Getting real.

So I've been intrigued by "real" people.  As I take photos of crowds to gather reference of children I can't help but notice these characters in the crowds.  I had to paint a few.  We see these folks everyday. I usually draw more of a fashion type figure but I couldn't resist a few that stood out.  Like this gal with her Chanel Bag.  Maybe this is Coco's worst nightmare?  Had to be a knockoff, right?  But what a contradiction.  

"Chanel"

Gouache

8" x 6"

$25

"Sturdy Stride"

Gouache

8" x 6"

$25

"Soccer Gal"

Gouache

8" x 6"

$25

SOLD

"Pass it to me"

Gouache

8" x 6"

$25

SOLD

How simple can you get?

Though these are relatively small paintings in size I like to see how much I can leave out and still have a story.  I have tried translating these to large sizes and I think it works.  So onward.  

This little figure painting I tried to keep to just two values and let color do the rest of the work.

This is a "High Value Key" painting.  Also reduced to basically two values but I brought up the shadow values to a "4" which moved all the information in the sunlight up to the ranges of "1 and 2".

Just trying to establish the shadow and light pattern then add some ambient light color along with some reflected light color and I don't thing I need "eyelashes."

Experimented with this one.  You know that guideline: "the lightest area in my shadow is still darker than the darkest area in my light." Well I follow that religiously when painting objects illuminated with a strong light source.  I had a highly respected instructor say that "even if a reflected light seems lighter than something in light, I paint it the same value or a bit darker."  So here I tried to keep the pink dress and hat in the shadow the same value or no lighter than the green grass in light.  I think it worked. 

One corner of my world.

This is a glimpse of one corner of our studio.  I have one half and Ray has the other half.  This also shows a larger painting I've been working on.  

Teaching tools.

Did I mention I am trying to write a book?  I've already decided to change the format.  I am going to write "Recipe Books" for each fundamental.  They will be volumes and hopefully not overwhelming like one large book trying to cover everything.  I am concentrating on the "Value/Tone" volume right now.  And am having so  much fun just going back to basics.  Here are some examples of what will be included.

I know this one shows some color but the volume on Value will mostly be done in Black and White.  Just wanted to translate a few images.  Upper right of woman watering her flowers is simply to show what is illuminated by the sun and what isn't.  I used a gray and a tint of a green.  Simple.

I forgot to include in this post the image I am working from.  That will be in the book.  It is an image of my daughter, Mary, examining the rose bush in our front yard.  Lower left is my drawing style.  Lower right is just simply stating what is in light which categorizes the rest to shadow.  That's one of the most important things I need to know right off the bat!  What kind of light am I painting in!  And what's in it and what's not!  The top two are variations on the plan.  I prefer the top right.  I think it will make a simpler read from a distance.

I just completed a workshop at our own studio in Angels Camp, CA.  This was a quick demo I did to demonstrate our first exercise.  This was figuring out my value pattern.  Did a few adjustments with the one in color.

This is a cosmetic piece I did.  This will hang in my sister's and her husband's business office.  They own their own distribution company called "Style Garage."  They did an incredible job with the commercial building they bought and renovated.

18" x 24"

Oil on Canvas

Gloucester, MA!

Our week in Gloucester, MA is almost over.  Whaaa!  It is so beautiful here.  There is so much to look at and paint!  I am here teaching a 5 day still life and figure painting workshop.  It's been quite hot and humid but with the sprinkler running, we are able to wet the back of our shirts and stay comfortable. Here is a picture of where we are painting outdoors on location at the Castle Manor Inn.  A number of us are staying at the Inn during the workshop.  It has been wonderful.  Every need is taken care of.  Just get up, go down to breakfast, the model arrives, we set up and get to work.  And then lunch is ready!  We then finish the day at 4 and find some fantastic seafood at the many great dining spots to choose from.  Lobster! 

Gloucester has a long history of supporting the arts!  The Cape Anne Museum has a wonderful collection.  We were able to catch the show at the North Shore Arts Association.  So much nice work.

What a great image on the side of a building.  Locals love the painters.

Views everywhere!

Some really cute shops and galleries.  

Inside Sigrid Olsen's shop in Rocky Neck which is a "hop skip" from Gloucester.  So many cute tops and scarves.  

Ray waiting patiently while I go in so many cute shops and galleries!

Lovely sculpture of a Mermaid Bird Bath.

Cute homes everywhere painted great colors.  I want one!  Oh and a boat too! 

Show me the way to more great views, shops and galleries.  Just taking in as much a possible.

A great exercise.

If I am struggling with surface quality and need to stop myself from "petting the canvas to death" I will limit the amount of strokes that I allow myself.  That means covering the canvas from corner to corner, letting "the chips fall where they may" with a limited number of strokes.  I have to load the brush just so and calculate where the best place is to start in order to cover the chosen area in what I've allowed myself.  It's a lot of fun, a challenge and often it can give the painting an effortless looking feeling.  

"20 Strokes"

"20 Strokes"

"25 Strokes"

NBA Season over! (for one minute!)

My husband, Ray, is an NBA freak!  He should have had a career in some form with the B-ball maniacs.  He likes me to keep him company though, the channel changer isn't enough!  So to meet my needs and his, I set up my watercolors at the kitchen table and have some fun.  I will have two or three watercolors going at once. I use a small box in the center of our kitchen table as a stand to place still life objects on.  I like the way our overhead light falls on the setting.  I have gotten so much mileage done this way and everybody seems happy.