Turning A Corner

This painting has had me worried for a long time, and I've made a lot of changes to it from the beginning. I've finally settled on a wall color that works well, redrawn the guy, changed the color of the tablecloth, and softened the trees and the paintings on the wall. Now when I look at it, it feels harmonious. And I think it'll  make the deadline!

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

The Restaurant Goes Darker

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Taxi Cabs

Here's an hour and a half of painting: placing the taxis and their tail lights in the proper places is really a time drain. But they're part of the magic of the city at twilight.

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Developing The Big Pictures

Here's what's been happening over the last few days:

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

I did a lot in the upper right-hand corner, but it doesn't look like much. Meanwhile, the lights are beginning to come on in the one below:

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Painting The Wall

I like this color! It makes the faces light up, and it pulls together the two paintings on the wall and the hill outside the window. I may need to go over it one more time to even out the blotchiness (which doesn't look as bad in person), but I do think it's working pretty well.

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

That's It For The Night

I'm falling asleep, but here's the last painting for the night. Worked on the rooftops and trim on the brownstones at lower left.

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Making Adjustments On Selfies

I think I put in about three hours on this one; some places needed the color adjusted, or the perspective was off on the tables, etc. So much work left to do. Did some more finessing on the folds of the jacket; I'm happy with the way it looks now. I did get to the shopping bag, though.

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Restaurant Work

Two hours this morning:

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Skyline

I blocked in the buildings that run down the street but they need to be softened.

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Sunset Light On The Chrysler Building

I took the reference photo for this painting on an overcast day, so the light on the building was diffused. The painting itself has been looking a little dull to me; I'd painted the sky as a deepening sunset to give it a little interest, but recently I realized that if it were a true picture of a sunset, the west side of the building could be lit up by the warm rays of the sun. There are just slivers of orange-y color, but I think it's enough to bring the building to life.

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Adjustments

Some of the buildings needed their color adjusted. The church in particular had a couple of walls in the shadows that didn't match each other. Also, I switched from blue-grey to a more violet blue for a couple of walls on the right side. But most of today's work was painting in more tiny details on the roof lines.

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Refining The Denim Jacket

Every time I've looked at the jacket lately, I've wanted to make the folds softer, more rounded in form. Here's this morning's work:

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Next time: that white shopping bag...

 

Getting A Late Start

Had to visit the car shop this morning, a chore I always hate doing (mostly because the shop is 10 miles away) but I try to make the best of it by picking up some art supplies on the trip. It takes a big chunk out of the most productive working time of the day, though, and the pressure from having to finish 5 more paintings for the show just makes it that much worse.

Worked along the lower three panels on this one:

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

You won't be able to see much progress on thi next one, since all of the work was done in the shadows:

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Sunlight On Buildings

Last one for the evening! My eyes are starting to cross.

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Another Big Change

I'm trying out yet another wall color, this time an olive green, which I'm hoping will pull together the trees outside the window and the two paintings on the wall. It might— like the blue I tried earlier— be too subdued; I'll have to live with it for a few days.

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

I think I'm going to make the tablecloth white.

Thunder And Rain, More Murals

Another hour of work, mostly on the center mural— I see there are themes to them; music, transportation, sports, etc.  It's a dark and very wet day here, not the kind of natural light conducive to painting.

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Murals, Softly Lit

Part of the charm of this scene is the colorful murals on the back wall. I've been trying to establish the base shapes and colors, then once they're dry, I'll go back and refine them.

Here's one hour of work this morning; it's slow going.

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

A Big Change

This painting has problems. The initial image, which I worked very hard to get, really charmed me, but I got hung up in the color and value in the back wall. Then, the more people I showed it to, and the more input I got on it, the more confused I became. What should I do? Should I make the two paintings on the back wall less bright? Should I knock back the view outside the window? Should the back wall be darker, or have more shadows?

Anyway, today I had it here in the upstairs studio where I could assess the various problems, and I noticed something completely different: the guy's head was way too small. So I've redrawn it, along with the rest of him.

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Ouch

I'm dead tired. We don't think of painting as a physical activity, and certainly not a stressful one, but my back hurts from hunching over at the easel for the last 2-1/4 hours. Most of it spent on the two right side middle panels. The stripes on the girl's pants are beginning to appear. Time for another break.

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Monday Morning; Tiny Brush Strokes

Haven't quite finished my morning coffee yet, but have put in about an hour on this one. Time for a quick break.

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Laying Down The Asphalt

Before I can go any further on this piece, I needed to do a couple of things: first, establish the basic road color of Lexington Avenue; then determine the angles of the road markings so they're in perspective. (The vanishing point is on the far right of the scene, a few inches up from the bottom.) Later, the road surface will reflect the color from the taillights of the cabs, which I can't wait to get to! They are such a pretty, glowing red-orange.

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

The Big Giant Hand Nears Completion

I keep finding little places on this piece that aren't quite done yet, so every time I start to work on it, they slow me down. At this point, there's only touch-up on the hand itself, where two different tones meet; the softening needed in the little framed picture in the upper-right hand corner; and the UPC bar codes on the brush's white label.

The Hand Of The Artist, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

This painting is coming along quickly— I filled in some more white areas today— but I still worry about the deadline.

 

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

On to more stuff later today.

 

Jumping Around

The good thing about the larger pieces is that if you're pressed for time you can work different areas without worrying that you're going to smear something you painted the day before. Today I did the middle panel on the left, the one where the guy is eating a sandwich.

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Next sitting, I'll do the girl on the right.

"Closing Up" Starts To Develop

Last night's work, and then a little more this morning:

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

One Down. Five To Go.

Finished, just a little while ago:

Three Women At The Corcoran, © 2018 (click on image for larger view)

 

Meanwhile, I'm freaking out about the painting below. Here's how things work: I fall in love with a moment, with a scene, whatever. I take a photo of it. Then I try to fix it on canvas or panel so it can be a shared experience; but the operative word here is love. Even the act of painting has elements of care to it: attention to detail in both planning and execution, stroking on the paint in as careful a way as possible to communicate the basic idea, fixing areas that aren't working correctly, etc. 

I've received input from at least three different sources (all of whom I trust) on the painting, and now I'm just more confused than ever before. Should the window scene be toned back with atmospheric perspective, or should it feature the golden light of sunset? How dark should the back wall be? I feel like I'm getting away from that initial rush of falling in love with the image, and now I've lost my way.

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Plugging Along

This really is no fun at all. I feel like a draft horse. Still, I continue to work on the tiny details of Brooklyn and Selfies, and hope that the paint dries more quickly on Closing Up; those are the three that I've had to prioritize. The other pieces need lesser amounts of work.

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Selfies is not looking too bad! Of course, there are hours of work ahead on it, but I like the way the color is developing.

 

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Worked the building detail up above the skyline and on the left side. A tree appears, growing in Brooklyn!

Buildings!

So, here's last night's work, and this afternoon's.

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

There sure are a lot of tiny windows in this one.

Moving on—

Chrysler Building, Dusk, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

An Artist Friend Visits

One of my friends came over today to deliver some aluminum panels that he'd ordered for me, have lunch, and visit my studio. It's always helpful to have someone whose eye and advice you trust view your work and give you input. We had a good time talking shop and enjoying the subs he'd brought from an Italian deli.

After he left, I received a message from a company in New York that does art consulting with high end clients. Now, usually, I ditch requests like this one as soon as I see them in my inbox, because they're all scams. But this one appears to be legitimate. I'll continue to investigate, but if it's real, it's a nice opportunity to do some large landscapes.

This afternoon's work:

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Narrowing Things Down

A return trip to the gallery was useful; we discussed what I have available and what my gallery owner really wants to show. As a result, I can spend my time concentrating on 8 paintings instead of the 12-14 I had originally planned on doing.

Last night's work:

Selfies, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Now I'm Not So Sure About The Water

There are a couple of areas which, under scrutiny, probably should be changed. That long, unbroken teal line on the left, for one. This afternoon I worked on the figure's skin but the garment needs some attention. I'd hoped this would be finished by now.

Finding A Shell, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Meanwhile: bottles. Lots and lots of bottles.

 

Waiting At Le Diplomate, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

 

Hitting The Ground Running

No time to waste if I want to present a show of really good work. Two from this morning and early afternoon:

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

There's a lot more color in the darker sections in the above painting; I had to shoot it with its back to the window in order to keep the glare down on the wet parts. But ultimately, those areas will go darker anyway. Once the mural is sketched in, it'll have more interest.

Last night I spent almost an hour looking back and forth from this piece to its reference photo. It needs a lot of adjustment here and there, but I have a better understanding of how the light and color work. Today I added some peach and blue tones to the mannequin just above the figure, and then tightened up the detail on the figure's coat.

The Gauntlet, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Sunday Painting

So much left to do on this; I worked the left side in an effort to keep from smearing. Used a mahl stick as well.

The Gauntlet, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Here's a detail of the taller buildings in the background of the Brooklyn painting— I'm putting in some of the windows and trim:

 

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn (detail), © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

And the whole piece:

 

When I Woke Up I Was In Brooklyn, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

 

After, And Before

Two views of a work in progress. The top one is where the painting is now, the lower one is at an earlier point when I thought it was hopeless. I've seen many an artist who can expertly handle the vivid colors of the sunrise/sunset skies, and just as many who use lurid color and fail. I think I'm in the latter category most of the time when I try to do one of these... but anyway, after a lot of intense observation and repainting, it looks halfway decent.

Morning Light, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Morning Light, earlier version, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Today is Sunday, with nothing on the schedule. 

I Think The Water Is Finished

All that's left now is the figure.

Finding A Shell, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Filling in the blanks on the newest piece: I always think I've mixed the right color, and then I put it on the canvas and it needs to be lighter or darker or bluer or whatever. So there will be a lot of adjustment in the coming weeks.

Closing Up, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

No Fooling Around

I had planned to catch up on some of the housework today (and I still might do some vacuuming during break time) but now the priority has to be getting these paintings done in time for the show. Last night i went back to The Chair, and worked, actually, on the chair itself (many many tiny rectangles of woven rattan) and the reflections on the table top.

The Chair, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Also redrew some lines on the Chrysler building painting. This morning I attacked the perspective lines that make up the floor tiles on:

 

Waiting At Le Diplomate, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Of course, under pressure one always makes mistakes and I made several. But it seemed like a good idea to push on with it instead of putting the painting aside. Now I'm about to start on Finding A Shell. There goes Saturday...

 

Try To Remain Calm

So, I took the paintings to the gallery, and unexpectedly, in the middle of a nice chat about vacations, my gallery owner asks "How many paintings have you got?" Well, this is an open-ended question, as I probably have about 200 here in the house, some of them dating from the 1970s. Turns out she has decided to have a show in late September and wants me to exhibit alongside an abstractist painter.

I have 12-13 paintings in progress right now, but can I have them ready by late September? I'm trying not to freak out, but this is a good opportunity.

A Trip To The Hardware Store

Five paintings are going in to the local gallery tomorrow, and I needed to pick up some hanging hardware for three of them, plus run another errand. So that took up the morning. It always irks me when I have to leave the house and take time away from painting, but I did get a lot done earlier this week, so taking a break was not too guilt-inducing. Plus, I need to see other human beings in the real world now and then.

Got back, and did two things: lightened the wall again in For Rent, and concentrated on the gauge and handle in the fire extinguisher painting.

For Rent, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

I'm still not completely satisfied with the wall color. This is going to need yet another layer. Am also in the process of extending the elements on the right side, and taking out what was a wall but not really adding anything sensible to the narrative.

 

In Case Of Emergency, © 2018, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

This is looking alright to me. Of course there's a lot left to do, but so far, so good. 

 

Must go and clean up some edges on the work going out tomorrow; hope I get a chance to  do some more painting tonight.