What's On Your Easel?....May 2012

[Chas McHugh]

Thanks Becca; I am always influenced by what is outside the door and the danger in this protocol is that sometimes the work takes so long that the seasons have changed. There was a time that I was going to have snow on the ground; but in the end it is an Autumn (Fall) skyscape with a Spring landscape which happily work together. The tree is probably the best tree done to date and probably because I resisted the temptation to overpaint it, instead adhereing to the first buds of spring that were in evidence when I painted it.

[!becca]

I resisted the temptation to overpaint it,

this is no doubt the key...and so difficult to discipline ourselves to do.

[happyflower]

Here is an update on my 4th painting in Painting I class. I am really enjoying this one. Instead of doing master copies, we got to pick out our own subjects and paint it how we wish. At 43yrs. old, I wish I knew I could create art a long time ago but I guess everyone has to start at the beginning sometime. haha!
Tomorrow is my final critique' I am a little nervous because it isn't done. I have only blocked in the foliage and have more details to add. The paint is wet and I didn't want to mess it up to try to force it done. My prof. did say it was ambitious, so I hope he isn't too hard on me.

I had very little help with this, so any suggestions would be great.

[NancyMP]

Happy Flower, your choice of subject matter is arresting, and tells all kind of possible stories. The mystery is beautifully rendered! Don't worry about the leaves; at this point, if some of them are a little translucent, it lends some more mystery to this theme!

LaRubia, I'm so glad you've broken the mold and decided to paint landscape and lobster, lovely and fun. You do well in anything you try! (Especially your portraits!!!)

Dominika, that painting is luscious with the gorgeous purple even reflecting in the spoon. It has a soft warmth to it that is very appealing!

[NancyMP]

I never can really get into a painting until the face is finished. The expression tells me just how to paint a little insouciance into the clothing.

[!becca]

Nancy, lovely work!

[happyflower]

[quote=NancyMP]Happy Flower, your choice of subject matter is arresting, and tells all kind of possible stories. The mystery is beautifully rendered! Don't worry about the leaves; at this point, if some of them are a little translucent, it lends some more mystery to this theme!

Thanks Nancy,

This painting was from a photo I took a couple of summers ago of an abandoned train building. This place has intrigued me since, I have gone back several times to capture the change of the building. I had no idea I would actually ever paint it, or maybe I would have picked a less challenging view point. haha!

I am thinking of either doing more unique window paintings or stick to whole subject of abandoned buildings. Hoping my painting skills will get better.

[Graham T]

Experimenting with some different formats. One day I hope to find a style that I'm comfortable with...

River Thames at Wandsworth Park, oils, 20 x 5

Comments and criticism very welcome, thanks.

[!becca]

Graham, nice job with this...I think though an appealing format not especially easy to do well..nice work!

[Graham T]

Thank you. I've found cropping photos that, at first sight, seem rather boring can transform them into interesting topics to paint

[punkmuppet]

Nancy - Very cute, who is she?

HappyFlower - Really like this painting, looks like it would have been difficult to get right but you've done a great job.

Joy - The bridge is fantastic.

My first portrait, signed and completed.


I'm now working on a second... Just by uploading I've seen that the right eye is too small and nose and mouth seem a little squashed... Hmm

[Greenbrier33]

Graham,
I really like both the format and style. You did so well with aerial perspective, even with the atmosphere over the distant urban area.

Dave

[!becca]

Punk, thanks for sharing, nice start on the second!

[Graham T]

Thanks Dave. This was one of those (many) paintings that almost got abandoned halfway through, but then I just about managed to turn it around. Came out ok in the end, but still lots to learn...

[Twix04]

Just finished this one. Can't say it's exactly what I had in mind, but hey, paint cover the canvas Picture taken inside, so color is a bit off with some glare. No title yet, 36x36"