Oakland Painting Sessions

While in the Bay Area, my friend Janie arranged for her frequent (terrific!) model, Jenny, to do two sessions for us. From these two sessions, I did these three paintings and another sketch or two as well. The top is my favorite. I had mixed some paint colors in advance, thinking to focus on color values and just use those colors no matter what "local color" presented itself. Well, Jenny showed up in those colors!!

The second painting incorporates the beautiful peonies from Jane's garden and, again, I was trying to pay particular attention to values. (Much more work needed there.)

And the third is from our first session, during which I tried to just get accustomed to what paints and brushes I'd brought, the studio, and environment in general. When I get these paintings back (wet oils were left at Jane's), I will make the same alteration to "Green Dress" that I've done here in Photoshop--her head was too big, and neck too long. Of course, other tweaks are needed as well.

So fun to have the opportunity to direct the model, lighting, etc. myself. Thank you Janie!

Bay Area Art Trip

What a terrific trip! Friends, food, sketching, painting and museums. Loved every minute of it. The top sketch is done while sitting peacefully in Nancy and Tony's beautiful garden oasis in Marin. The bottom sketch is done at Lake Chabot in--San Leandro? It's my friend Jane, who loaned me her cool fill-it-with-anything paintbrush pen to test. That's the black line--color is watercolor.

I also got to see Girl with the Pearl Earring at the deYoung Museum which, frankly, was a bit disappointing. I know that sounds like heresy, but I was surprised to feel so underwhelmed by it. Usually an old master painting will look extraordinary when you see the real thing, but in this case, there's not much more to be seen than the reproductions record. I appreciated the Rembrandts, Hals and other Dutch master works though.

AND! The exhibit of the Floral Designer's work, paired with contemporary art--also in the the DeYoung--was absolutely stupendous. A lovely museum day, visiting with friends and being inspired.

Another Fun Friday

Our model couldn't make it, so Quin stepped in and saved the day. I think this can work... with a few tweaks... like giving her some fingers!

Hipbone Wednesday

Lots of quick nude sketches today--as always--but this clothed one has potential for an experiment. I've wanted to do a painting from a sketch, with no other reference material. This could be the one to test drive.

The Friday Painting

Neisje arrived in a superb costume, so it was an inspired session for our group, and very fun surprise celebration for Celeste afterward.  A good day!

Using what I learned....

This is from a photograph. I'm focusing on "notan"--dark & light massing--which I think may have finally sunk in to my brain!! The workshop was terrific, but I think that is the main concept that I got out of it that will help me the most. I was more successful in the initial sketch than the painting, but that's OK... I'm getting it!

This Painting Does Not Exist

There is one that looks a whole lot like it, but the proportions are way whacked, so I fixed it in Photoshop. Just in case I never get back to the actual painting--or if I do, I know just what tweaks are needed, because I've done them here. This from Day 3 of the workshop, and I was painting in the dark. That worked in my favor, as far as values went... but the drawing suffered for it. I really couldn't see what was what. I knew the color only inasmuch as the name was on the tube I was squeezing! What a challenge. (Now that I look at this adjusted version, I think her head is a bit too far forward. Maybe?) Well, moving on with something new tomorrow.

Thomas Kitts Workshop

March 1-3, 2013 -  Portland, Oregon
Day 1 - Thomas did a demo, and then we were to execute the same thing--a black & white "notan" of a still life (bottom image is my effort).
Day 2 - Using what we'd learned in doing the notan, and after a 2nd morning demo by Thomas, we did a color version of the same still life (top image).
I cannot take full credit for either of these; Thomas's hand is in both, that's how he is best able to teach. I will say that, in the color version, I placed a third layer in some areas--especially in the central vase--in order to get color that worked for me better.  Guess I prefer neutrals, it seems to be disturbing to me to see a white vase rendered in rainbow colors.  Hmm... we'll see if my taste changes as I ponder all of this further.
What is most challenging--that I'm learning in this--is the use of color temperature. So maybe the vase should be warmer (shades of a buttery yellow)... or cooler (an aqua)... or... well, as I say, I'm learning. The painting may be as done as it will ever be, but the work-in-progress continues. Kinda like the Hotel California... "you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave"!