Category figure

Christmas Card

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I used my daughter, Elizabeth as a model for this picture, taking about 30 pictures in various poses and lightings. When I decided which pose I liked I drew several on 6 x 8 inch pieces of 300 lb Arches paper and tried out a few different paint triads. It was fun! They all behaved differently, and there were quite a few surprise features. This image was my favorite, especially the blends and ‘holes’ in the background. The hair was added with burnt umber.

I printed the words on my computer, cut out the strips and attached them to the edge of the painting. I had copies made at Staples, where I always enjoy attentive and caring service. The staff there always seem willing to try several iterations until I’m satisfied with the product.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

Second Place!

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Acrylic, 9 x 12

This week I found out that this painting won second place in a local juried show! The entries for this show had to be on a ‘serene, inspirational or uplifting theme’. I was away in England for the whole show and so did not find out the result until my husband went to collect the paintings. What a lovely surprise!

A write -up on the whole show can be seen at www.rivercityart.org

Lois by the river

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Acrylic on hardboard, 6 x 8 in

This was from a photo that my daughter-in-law posted online. I loved everything about it, so asked permission (granted) to paint it. I love the light on Lois and on the river, giving her such beautiful golden hair and the river such wonderful green hues. I love her pose and the shadow it forms. What did she stop to look at and what is she thinking?

Baby Hands

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Acrylic, 6 x 6 inches

I recently tried these two pictures of baby hands with an orange using two different colored grounds. One was burnt sienna; the other was ultramarine blue. Can you tell which was which?

It’s not difficult to tell–the orange is more vibrant on the burnt sienna, and the rest of the painting is more exciting on the blue background. I found the flesh colors difficult to get correct. I like the top hand on the right the best, as it has the most luminosity.

I think hands are fascinating for their complexity of positions and expressions. I need more practice at painting them though!

 

 

 

 

Skydiving

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Acrylic, 9 x 12 inches

I painted this picture as a gift for my son who has just learnt to skydive this year. He’s completed 26 jumps and graduated with his first certificate. We thought it was a crazy venture at first, but since he’s described the process we’ve been very impressed with the method and responsibility of the process and we’re proud of him.

I watched his you-tube video many times, stopping it every few seconds to find a shot I liked and then I painted from the computer screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lois

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This is my second adventure in acrylics, a painting of my granddaughter, Lois. I think the acrylic quick drying property makes me work looser and ‘rougher’. There is not so much time to adjust and fiddle! I’ve added layers of course, but the smooth gradations that are easy in oil are difficult here.

I love the vibrancy of the colors.

Dancing for Joy

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Acrylic 9 x 12

I decided to try out acrylics as an oil alternative. I was given some Daniel Smith acrylics a few years ago (no longer made) and most of them are still in usable condition.

Over the summer I read Capturing Light in Acrylics by John Hammond, which I found very inspiring. I love his colors! (I found it first in a used bookstore on Portsmouth, NH asking price $30!) I ordered it on inter-library loan and enjoyed reading it.

I painted this picture with a burnt sienna wash undercoat and a burnt sienna monochrome underpainting. For a few days I could not decide how to paint the background, but after considering something much darker, settled on this green pattern of light.

The subject was my daughter, enjoying the feel of her new dress-up ballerina costume!