Saturday, February 26, 2011

Castello di Montegufoni


Lately I am painting from my photographs. It makes me appreciate plein air, but also the comforts of the studio. My sister Francesca and niece Vanessa joined me today. I have been wanting to paint this doorway in a dreamy location in Tuscany, where life stood still for a while.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Zipped

A Zippo lighter was the piece featured in the DPW Challenge this week, and it was to be painted with only ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and white. This is my submission.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Juicy Fruit

This time I took fruit up a notch - in size. I found it very different painting fruit large .... big strokes, big areas of colour to cover and yet try not to lose the value shifts.....

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Red Pine Plantation


A few weekends ago, several of us went for a walk on the family farm of yesterday. The red pine plantations are 50+ old now. I enjoyed the way the sun slanted through them and lit up the little balsam trees. When painting, I was paying attention to the shift in values with each tree, and giving them some texture and individuality.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Hibiscus

Flowers bring such joy, especially in the thick of winter. This hibiscus is bravely blooming on my windowsill, and since a bloom usually lasts only two days, I had to honour it.....and paint it.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Green Apple


Another 10 minute challenge - with a timer, and the apple did get rotated for different angles. I am impressed with how much improvement there is with each try.... I really start to "see", to the point of wondering what in the world I was seeing with the first square.

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Challenge

Carol Marine double dog dared everyone to do this ten minute per square challenge. Having attending Carol's awesome workshop this summer, Mary and I knew this was a good exercise, so today we did it, and what a learning curve that was.....and so much fun too! I think that I need to do a lot more of these.....soon....like tomorrow.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Amaryllis

Again a flower is blooming in front of me and being in the depth of a northern winter, it was just too desireable to paint it. For once, a subject that works in this 8 x 8 square format that has been waiting to be used. The petals are verigated and that made it rather difficult to get values right...which was a real test in the best of places.