Ugh, I'm sick of working on the tiny details on the bottles and the beer dispenser. At least the top rack is done. I figure this one will be completed by the end of 2021!
This is a blog about painting: specifically, representational fine art, generally, using oil paint. I think a lot about what I'm doing, and those thoughts about subject matter, technique, influences, frustrations and delights all show up here. It's all about the journey.
Ugh, I'm sick of working on the tiny details on the bottles and the beer dispenser. At least the top rack is done. I figure this one will be completed by the end of 2021!
I don't know what the title of this piece is going to be. There will be a figure on the right at some point; I've approached three people about posing for it but so far haven't heard from anyone. I don't want to obscure the ivy that will be on the right side nook too much, either. Lots to work out.
Untitled Mulberry Street Piece, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
It's been a while since I worked on this. I'm going to prioritize this series in the next few months.This morning I sharpened up the foliage and added a lot of detail in blue areas.
Here's this morning's work. I got started an hour early.
Late this afternoon I found a really scruffy brush and used it on the distant tree line. The splayed hairs made painting the foliage easy. I started with a fuzzy sort of violet mix, then switched over to Terra Verte, which I've used maybe half a dozen times in my painting career, to cool it down, then went back with some dark greens.
And then while listening to the news, I tried to (yet again) refine the wood grain on the tabletop:
I worked quickly on this one, trying to catch the essence of the cat, but it feels like I'm just daubing without a real understanding of the form. This cat really has bedroom eyes, and that's not coming across, either. I have two reference photos, so it should be easy. At least there's some improvement, even if it's minor.
Working, despite my concerns about the next ten days.
Variations On A Theme #2a,
© 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
At the eleventh hour I've realized that there are visible grapes on the vines in this painting, so I've spent the last half hour adding some juicy purple dots here and there. What's left? Some definition on the tree limbs and branches, and maybe some more sky holes in the tree leaves. It's a good feeling to have yet another piece close to being done.
At this point, I only have to paint the butterfly pattern on the shopping bag on the right.
So, my painting "Conversation" sold over the weekend to a wonderful couple who have apparently had their eyes on it for some time. We met in a parking lot on a cold day, and I only wish the circumstances would have permitted us to go and have coffee after the sale, as they were really a delight to talk with.
Now it's Monday morning, and I've managed to put the final touches on one of the vineyard paintings:
I'm going to pack it in for the rest of the afternoon; the news is just too distracting and I can't focus on painting tiny details. But I'm narrowing the coat color choices down to yellow green and orange. I'll probably go with orange.
Having a little fun today: