Too Wet

 According to my notes, I haven't worked on this one since last Tuesday, but it's so wet in places that I'm just making a mess. I am experimenting with a little violet shadow on the skin tones, though, and I like the idea.

                                                   Plat Du Jour, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

A Job For The Visor

Though these faces are only a little smaller than the ones in the America series, they are IMPOSSIBLE to do correctly. I can't get the facial expressions right; I can't define the eye sockets correctly; it's just a major pain in the . I'm going to have to use the visor next time around, and that has its own problems.

                                                   Another 4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
 

 

Fabulous

 This is Geneva, and, like Elton, she is fabulous in every way possible. I haven't quite caught the likeness yet, but the style is there.

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

Meet Elton

 At my recent volunteer shift at the fantastic Artomatic 2024, I was able to find four more people for the America series, and I'm so excited about all of them! Here is Elton— I love everything about him, from the orange sunglasses to the necklace to his smile to the thumbs-up positivity—

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

A New Record

 Since I am driven by fear these days, I spent the entire day painting, working on 6 different pieces. Or maybe seven; I lost count. In any case, I photographed everything and here are the pictures:

                                                   The Garden Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

The Garden Room probably has more to do than any of the others. I figured on another 12 sessions when I looked at it last night. Concentrated on the figure and the floor tiles today; not sure what to do next.

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

Yes, again. Leveled the window frames on the big building. 

                                                   4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Worked from left side... Oh, wait, maybe I already uploaded this one.

                                                   Dance All Night, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
 
Tried to get a handle on the expression on the man's face. Also did some very carefull freehand painting on some of the window trim.

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

Slightly better, I think; used the ivory black instead of Payne's Gray on the upper right of the vest and it shows. Argh!

And, last but not least— SO much fun painting the tie dye—

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

One Step Closer

 Again, working left to right to finish off a few details and fill in where paint is missing. 

                                                    4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Whew

 Tired of all the small details. Also, realized the buildings in this first one were leaning a bit, like the Tower of Pisa. Am doing my best to straighten them out on the right side, but I'm afraid the left is hopeless.

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

                                                    The Garden Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Worked mainly on the rafters and door frames, hoping to keep out of the way of the previously wet areas. 

                                                    Stockton Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)
 
 Making the final pass on this one; left to right, finishing the details. Am not quite halfway across.

Can You Spot The Difference?

 I've spent the entire afternoon on this one painting, working solely on the buildings.

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

Three Today

 It's been a struggle, but I managed.

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

 

                                                   Plat Du Jour, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

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

A Better Painting Session

 It's Monday, so I squeezed out a new batch of skin tone hues and applied myself to working with very small brushes and taking my time on a couple of pieces. It's going much better than it was last week.

                                                   Another 4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

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

 

Floor Tiles

 Today I thought i'd get the basic color of the floor tiles out of the way, so next session I can work on the hanging lanterns. That way here's less of a chance of smearing. The tiles graduate subtly from light in the middle of the room to shadowed as they go to the sides. So I'm adjusting the color with a little Ivory Black and Perm Blue, while keeping the clay colors of Raw Sienna, Transparent Red Earth, and Warm White.

                                                   The Garden Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

4th Street

 More tiny faces and hands. More tree foliage, as well.

                                                    4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Down To Tiny Details

 Mainly: faces, hands, and shoes. Of course, this is not to say that I won't look at the street itself or something in the background and decide it needs an hour's worth of work, but this one is closing in on the finish line. I just hate the tediousness of these tiny areas.

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

Murky Areas

 Places under restaurant tables are a bit of a challenge; they're very dark in the reference photos but you know there's detail there and you don't want to create just a flat black space. I'm going to have to do more work on the undertable area next time around; also, I sanded back two of the faces and need to attend to those.

                                                  Plat Du Jour, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Fun With Tie Dye

 Very much enjoyed working on the silk dress today! And the face is beginning to shape up.

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

An Hour Of Blending

 I love the way the light falls off on the interior ceiling, and really wanted to tackle it today. Most of the time I look for things that will challenge my abilitites, and graduated light is one of them. It usually takes several sessions and successive layers of paint to pull it off. This ceiling might be done, or I might try to go back in one more time.

                                                   Dance All Night, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

More Of The Same

 I wanted to push a little further on this one today, concentrating on four of the figures on the right.

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

Two Heavy Hitters

 I think these are the two most important pieces to finish for the show.

Did a lot of work in the upper left-hand corner, and some of the chair legs:

                                                   The Garden Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

And I'm changing the name to The Garden Room.

Not sure about the pink building, but the figure's coming along well.

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

Tired

 Here's the only piece I worked on today:

 

                                                   Another 4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

Trying For Atmosphere

 It's still going to take another session or two to get the soft gradation on the ceiling; if I get it right, the scene should feel like light is emanating from inside the shop.

                                                  Dance All Night, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

And I worked on Shawn's purple pants and her vest:

 

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

Back To Work

 I took most of thee weekend off, and am now stressing about the deadlines again as I sit in front of the easel. 

                                                   The Green Room, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

Above: worked the lower right corner. I figure if I concentrate on limited areas I can keep from smudging by then working on the other side of the painting next session, while it dries.

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

I didn't realize how much work needs to be done on the buildings! The plan is to give this three days and then get back to it.

Balance

 Feeling pulled in multiple directions this week, but I managed to get some work done on a few more pieces:

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

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

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

                                                   Another 4th Street, work in progress (click on image for larger view)