Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers - Update

So back to my more frequently used palette. I must say the understanding of color is more solid now that I've used the Zorn Palette the past few paintings. By this I mean how color affects the viewer.

This is a simple grouping of objects that have a full value range and intensity of color. My spirit is feeling a little brighter and more at home. The actual jar has a printed design of square calligraphy blocks that I left off because it seemed too busy, but actually thinking this is too plain.

BTW, the blue flowers are a variation of Scilla siberica and perennial Geranium.

Start -  Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Panel
© 2013

Decided to try it with the design afterall... left a lot of the design off, but it is pretty true to the actual idea. Now if I can just learn how to suggest depth more convincingly.

Update - Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Panel
© 2013

Turban Squash - Still Life

This was getting back to my usual palette - and all I can say is what a difference. It shouts in comparison. Lots of fun to paint. Could end up in the oven...

Turban Squash - SOLD
6 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel
© 2013

Still Life - Footstool w/ Book

Well I proceeded with the still life I began a few days ago and this is the current result... whether I toss it or make some changes is yet to be determined.

In any case, my intent was to follow through with this effort... it's more like a quick study illustration to me than a 'beautiful painting'.

The charcoal drawing in the previous post had more drama even with the compositional challenges. What I love tho is the shadow of the candle stick on the left - the distortion is interesting.

Footstool w/ Book
9 x 7 Oil on Canvas Board
© 2013

I used the adapted Zorn palette again. I think the flower could be smaller, and the wine glass seems too busy. Those would be the main changes I would make with this. A more simple wine glass without all the faceted cuts that catch the light in strange ways. I'll also adjust the shadow color under the left side of the footstool.

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2 hours later: could not leave it for tomorrow... had to make a few changes today - here's the result. Less detail in the wine glass/check! Slightly smaller flower/check! If I ever start another from scratch, I'd make it a bud instead of full bloom. Little darker in left side shadow under the footstool/check! Now I can do something else!

Revised Image

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Several Days Later: had a change of mind on the  tone of the green foot stool. It seemed to be competing with the flower.

Revised Image 2