I decided to give myself a challenge, and paint a white flower that really does look like this. Okay, some of you will think “Darn, that’s an ugly flower” (like my friend did), but it was a great painting challenge, with lots of lights and darks. I used a limited palette (titanium white, ultramarine blue,Continue reading “World’s Strangest Looking White Flower”
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Titmouse revisited
Since I am learning acrylics now, after years of working in oils, I decided to re-paint my titmouse painting in acrylic. This was a fun project, and I learned some things about acrylics doing this. As usual, I used a limited palette (titanium white, hansa yellow, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber and burnt sienna).Continue reading “Titmouse revisited”
Trees in Winter
Because it is winter time, and there’s lots of snow on the ground, I decided to paint an acrylic picture of trees just as the snow has stopped and the sun is getting ready to come out. Trees in Winter, acrylic and sand collage, 2/24/20 painting As usual, I used a limited palette: yellow ochre,Continue reading “Trees in Winter”
Bouquet of Flowers: acrylic painting
I love flowers, and decided to take a photo of some beautiful ones I saw at a friend’s house (with her permission). I found that acrylics are perfect for capturing the lights and dark values. The colors used were ultramarine blue; alizarin crimson; yellow ochre, Hansa Yellow, sap green, titanium white, burnt umber and burntContinue reading “Bouquet of Flowers: acrylic painting”
Egret Painting
I love water birds, and have enjoyed seeing the egrets near Lake Huron in North Michigan. I decided to create a painting to show the beauty of this bird. I used a limited palette (as usual) with this painting: ultramarine blue, Hansen Yellow, yellow ochre, Hooker Green, Titanium white; Burnt umber and burnt sienna.
State Park Painting
I enjoy hiking, and snapped a photo of a state park (Hocking Hills) last summer. This painting is based on the reference; I am exploring using a more colorist approach in it. I still don’t know how to adjust the color saturation right with my photos (I use paint.net); the original has more colors (blues,Continue reading “State Park Painting”
Meadow Flowers: Learning Acrylics
As noted before, I am starting to explore acrylics. I love the details and vibrant colors. Below is a 16 X 20″ painting on canvas wrap that I just finished, called “Meadow Flowers”. The actual painting is a lot more vibrant; someday I will learn how to do a proper photo. I used a limitedContinue reading “Meadow Flowers: Learning Acrylics”
Sparrow painting: exploring acrylics
Recently, I have been experimenting with acrylics, taking a break from oils. I have a friend who is a wonderful photographer, and with her permission used part of a photo she took as a reference (photo was by K. Gasper) for a bird painting in acrylics. My impressions of acrylic versus oils: I enjoyed theContinue reading “Sparrow painting: exploring acrylics”
Park and Stream painting
I love water, and so chose to paint some pooled water in the streambed of a park nearby. The most challenging part was the reflections, and also creating a sense of depth.
Painting Christmas ornaments
Happy Thanksgiving! I have been painting Christmas ornaments (using enamel paints) for weeks now. The first set were wild birds (one is pictured above and another below) that I sold at a local art show, and also have for sale at a local store (Wild Birds Unlimited). For those who would like to make theirContinue reading “Painting Christmas ornaments”
Lesson 2: color study
I have decided to put myself through a course of painting in the basics, as a refresher. In this part, I first did a value painting by: 1.Using burnt umber for the darks 2. Rubbing out my light areas; 3. I then went over it all again to darken the darkest areas, and added aContinue reading “Lesson 2: color study”
Back to Basics: Value Study
I have been reading some books on painting, and have decided to put myself through a full course of lessons. On this blog, I will share what I am doing, and learning, because I want to improve (and this type of “back to the beginning” will hopefully have that effect). The first lesson involves workingContinue reading “Back to Basics: Value Study”