Shakers

5

Norene and I needed to get out of the house last Saturday. Unfortunately, it was ice cold and the wind was howling. We couldn’t really go many places, so we drove to Franklin, Indiana and had lunch at The Willard, an old hotel that has been converted to be a restaurant. It was a great atmosphere and the food was good.

While we were waiting, Norene pushed the shakers together. I was fascinated by the reflected color in their lids. I decided I had to paint them. The whole technique I used was drawing the shapes and painting in the colors.

Filed under Oil Painting Technique by on . 5 Comments. #

Tags: ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Copper Kettle

9

Copper-Kettle-007

I taught a still-life painting class for six years, then stopped when I had a medical emergency close to two years ago. This is the first time I’ve attempted a still-life since then.

When I taught the class I emphasized filling the canvas and making the layout interesting, as well as using complementary colors. I always lit my subject with a lamp to show highlights and shadows to  create a dramatic effect.

 

Filed under Oil Painting Technique by on . 9 Comments. #

Tags: , ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Low Tide

6

My wife and I went with our daughter and her husband to visit the homes of our ancestors in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We drove up to Provincetown. It was early evening and the sun was going down. We pulled over on the side of a road because my granddaughter called. While my son-in-law was talking, my daughter, my wife and I walked down to the water. It was low tide. We enjoyed walking out in the wet sand. It felt good squishing up between our toes. We found a lot of little sea creatures and shells.

There were several boats that had been left out in the water, and with the tide out, they were sitting on the ground. I was intrigued by the sight. The sunset reflected in the water. Everything that wasn’t lit by the sunlight had a bluish shadow over it.

Filed under My Inspiration by on . 6 Comments. #

Tags: ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

First Annual Self-Portrait

13

My wife suggested I be like Frida Kahlo or Rembrandt and start the tradition of doing my self-portrait every January. Here’s the 2012 version.

When I was in art school we studied facial structure, even human skulls. I use this knowledge in my portraiture. It helps to know where cheekbones and eye sockets go.

I always try to paint the exact color I’m looking at. At first it looks strange, but as the picture comes together it seems correct.

Filed under Portrait Painting Technique by on . 13 Comments. #

Tags:

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Leaky Louise

6

Leaky-Louise-0091
When I was raising my children I built my own canoe. My kids and I went fishing many times in the high mountain lakes of Utah and Idaho. We caught thousands of trout. After a while, the body of the canoe became brittle and cracked. I had to tape up the bottom with duct tape to keep water from leaking in. Because of this I named my boat “Leaky Louise.”

The main technique I’ve used in this painting is “foreshortening.” The canoe and the front paddle are painted in a shortened manner which gives a feeling of depth.

Filed under Oil Painting Technique by on . 6 Comments. #

Tags: ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Enchanting

11

December-Portrait-006
In September my daughter took me to Old Town in San Diego. I’ll have to say it is my favorite place in the state of California. It portrays historic events from the settlement of the state. There are blacksmith shops, churches, old homes, galleries and restaurants. My very favorite area is Fiesta de Reyes. It  represents old Mexico. It is absolutely beautiful with it’s landscaping. Musicians serenade the customers. There are many wonderful restaurants.

I was drawn to one of the outdoor restaurants. I couldn’t help but notice the hostess. She was so enthusiastic and cheerful. I could tell she loved her job and the people she served. I’m pretty picky about who I do portraits of, but I knew I wanted to paint her. I asked her if I could. I was so glad she said yes.

The most important thing in a portrait is the eyes. As it has been said, they are the window to the soul. In this portrait you’ll see I have her slightly turned and her head goes off the top of the canvas. These techniques add interest and draw the viewer directly to the subject.

Filed under Portrait Painting Technique by on . 11 Comments. #

Tags: , ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Mattakese Wharf

11

Mattakese-Wharf

My wife and I had arrived in Cape Cod with our daughter and her husband. We were on a trip to our ancestral home – Barnstable Massachusetts. We checked into the fabulous Ashley Manor, the best bed and breakfast in Cape Cod. We were so thrilled to be there . . . we felt the spirit of our ancestors so strongly!! The owner suggested we go to dinner at the Mattakese Wharf Restaurant. We did. We got there just as the sun was setting. The restaurant overlooked Barnstable Harbor. The view absolutely took my breath away! I had to paint that amazing scene!

I’ve tried to portray the feel of the air, the smell of the water  and the glow of the sun. Note the complimentary colors of the orange sun and the blue shadows. There is a strong contrast with shadow and light.  With these techniques I hope to have expressed the feelings we felt on that enchanted August night.

Filed under Oil Painting Technique by on . 11 Comments. #

Tags: , ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

Do It For Yourself

8

Norene-Sketches-0023
Quite often I realize I’m trying to do artwork to impress someone else. I wonder what other artists might think, or if I would be able to impress the judge of a juried art show. The problem with this is I lose the enjoyment of doing my art.

Today I felt like doing a quick pastel sketch of my wife. I just let it go and used whatever colors and values I felt like. I thought it was fun. Who cares what anybody else thinks?

Filed under Drawing Technique by on . 8 Comments. #

Tags: , , ,

Share

Google+ Pinterest
Print

« Previous ... 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 ... Next »