Friday, February 28, 2020

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!

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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.

Monday, February 24, 2020

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!

Sunday, February 23, 2020

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!

Saturday, February 22, 2020

tree sparrow

                                  6x9

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

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

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.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

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!

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

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.)

Sunday, February 09, 2020

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