Since I took yesterday off, I figured I had to get back to work today. I started with:
Annuals, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)
Added some new detail on lower right.
Moving on, I wanted to make the misty areas on this painting a little cooler; also worked on the table.
Dinner At Michael Mina, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
And painted a few places, avoiding wet areas:
The Happy Hour, 2.0, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
I spread all 15 of the paintings out on the floor. Here they are, in no particular order.
I changed the figure lurking in the background and am much happier with it. Also worked on the blackboard; all that tiny type is a horror story to deal with.
This is coming along quicker than I thought it would.
And— I have to do something about the disappearing leg; maybe make the floor more of an ochre color?
Done! It took a while this afternoon but I stuck with it; painstakingly placed the lines of the distant vine rows, made a couple of changes, and wrapped it up.
So now that I've managed to finish two different series, I can focus on other things.
After getting some chores out of the way, I buckled down and went to work. I started here, figuring the loose brushwork would prepare me for the tedious Size 0 brushes I was going to have to use later in the day.
I did enjoy this one.
Moving on, I decided it was time to FINISH the Glen Echo painting.
And finally, the absurd detail on the blackboard (left side):
I feel like I've been pushing it lately; working hard but not enjoying life. So I might slack off a bit over the next few days.
Today:
The Happy Hour, 2.0, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
Did some background work on this one.
Annuals, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)
The deep night sky is a wonderful foil for all of the other colors in this image. I hope the pigment I used, W&N's Blue Black, stays dark when it dries. Also sketched in the bare tree branches outside the window.
Starbucks (Homage To Hopper), work in progress, (click on image for larger view)
it's hard to believe that I spent 90 minutes diligently stroking paint on with tiny brushes (29 of them!) to try to achieve an airbrushed look wherever light falls. I was going for very gradual transitions between shadows and spotlights, and yet it looks like i did nothing. A disappointing day so far in the studio.
Starbucks (Homage To Hopper), work in progress, (click on image for larger view)
Maybe the changes will be more apparent once it dries down.
A semi-productive day.
Dolcezza has a lot of detail in the central area, so I'm slowly working my way across the canvas.
I mixed some more vivid paint for spots that needed some really striking color.
And:
Stone Tower Winery, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
I'm determined to finish this one at the next sitting. That will complete the Virginia Vineyard series.
And, I forgot to add this one in from last night. I'm trying to learn how to paint the raindrops on the window.
It's raining today, actual real rain instead of a little fizzy wetness, so I don't have to do any yard work. Here's this afternoon's work, and with a little luck, I'll even get to another piece.
I am having fun with the two new paintings. Of course, it's always this way at the beginning; later on, when the fine detail has to be painted with accuracy, it's not a bed of roses anymore.
The first of these, the new painting of the bar scene, will be tighter than the restaurant table. What attracted me about the second piece was the misty atmosphere throughout, not just on the smoky dish or the kettle the waiter is bringing. So it will be a quick and easy job.
I have a boatload of yard work to do today, but last night I did the prep work for this:
