Color

I started my first painting with color today -- just a simple composition of a lemon on a light colored cloth. It isn't close to being finished, so I"m not going to post it yet. It is proving to be a real challenge, but I trust I'll catch on and go faster with some experience.

Chillin' Vase

Every time I post a painting I realize there is more I could do to improve it. But that's the beauty of "daily painting" you do the best you can in a reasonable amount of time and call it finished. Not sure if you can see any improvement or not. On my end I know I'm becoming faster and much more comfortable with each step in the process.

Bottle Studies Her Shadow

As the light filters through the thick glass of this bottle it casts a beautiful color on the ground and wall. The shadow seemed rather ordinary, because I smoothed out the fabric. I did like the way the top of the bottle in the shadow was tipped at a rather steep angle.

Unlike other paintings I've done, this one cried out to be painted in color. The light that shines through the bottle casts a gorgeous color on the table and wall. This will be one of the first paintings I do when I start using color.

The Dance

I like the thick glass of this bottle. This was my first attempt with glass and it turned out to be so much fun! Yes, another oddly shaped shadow. The backdrop had a slight wave to it that resulted in the wave in the shadow. I liked it so much I didn't dare straighten the backdrop.

Flying Tile - Reworked

Couldn't resist spending a little more time with this today. It still isn't where I'd like it, but I continue to learn. This photo was taken in my studio while the painting was still on the easel. Sometimes I take the photo outside in natural sunlight. Neither seems to accurately represent the raw umber and white I use in these tone paints.

Pear on a Flying Tile

This was never finished. The shadows that look like wings for the tile appeals to me. So today I spent some more time with it. I'm not yet satisfied. The photo I took of my still life set up wasn't taken from the proper angle, so I'm now working without a reference.

Playtime in Light Tones

This still life was a challenge for me in several ways. Lemons on a light yellow cloth is a light toned subject on another light toned fabric. I struggled with the folds in the fabric as well.

Paint-out

Today was my first day to participate in a "paint-out." A paint-out is just going outdoors to paint. I belong to a plein air group that schedules group outings. Just getting all the gear easily portable is a major task! I was glad to participate, but my final product left about everything to be desired.

After the paint-out I hit the hardware store to find something to serve as a brush holder. It must be light weight and easily attach to my easel. Took all day and some creativity; I now have what I hope will be a great brush holder. YEAH!

Photograph of same painting taken outdoors.

Just the Ledge - Reworked

Since I didn't finish this piece on Sunday, I thought I'd spend a little more time with it tonight. The color of the photo is different because I took it in my studio. The other photos were all taken outside in natural light.