PEONY TIME

9"X12"

Oil on panel

Typically the peonies bloom and then we get a huge rainstorm that destroys the blooms. This  year I have had peonies in bloom for a week. I think that is a record.

REFLECTING ORANGE

8"X8"

OIL ON CANVAS BOARD

Another attempt at painting our granddaughter. I loved the orange reflections on her face from the  dress. The Nancy Crookston workshop has peaked my interest in portraits again.

PORTRAIT STUDY

I talked in my last post about going to a workshop in Easton, Md.to study with Nancy Crookston. I also mentioned that in three days with a model I did not actually finish a painting. This is one of the paintings. Our model had beautiful auburn hair that was very long and curly, also difficult to paint. I have to admit that it had been so long since I had painted from a model, that I just stood there for the longest time before I started drawing. I kept looking back and forth from the model to my blank canvas, not knowing where to start. I have decided to join a life drawing group again to regain my skills.

WORKSHOP IN EASTON, MD

I recently took a workshop with Nancy Crookston in Easton, MD. This is a photo of part of our group painting a model in shade. Not an easy task since the light areas are cool and the shadows are warm. The painting on the lower right is Nancy's. She watched the rest of us struggle and decided to start a painting so we could see what she was trying to get across. The light blue in the background of her painting is the color she uses to tone every canvas and she also does the drawing in blue. I didn't actually finish a painting in four days of work but I learned a lot. First and foremost I learned that I have let my drawing get sloppy and have vowed to draw everyday if possible. Nancy carries a sketch book with her everywhere and sketches everyday. She is so confident in her drawing that she draws in ink. She passed a few of her books around for us to see and they were very inspiring. My profs also told us to draw everyday as well, but I haven't been doing that for a long time. One of the great things about Nancy is that she absolutely loves painting and her enthusiasm rubs off on the students. I came home inspired to do more artwork.

 

AT THE FARM

8"x 10"

OIL ON LINEN PANEL

This painting was done in a morning painting session with Jean Koeller on the grounds of Harmony Farm. The weather was wonderful and it was such a pleasure to spend the morning outside. Check out Jean's paintings.

Painting 13

6"x 6"

OIL ON GESSOBORD

The last few paintings have been on Gessobord because I forgot to order the panels I like to use. I usually do my small paintings on Raymar canvas panels. The Gessobord has a matte finish and feels rather chalky to the touch. The first strokes of paint almost feel like they are being absorbed by the gesso. Over the years I have tried just about any surface out there for painting and have loved them all for varying periods of time. Then I fall out of love and try another one. I recently bought Centurion oil primed linen panels for a workshop I will be taking in MD next week. When I wipe out an area, I am always frustrated by the color that is left on the canvas. My hope is to be able to wipe down to the white without having to deal with so much of the leftover color. We will be painting from a model which I have not done in years. I suspect there will be lots of wiping. The artist is Nancy Seamons Crookston. Check out her work, it is beautiful.

Painting 12

6"x 6"

OIL ON GESSOBORD

We went to an outdoor wedding on Saturday and this was our sunset view on the trip home.

Painting 11

6"x6"

OIL ON GESSOBORD

This is an eastern sky with the western sunset reflecting on the cloud to cause this brilliant color. I'm sure this happens all the time but I have just not noticed before. Now I am constantly looking skyward and thinking about how I would paint it and what colors to use.

Painting 10

6"x6"

OIL ON CANVAS PANEL

These sunset paintings are a real challenge for me but I'm having fun with them. My goal for  the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge is to paint looser and I think I'm getting better at that. The challenge for the next few days will be finding time to paint.

Painting 9

6"x6"

OIL ON CANVAS PANEL

A view of rolling Ohio farms. Very soon now there will be a lot more color here as the leaves turn to beautiful oranges and reds. It has been dry for a while, which usually translates into more fall color.