practice: pomegrates

                               11x15

Someone asked me to paint pomegrates for them (a while ago!) and I'm finally getting to it.

Actually, it's going to be a good--I hope--learning experience for me: have to figure out a way to suggest the foliage surrounding the fruit.

So you won't be surprised to read I'm not happy with the foliage! 

I think I have to 1) give more thought to the overall shape of the mass, and 2) do more, and more subtle, layering/glazing.

I am happy with the pomegranates though!

lilies

                                14x18

Considered adding another stem, but then decided to leave it as is.

I had a teacher, Bonnie Mettler, years ago who'd always say, Does it bother you? If not, don't " fix" it.

sparrow

                                6x9

Sometimes I just try too hard ... and it shows. My sparrows show my anxiety about getting feather patterns "correct"!

 I should try doing some freehand birds to loosen and warm up before attempting a painting because, after all, it's not a zoological rendering--getting the patterning exactly right isnt the point for me: I'd like to be able to get a confident, and convincing, impression.

If past experience is any guide, the warmups will probably be most appealing!

wip lilies

                               16x20

Taking a break from a big, in pages and importance, job: proofreading Ulysses!

Worked on this today and learned a little lesson: when working on a painting in stages, make sure all the parts are integrated. Although the problem here is really with the drawing: I drew the upper right sprig, started painting it, then added the lower two.

Further adjustments to the drawing to come, I think!

tree sparrow

                                  6x9

I think he's a tree sparrow--chestnut cap, gray head-- though I took his picture in marsh grasses.

lilies!

                                 11x14

The grocery store had small bunches of not-yet-opened lilies and I couldn't resist.

A couple days went by before I finally got to trying to paint them.

I did this painting with no drawing.

I like the way the buds turned out so I started a larger, 16x20, using a little drawing this time to help me find my way.

Plan is to paint one stem, then find a place to add the second.

wren

                                   6x9

A lot of wrens in my yard; such pretty--and loud--little birds.

The background isn't what I envisaged, wanted more backruns ... but you never get them when you want them! Pleased with it anyway.

Also tried an ibis!

junco and finch

                                  6x9

I'm going to be in a group show in June, and the organizer wants bird paintings from me. Ever since she told me that I haven't been able to paint a bird! (These is from a few weeks back.)

more apples

Getting closer, but still a way from what I want, and a long long way from approaching the apples off maybe the best apple painter in watercolor, Charles Demuth. (The best, imho, in oil is of course Cezanne!)

Charles Demuth, Still Life: Apples and Green Glass, 1925