PARTY DOG

4x4 Oil on Gessobord

This is Maggie - the BEST dog in the universe!  She is ready to party with me as today is my birthday.   In keeping with my limited palette, I have to say that I am still having difficulty getting the colors I want.  I could blame it on the cold medicine I'm taking ..... and I think I will!  Maggie has a more burnt sienna coat and much darker.  Sometimes she just blends in with the rug.  

This is #10 in the 30/30 challenge.  One-third of the way done!  I'm still having fun with it and still frustrated with it.  It's a mixed bag for sure.  I wanted to get a few paintings ahead, but with this super cold it hasn't happened .... yet.   

Have a fantastic, creative, fun week-end!!

SUMMER HAT

7x5 Oil on Paper

I painted this on paper.  I read about a new paper by Arches that didn't require any gesso.  So I gave it a try and I like it.  I don't know how much I will use it, but it would be great for plein air and oil sketches.  

The reference photo for this painting is from my trip to NYC several years ago.  I took hundreds of photographs in the few days that I was there.  I was walking out of the Folk Art Museum and this young woman was staring at something.  I couldn't figure out was it was, but she was so still.  Perfect for a snapshot!

FACE No. 86

6x6 Oil on Gessobord

Of course, I had to paint a mug shot.  I found this to be difficult with a limited palette.  It took a long time to paint and I fussed with it.  I am used to having various tubes at my fingertips.  This experience is making me more appreciative of those artists that can use a limited palette every time they paint.  I have a lot to learn! :-)

SALT AND PEPPER

4x4 Oil on Gessobord

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Day 7 of the 30/30 challenge and I can finally post a painting in the morning!  This little painting was painted last night while on cold medicine.  I want to get back up to the studio this morning before I need to take more and take a nap.  I don't know which is worse, the cold or the medicine.  Oh well, enough of my whining.  
Check out Leslie Saeta's blog to see more paintings.

MORE LEMONS

4x4 Oil on Panel

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Day 6 and the hurrider I go, the behinder I get!  I hope to get in a better routine and SOON!
To see more paintings take a look at Leslie's blog.

APPLE SKETCHES

12x12 Oil on Panel

In my frustration with the new paints I thought it would be a good idea just to spend some time playing with them.  I used a surface that wasn't as smooth and painted with a couple of different brushes.  I began in the lower left and continued counter clock-wise and by the time I arrived at the upper left I ran out of time so that square is left blank.  I do prefer the surface with a little more texture.  As far as the brushes are concerned I couldn't tell much of a difference.  Also, on the last one I didn't fuss as much and did the painting very quickly.    I like the experimenting and just learning something each day!

To see more paintings of this challenge click HERE.

LEMON SLICES

4x4 Oil on Gessobord

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How many wipe outs can one have before paints and brushes are put away for a loooong time?  I don't know, but I have to admit that I came close today.  I am having a hard time getting accustomed to my new paints.  I will definitely stay with the color palette for the remainder of the 30/30 challenge, but I may change brands.  Just something that will work its way out with a little more time and experience.

TULIPS

5x7 Oil on Panel

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Day 3 and the challenge continues to be fun.  All the artists have done remarkable work since 30/30 began and I've enjoyed seeing the creativity. 

On this painting I used a black ground allowing some of it to show through.  I wanted to explore greens a little more and the leaves of the tulips provided that opportunity.  The background color is the leftover paint from the previous day's painting.  It all provides color harmony that is easy to achieve with this limited palette.

Please take a look at all the fantastic work being done with this challenge by going to Leslie Saeta's blog.  You will not be disappointed!

BOWL OF TANGERINES

7x5 Oil on Gessobord

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Day two and I explored the secondary colors, green, purple and orange in my limited palette.  I mixed just one green, but several oranges and purples and with this palette I can see that many colors can be made.  Whew!  So far, so good!

PAINT AND BRUSH

4x4 Oil on Gessobord

This is my first painting in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  Because I will be exploring color I decided my first painting would be what I will be using .... paint and brushes.  It's been another very busy day and I almost didn't get it done, photographed, and posted.  YIKES!  And it's only the first day!   I hope tomorrow is a little quieter.  Now I am going to take a few minutes and see what other artists have posted. :-) 

FIRST 2013 CHALLENGE

I am going to begin 2013 with a challenge set by Leslie Saeta, as she stated on Facebook and her blog .... 30 paintings in 30 days.  January holds at least two trips for me, but I think I can still do it.  To add to Leslie's challenge I want to explore a limited palette.  I hope to gain knowledge and control with only three colors and white.  The choice is to use one palette for the 30 paintings or mix it up and use different palettes.  My decision is to use one palette for the entire month and explore it as much as possible.  Decision no. 2 is what colors should I use?  I did some research (which was overwhelming!) and there is an incredible number of limited color palettes.  I narrowed the number down by focusing on well known artists such as Anders Zorn, Kevin McPherson, Lori Putnam, and many more.  As I said it is overwhelming, but I had to choose just one and after thinking it over I decided it really didn't matter which palette I chose.  I just need to stick with it for the 30 day duration and I know I will learn from it. So .... drum roll, please ..... I chose the Lori Putnum limited palette.  Her paintings are stunning and with a simple click to her blog I can access useful information that will help me with this journey.

Lori's palette consists of Cad Yellow Medium, Pyrol Red, Ultramarine Blue and Titanium White.  She uses and recommends Blue Ridge Oil Paints.  I determined to go all the way and ordered those colors from Blue Ridge.  

To begin my study I made a traditional color wheel and hope to do a Munsell color wheel, too.  I also took the primary colors and secondary colors and made an abbreviated color chart by adding white to 4 values.  And, again, I hope to get another color chart painted making neutrals.  I've done color charts before and I highly recommend them. 

 The 30 in 30 challenge officially begins January 2.  So check back and see what happens with my paintings and check out Leslie's blog and join the challenge!  It's going to be fun!!  

2013 is going to be a great year!

FACE No. 85

4x4 Oil on Panel
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I returned from our holiday travel early this morning.  It feels good to be home again!  Our Christmas was wonderful and I hope yours was, too.

I painted this mug shot before Christmas and just now getting it posted.  His nose grabbed my attention and I was in the mood to paint a profile.  When I began this series I had no idea how many I would paint.  I still don't know when I will stop.  I find faces to be so interesting and there is such a variety in these mug shots.  I learn something new with each one.  

WOMAN FROM ETHIOPIA

6x6 Oil on Gessoed Panel
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This was painted from another photo reference from Steve Evans.  His photographs are beautiful and he is so generous to allow his photographs to be used.

I've painted very little in the last few weeks and I have really missed it.  There will be little time until the first of the year so this will be the last post for awhile.  

To all my blogger buddies ....

PEACE

LOVE

JOY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

TIN CUPS

12x6 Oil on Panel

For a larger view click painting.
As a photo reference I used a photograph from Steve Evans.  I discovered this fantastic photographer through Taryn Day's blog and her wonderful paintings.  Please take a minute and discover these works of art from Steve and Taryn.

For more information on this

painting click HERE.

GREEN APPLE STILL LIFE

8x8 Oil on Panel

Click on painting to view larger.

How did December arrive so quickly?  Our tree is up and decorated and more decorations will be added this evening.  Some presents have been bought and are ready to be wrapped.  Still more to be purchased, cookies to be baked, cards to send.  Christmas is almost here!!  Busy and exciting!

For more information on this

painting click HERE.