Patiently Waiting
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Squiggy - aka Angry Cat

A quick break from painting for this sketch of my beloved Squiggy cat with one of his many expressions... this time it was angry cat and how he looked after the puppy came home. I just love his expression! ... almost like he is contemplating some evil plan.


Squiggy Cat, ink
© 2010

Another layer on the Grapes Painting

A busy weekend so far, though I managed to add a few more layers to my grapey painting... It is hard to see (sorry), I haven't quite figured out how to properly capture reds and oranges with my camera.... I'll try again in the daylight tomorrow. In real life, the multiple layers of oil are starting to add to the semi-transparent nature of the grapes that I am trying to capture and I am truely excited to see the final painting. :)


untitled
16" x 16" oil
© 2010

Untitled, work in progress

I am terribly sorry about the lack of posting this month (I can't believe August is almost half over!!)... but, I have been busy with the outside tending to my garden and other outdoor activities. It has just been too nice outside to be inside. Though, when it hasn't been nice outside I've been working on a couple of oil painting and this guy (in watercolour) who is yet unnamed. There isn't too much left to him... just a few little details and then on to the next painting!


untitled
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Step ?? On "Apple Splash"

Please pardon the light glare.... it was late and I had no natural light left. This painting has been a marathon in itself, starting it nearly two years ago (I think). I am not sure what 'step' this is a photo of... but I do know that I am on the home stretch with it. Just working on the final detailing of the water drops and the splash. Then... framing it and hanging it on the wall!


Apple Splash, work in progress
11" x 14" oil on canvas
© 2010

Cherry Still - Finished!

I found some painting time today (think 'in the studio' painting time, being doing some painting/staining outside on the deck) and finished this one just in time to send meet the rookiepainter.com painting challenge! I decided to leave it as a black and white painting as I really liked the monochromatic-ness (is that even a word?) of the painting.


Cherry Still
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Cherry Still - Update #2

A little further on this one tonight.... The cherries are really starting to pop with the background starting to go in. Just a little more, a few splashes of white highlights and then I'm done!


Cherry Still, work in progress
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Cherry Still

I'm letting the paint dry on the apple splash painting... and thought I would try a challenge I saw on RookiePainter . I'm not done yet (letting the paint dry...lost my whites, kinda muted grey now) though I have until Monday to complete if I want to submit in the challenge. I think this one might just stay a black and white style painting....


Cherry Still, work in progress
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

No New Painting....

No new painting tonight (it has been a really busy last couple of days), but I thought I would share a picture of my kitten... not sure exactly what I did to piss him off... but, he is definitely not a happy camper. More painting to come this weekend.


© 2010

Still More on Apple Splash

Life has gotten a bit busy again... though, I did manage to get a little more done on this painting. I am happy with the modeling of the apple, so that means now on to the details. This glazing pass was concentrated on the drops on the lower left hand corning and around the center of the apple. The next step will be on the upper left and right sides... stay tuned for more.



Apple Splash, work in progress
11" x 14" oil on canvas
© 2010

Purple Pansy

Something a little different for me tonight.... a large (for me) flower, specifically my favourite flower... the pansy. I will, one day, master the painting of the flower... even if it takes me 100+ paintings.



Purple Pansy
5" x 7" watercolour
© 2010

Happy Canada Day

I started this series of painting last year (Summer Treats 1, 2, and 3) and thought I would add another little cherry to the collection. I love painting cherries and I think I just might paint another!


Summer Treat #4
3.5" x 2.5" watercolour
© 2010

Time for My Closeup - Bird #39

Had a pretty busy weekend... but, did manage to get a little painting done. This cheeky little guy seems to be posing for the camera.


Time for My Closeup
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Lunch on the Go - Bird #38

My goal of finishing some of my 'on the easel' paintings is working as today I have finished another painting that has been sitting on my easel far too long. The green was a big challenge on this one... and through the process I have learned a few new green mixes that I will have to try on the next one. I also think I need to practice painting leaves....



Lunch on the Go
4" x 6" watercolour
© 2010

Dinner Guest - Bird #37

Had a productive day in the studio today: did some much needed cleaning and organizing and I managed to start and finish this little guy. The oil painting from yesterday is still a little on the wet side, so I think tomorrow will be another watercolour day.



Dinner Guest
6" x 4" watercolour
© 2010

The Gardener - Work in Progress

I was hoping to finish this little guy today... but, after covering it mostly with oil paint... I found I just couldn't hold the painting in any reasonable way to allow me to add any more paint... So, I'm going to wait for a day or so for the paint to slightly dry before continuing. Tomorrow I think will be a watercolour day.


The Gardener
5" x 7" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

untitled Chickadee - Work in Progress

Starting working tonight on another chickadee painting (sorry for the bad photo... lighting conditions was not the greatest) while the various paint mixes for the little fellow were still fresh in my mind. I don't think I have ever tried painting pansys in oil before and so far so good... only a few more to paint, finish the chickadee and add a sky and this little fellow will be done.


untitled
5" x 7" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Sunny Days - Bird #36

It has been awhile since I last painted a chickadee using oil paints and it took me a little longer than anticipated to figure out my colour mixes... that.... and I am painfully slow at painting flowers.


Sunny Days
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010

Happy Life

Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

-- Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180), Roman emperor and philosopher

Sunny Days - Work in Progress

I'm in the mood to paint chickadees right now (I haven't painted on in oil for a really long time) so last night, this guy perched himself on my easel. I decided to try him on gessoboard and I have to admit that I am really enjoying the texture and feel of painting on gessoboard... I think I just might have to order some more soon.


Sunny Days, work in progress
7" x 5" oil on gessoboard
© 2010