May 4, 2024 — Elaine O.

I've been fascinated by backlighting lately (and Paris). This paper has reached its limit, though, so I'm calling this study done and moving on to another version. What I do like and plan to incorporate in the final are the hands, the inside/outside contrast, and the light on the jacket shoulder edge. 

14" x 11"

Class Photo

Another term ended... another class photo to commemorate the good times. We're missing a few people in the photo but suspect the fine weather may have had something to do with it. Although you may notice that one dedicated artist just finished a 5-mile run and still managed to join us.

Still painting….

 These two are done I think. Quinnie has a few proportional issues, but overall I’m happy with it. The encircled food is done. I added a little detail to the shallot but otherwise, it’s painted. I go back and forth about inking the pencil lines but right now that’s a no….

Here’s another sketch I worked on last week. I’m trying to work out a balance between drawing and painting, but maybe it changes with each subject.

Alan Spring 5

 I don’t know what else to do with this. If I spray it with permanent fixative it’ll have the effect I want but I won’t be able to change it. I’ll consider all suggestions but may act on none.

This is a little more than a quick sketch on hot press. There’s some gouache in there as well as a little white pastel. 

Just a few of my watercolor works.

 

Uncle Ken goes non-representational

 Just sick and tired of the tyranny of the real world and going to the world of just paint.  Doing four of these on 9x12 paper because I am not yet ready for 18x24.

This is the first in the series, so far so good, I think.

This is the second one and I am not so sure about the river running through it.

This is the third and right now it is going downhill.  Too much paint in the lower right so that it is hard to get the contrast I like.

This is the fourth and was coming along just fine until those viridian flowers(?) burst out into space.

April 27, 2024 — Elaine O.

This week, we make progress, despite some missteps and catastrophes. 

Mon Déjeuner à Versailles Avec Dave    14"x 11"

I spent the week afraid to spoil the view out the window. So I did color matching studies, value studies and all kinds of procrastination things. Finally I began, only to see major paint seepage under the taped off window edges. And, of course, that green is one of the most staining colors around. I think I salvaged that situation, only to notice that the sizing on the paper seems off. Can you see the badly behaved paint around all the edges? I think it's due to the age of the paper. Lesson: Use your paper! Don't save good paper until you're good enough.

My plan: go in boldly with the rest of the painting, knowing I'll probably do it again. After all, I have a small stash of paper to use up!

Just keep painting….

 Here’s a self portrait, a second attempt at at the vegetables, a cropped version of the first vegetable portrait, after Pat told me to go all out and ruin it, and  little sketch of my hydrangea tree. I think I’m exploring combining drawing and watercolor. Or maybe I’m just messing around…

Purple rain on the haunted house.

 I think the pummeling fists of the purple rain sway the light gauzy trees in an interesting way to make them sway in the symphony of the stormy night.  Others may think differently.

I am leaving out the horse and I am beginning to think of the couple as Adam and Eve and that may have some effect.  The subject of the image interests me less than the painting with blended dots.  Experimenting now with bigger dots because it is 18x24 papers.

April 20, 2024 — Elaine O.

I know this isn't an oil painting blog, but just this once, I have to share one. I just finished my very first oil painting! It took awhile but I'm pretty proud that a) I finished and b) it's not awful. So, here it is—a look down my street in autumn.

approx. 14" x 11"

And then, back to watercolor...and Paris. I'm beginning to paint last week's study. The key to this will be the dark/light interplay between indoors and out. I kept the view very light, but we'll see what happens when the darks go in.

Mon Déjeuner à Versailles Avec Dave    14"x 11"

PS—I don't think I'll really call it that. While My Lunch at Versailles with Dave is the actual truth, the painting will have a totally different vibe, so it'll need a different name.

Also, you can thank me for refraining from pontificating on my observations on the differences between oil and watercolor. You're welcome!