Sending Off The Old Year

 It feels wrong to call 2022 the old year; it was just last month, wasn't it; that we greeted 2022? Time seems to be passing very quickly in these strange times.

Last night I spent a happy hour or so watching TV out of the corner of my eye while I worked on the painting below. My painting buddy, D., is right; it takes a long time to lay down that grisaille. And I can see that I need both better light and a larger brush, as the paint looks streaky in places.

                              The Happy Hour, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)       

Today I worked on this little landscape. It might even be finished. 

                                           The Pond In The Woods, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                    

Nice

 The "S" in 'S Nice was almost invisible against the grey wall behind it, so I darkened it and added a little blue green to contrast with the orange lettering. I'll add back the "S" next session. Also worked on the two figures, but since they're the focus of the piece, I have to think of some way to make them more engaging.

                                   'S Nice, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)   

A Somewhat Better Figure

 That little figure has been bothering me quite a lot, so this afternoon I paid attention to the skin planes, trying for more contrast between light and dark and trying to get the proportions right.

                                       Starbucks, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 

Window Work

 I found some better reference for what's going on outside the window by looking at the street scene on Google Maps. Of course, much has changed since I took the original photo— for one thing, the bistro itself is no longer there— but I was able to ascertain what the buildings across the street look like, and to determine that the odd figure right outside the window was, in fact, a statue holding a menu. I've taken him out since all he would do otherwise is confuse the viewer.

                             A Rainy Evening In Alexandria, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

Dark And Light

If Persephone is emerging from the Underworld, she would be coming out of darkness into light. Right now the right side of the canvas is heavy on yellow-greens, while the left and bottom are dark. I don't know if I should make adjustments or leave it the way it is.

                                Persephone, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 

Blue

 The skin colors on Persephone are going to be tricky; the model was standing in part sun, part shade, and the shady parts are definitely blue, not pink. But I'm having fun with the hair!

                                Persephone, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 

One Face Is Working, At Least

 Felipe is coming along quickly and nicely. Next time I will work on his shirt and tie.

                                 Felipe, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

Light Effects

 Today I worked on the effects of light coming through the window: the floor tiles, the bluish cast on the wall, the contour of the figure, etc.

                                       Starbucks, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

Repainting

 I wonder how many times I'm going to have to repaint this one and the other portrait before I get them right...

                                     Ivy Alcove, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

The Time Between Christmas and New Year's

 Historically, I have trouble doing anything of value in this dead-of-winter time. I am trying to force myself to paint, and am wondering if it's such a good idea; my head is not in the game and I may be making errors in judgement as far as color and brushwork are concerned. 

All of yesterday was devoted to poring through a Christmas gift of a Regency-era romantic novel, and unfortunately I looked up the premier writer of that genre, a Georgette Heyer, and ended up downloading one of her books after finishing the first one. So now I am mired in the intrigues of the Regency era (think Jane Austen) and am having trouble concentrating on painting. 

Nevertheless, I added a lot of foliage to:

                                 The Pond In The Woods, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

Solstice

 The sun is down for the last time in its southernmost spot, over the neighbors' garage. After this, I'm told, it will start moving back north again and the days will grow longer. It's freezing cold out and time to bring the bird feeders in, but here's the last of this afternoon's work.

                                 Starbucks, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 

Violet Light

 Because it was a rainy evening when I took the reference photo for this painting, the dusk light outside the window threw a violet cast on everything nearby. It made for some interesting colorations on the table.

     A Rainy Evening In Alexandria, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

Sometimes Ya Gotta Make Changes

 The reflections on the window weren't working. There was a large, dark blotchy area made by a van parked at the curb, and it wasn't doing anything to create a good narrative. So I took it out today; I'll have to go back in next time to unify the newly painted places with the old, and I want to darken the area behind the letter "S" darker anyway.

                                   'S Nice, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)    

             
 Later I'll add a plant and a handbag to the left side of the counter.

Simplifying The Sidewalk

There's a lot going on in this painting, a lot to look at. I realized I don't have to paint every crack and blotch in the sidewalk, but need to keep it simple so the eye can focus on what's important.

                               3:51, Mulberry Street, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

Felípe Comes Into Focus

 Morning work:

                               Felipe, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Night Work #11: Figures

 Last night I concentrated mostly on the figures. I thought I was doing a good job on the hood on the shoulders of the man on the left, but in the light of day can see that it looks like a dead ferret. So that will have to be changed. I got pretty far with the sweater on the man on the right, but that needs to be finished. All in all, though, I'm more pleased with the way this is shaping up than with anything else I'm working on.

                              The Happy Hour, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                    

Nope

 I managed to ruin the nose, and the rest of the face still looks wrong to me. Darkened the background but I think it could go even darker. Next session, will address these issues.

                                    Ivy Alcove, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Another One Bites The Dust

So I actually finished another painting. I like this one a lot. The mysterious light emanating from the street lamps is what attracted me to the scene; it reminds me a bit of Magritte's Empire Of Night and Day.

                                  Transitional Moment, © 2022 (click on image for larger view)    
 

More Dessert

 Some glazing on the plate today, and some fun painting chocolate sauce.

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

Further Work On The Profiteroles

 Added some highlights to the plate and did more to the pastries themselves.

                             Profiteroles, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Felipe In Color

 Morning work:

                               Felipe, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Felipe Makes His Appearance

 It's time to pick up on the America series again. I had to stop for a while during the Covid epidemic, because I wasn't leaving the house and meeting new people. And actually, it looks like we're in for another bout of it, but I think I can find a way around it.

                               Felipe, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Picking Up Where I Left Off

It's been ages since I worked on this, and I remember the last time I did I was completely baffled about how to paint the pastries. This afternoon I sat down at the easel and immediately knew how to do it, what colors to mix, where exactly to place the paint, etc. It's funny how the mind works.

                              Profiteroles, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

Done

 Yes! I have finished the very tall Resting Place.

                               Resting Place, oil on panel (click on image for larger view)                   

 

Down To Tiny Changes

 There's almost nothing left for me to do here. I don't like the break on the face between the light and medium value planes; the other face needs to be brightened up a bit. And I need to change the color of a plate on the right side. I'll scrutinize it for any other details.

                              Daily Bread, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

Persephone Gets A Face

I painted in the profile today, but it looks like the shoulders and back are too large for the head. So Persephone may have to go on a diet next session.

                             Persephone, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

A Sense Of Light On The Floor

 The light absolutely washes in from the door and illuminates the floor tiles. I added some pale blue and concentrated on the side of the floor closest to the light.

                             Starbucks, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

Cleaning Up The Lawn Chairs

The wrought iron chairs in this image are a little complicated, and I never got a real handle on how they're put together, so my previous attempts at painting them have been a failure. I just blotted them out this morning and will wait for the paint to dry before re-drawing them. 

                              Cana Vineyards, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

'Tis Monday, I Think

 Once we get into the holiday season I tend to get the days of the week mixed up, but today is the start of what I hope will be a productive week. 

First:

                             Transitional Moment, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

 This was aggravating, as I decided the utility wires really, really, were too thick. But the idea of having to match the sky and clouds in order to thin them down was daunting. Still, it looks like it worked out. All that's left is to make the glow around the street lights more intangible.

And on to the latest iteration of the restaurant painting:

                              Daily Bread, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                    

There's still some detail work to be done on the table, and I want to get the ceiling lines right.
 

 

Coming Down To The Wire

 Every time I scrutinize this painting, I see some other area that needs to be refined. But those place are becoming fewer and fewer. The napkins on the table; the murky spot in the center where you're not sure what's happening; the edge of the table in the foreground; an alteration to the ceiling line; the aprons. These are what I'm focusing on next. Plus, the orange lampshade should really have more of a pink glow. But we're getting there!

                              Daily Bread, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   
 

Greeniness

A departure of sorts from what I've been working on lately:

                       Stone Tower Winery, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Background

I really want to get to the figure soon, but for now I've been filling in some of the blank areas. 

                              Persephone, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 
 

The View Outside The Window

 This one has been sitting around for a while, and since the paintings I need to finish are too wet to work on, I picked up on it this morning. The street scene outside the rainy central window is soft and contains a pleasant blend of colors, so it was calming to work on.

          A Rainy Night In Alexandria, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                 

Red Hair

Years ago I was on a boat when this young lady appeared at the deck railing, and I was mesmerized by her gorgeous red hair, blowing and flowing in loose curls. I kept the image on file for a long time, and am happy I finally found a way to use it.

                             Persephone, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

And Another Little Interior

 Made decent progress on this today, despite great annoyance from the cat.

                                Starbucks, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Moving Forward

 Coming down to the wire here; minor changes and cleaning up rough edges. Hopefully this will be finished by this time next week.

                                    Daily Bread, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Night Work #10

 Last night I eliminated the pinkish tinge in the lower left hand corner; I don't know which of the black pigments resulted in that color when I added white, but I used plain old Ivory Black last night.

                              The Happy Hour, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                    

The Old Year Passes

 ...and despite all my work over the last 11 months, I have little to show for it in terms of finished number of pieces. So I'd better get crackin'. 

I'm trying to concentrate on the ones requested by my gallery owners, for now.

                      Transitional Moment, work in progress, (click on image for larger view)                   

Worried that those power lines look too aggressive.

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

 Pretty much all that's left is the green edges of tree reflections on the water.