Something about lemons and oil painting...

I don't know why exactly, but lemons are one of the prettiest things to paint. The light and shadow temperatures are easy to see, and harmonize so nicely. I don't even think about the sour pucker power they stimulate at other times. In painting, they just seem beautiful, fresh, and sunny. Must be the color, texture, and smell that I enjoy.

Was working towards a higher keyed painting with this couple... loved the extra little blossom too. Computer insisted on making the background more blue than aqua, but the painting looks quite nice in a gold frame. Might have to hang this one for myself.

Blossom between Two Lemons
8 x 6 Oil on Canvas Panel
® 2014

Pumpkin Oil Painting

I know, I know, It's been awhile...  since I last posted anything. Not because I didn't think about it, but I was quite occupied with many other activities. During that time, I even retired from Real Estate and went to Hawaii for a week! Completely unplanned, but a most needed break.
No computer, very little telephone, very little TV and all the other distractions that work life can bring. Loved spending time with my daughter and granddaughter. Helped put things in perspective, Oh yeah!

Anyway, I have a painting or two that havn't been posted yet. Partly because they were not finished. In fact, this one still needs to be signed.

I try to do one fall pumpkin painting each year. It seems a good measure of how my skills and materials are getting along together! ;o) So much to learn, so much to improve...
Eventually, when I do one I can reproduce for a seasons card series, I'll let you know!

Pumpkin in Blues
8 x 16 Oil on Canvas
© 2014/Fall
Call for Price

This painting was on the easel for quite awhile... a few changes here and there. I want to thank the critique group for their feedback too. That single blue petal decided the finish.
Need the signature now... and then the varnish.

Thanks for looking!

Painting Equipment: Folding Russian Chair-Easel

While researching Painting equipment, I came across this YouTube video of an old Russian Chair Easel. Kinda nifty, no?

Watts Atelier - Instructors' Painting at Yearly Holiday Party!!

Watts Atelier - Instructors' Painting at Yearly Holiday Party - 2013!!

 WATT's Online Atelier
Program Portrait Lesson

I think this is a really fun video (below) to watch and see how a group of artists/instructors can produce a very nice piece sharing the brushwork. Confidence of brushwork is very obvious, and it looks like they were using the Zorn Palette.

This would be fun to do as long as one's ego doesn't get in the way! ;o)

The image to the right is from an on-line lesson in the portrait program series. (BTW, a different model)
 

FREE Online ART ebooks and Other Resources

T'was the Night Before Xmas

Here's a little gift for you! The following short list of free online ART ebooks on drawing and painting are posted on a couple of websites, but wanted to have them for my own quick reference, so I thought I'd list them here as well... and save my readers some time by sharing them.

The American Drawing Book

The Practice of Painting

Landscape Painting - Birge Harrison

The Art of Landscape Painting in Oil Colour - Alfred East

The Practice of Oil Painting and of Drawing as Associated with it

The art of landscape painting in oil colours - W. Williams

Light and Water - Montagu Montagu-Pollock

Here are a couple more good resources you might enjoy...

Pictorial Composition and the Critical Judgment of Pictures by Henry Rankin Poore

Duval's Artistic Anatomy (human)

The Artistic Anatomy of the Horse

The most comprehensive list of free ebooks can be found at Gold Coast Art Classes

T'was the Night Before Xmas... Christmas Card Opt #2

I finally completed the second study for a Christmas card.

The photo of my Granddaughter was actually taken a couple of Christmas eves ago - so I thought the title fitting. She's sitting in her Great Grandma's chair that now resides at her Auntie's house.

It is a little brighter than I originally thought I would do, but it will be darker by default after it is printed. It is getting a little late to be working on a Christmas card image, but at least it will be ready for next year if I don't make it happen this year. ;o)

T'was the Night Before Xmas
9 x 12 Oil on Stretched Canvas
© 2013
NFS

Christmas Card Landscape Sketch

I very much want to paint something for printing my own Christmas cards this year. The thought is for it to maybe be something that could be hung anytime of year. The following is the first quick sketch done for this goal.

You might be thinking that a yellow sky is unlikely for an evening/dusk scene, but that the imagination of it, and I kinda like the harmony. This is not the completed image, only a start... it is a composite of photo resources and imagination. I want to add something, but haven't quite settled on what(?).

Should it be something figurative, or something holiday related even though it would be counter to 'hung anytime of year'?

Will sketch out a couple more ideas before I make a final decision. Better get out to the easel!

Thanks for looking!

Prelim Sketch - Winter Landscape
9 x 12 Oil on Canvas Sheet
© 2013