Running Out Of Things To Work On

 This is a variation on my usual "Everything's Wet" title; looking around the studio I realize I've worked on at least a dozen pieces and there's nothing else I want to do. So, here's this afternoon's work.

 

                           Merlot At The Madison, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)      

 

Made the neck of the bottle more visible; worked on the green marble slab and the counter top.

 

                           Variations On A Theme 2a, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)    

 
 Made some small additions to the foreground; started some branches in front of the door but had to wipe most of it off. Will try again in a few days.

Napkin And Plate

 How many times have I repainted that napkin? 6? 8? The color is elusive, somewhere between beige and grey, very utilitarian. Anyway, I had a little more success with the bluish-grey plate color today. Will keep at it until it's right.

                           Creme Brulee, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)       

Being Good

 I will not add any more color to this until the present layers dry. I will not.

                          Untitled Museum Piece, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)        

Two More For Today

 That rug was just not working out. It was busy and hectic and it was drawing too much attention away from the figure, so I'm trying to simplify. It may take some time before I figure out the right colors to use; most of the red had to go and I'm considering replacing the black with a dark brown.

                          Baby Needs Shoes, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)       
 

Meanwhile:

                            Resting Place, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)       

Completed: That Singular Moment

 Done. Not loving pastel work, but not hating it either.

                             That Singular Moment, © 2021, pastel on Canson paper (click on image for larger view)      

Bits And Pieces

 It's been a long journey on this one, and all that's left is some cleanup of stray strokes here and there. I will breathe a sigh of relief when it's done.

                            Waiting At Le Diplomate, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)       

Cambridge

 This is a chocolate shop in Cambridge, Mass, and I'm not sure whether I should put the window signage in the painting or whether it would be too distracting.

                           A Quiet Evening In Cambridge, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)       

Chocolate

 I worked on the chocolate drips this afternoon; they're almost black in the thicker areas, and kind of reddish-brown around the edges. All that's left is to refine the plate edges and finish the green rings.

                            Six Layer Indulgence, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)      

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

 I have two more of these nearly done, and then I have to finish two more to complete the series. This is the beginning of the work on the second-to-last. I just put down the second coat of black for the background; hopefully, with the next coat it'll end up being that silky-smooth surface I'm looking for. Then the fun begins with the plate and what's on it!

                          Molten Chocolate With Gelato, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)      

Finished! Cherry Cobbler

 And another one down...

Four more to go.

                            Cherry Cobbler, © 2021 (click on image for larger view)      

As Promised

I did get back to this one this morning, and made some progress on the figures.

                            Straight Ahead, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)      

 

Somewhat Better

The face— which I really want to get right before I do too much else to the painting— is finally moving in the right direction. The eye on viewer's right looks like it should, or at least the placement is better— I still have to get the eye on the left in agreement with it. The skin color's better. (At least she doesn't look like she's ill.)

More on this one tomorrow, I'm packing it in for the day.

                            Straight Ahead, detail, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)     

 

Progress At Last

 This is finally beginning to shape up. All those 90-degree corners and arches are a real pain in the neck, but I'm getting a handle on them. Plus, I painted in some of the owl in the front of the door. Next I have to bring in more foliage at the lower left, just peeking over the door.

                             Variations On A Theme 2a, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)     

Deeper And Darker

 I can already see that I'm going to have to go over the entire left hand side again, after floating a glaze of Payne's Gray over most of it. I wanted a sense of depth, but for some reason it looks flatter; also, I want to bump back up some of the lighter areas without letting them get too distracting. That was the original problem: the details in the corner were fighting for attention with the central figures.

                           Merlot At The Madison, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)     

Well, you learn as you go.

Two To Start

 I'm getting a late start to a week in which I'd intended to get a lot done; had to run several errands this morning after I overslept, so the better part of the working day is already gone. But I did add more color and blending to the street light piece, and got a little further on the museum one.

                             That Singular Moment, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)     

                             Untitled Museum Piece, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)