Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

The Striped Pitcher



The Striped Pitcher
8"x 6" oil on canvas/panel $140. SOLD


Artist Note.

I LOOOOVE my new studio!

 I want to show you my
set-up for painting a still life

 I needed  something that was: 
convenient to get to... 
right by my easel...
      and very versatile...

This fits the bill perfectly.

I screwed two shelving strips 
into the wall
making them long enough 
so I could adjust
the viewpoint from either,
eye level - see below
- or moving it down for 
taller still life set-ups.
 (See last image)
It is so easy to adjust. 

. I used the longer18-inch brackets
to support a good sized surface. 
I used a 20"x20" piece of plywood
on top of the lower brackets
and  placed a piece of
24' foam core over the top
This also prevents my overhead light 
from interrupting a
single light source.
I can have fabric over this 
to drop down behind
And I can also use colored paper
The gooseneck light
 adjusts in any position
from any side.
This shows how 
I can also use the
  sight-size method. 

So there it is. I hope I get a 
lot of use out of it.
Whoo hoo!!






31 comments:

  1. You have a great start Julie. Love the striped pitcher and cherries. Nice composition. The studio is working it's magic.

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  2. The stripes and the cherries are a great match, so beautiful! The new studio is just the bomb! I love your still life set-up!! It is fun to see the photos.

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    1. Happy you think the studio is " just the bomb" lol. Big smile at that one!
      I keep thinking of the wonderful color harmony you achieved with the lavender and yellow accent of the bumble bee painting, and have been looking around for just the right still life set up.... found a beautiful piece of silk as a start. I enjoy having a goal so thanks for the inspiration.

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  3. I love those shelving units! I just installed them in my own studio. They were totally easy to do.

    Good for you for getting such a smart design for your still life work. It will make everything very easy-no excuses! (As if you were ever blocked by those!)
    Libby

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    1. They fit the bill for ease of adjusting height levels for the still life for sure. I have to have my easel right up against the wall for space reasons and they are the perfect solution for me.
      Great post on your three new columns, Libby.

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  4. Wow, this is a fantastic set up, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Kim - I was just marveling at your skill with fabric patterns.

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  5. Your set up looks brilliant, Julie! That ought to do the job for any need you have! I love the lighting coming from below in the floral set up! As seen by your striped vase painting it works wonderfully!

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I am very pleased with the flexibility of it. What a great job you did on the little dog. As Helen said, the red collar was great but I also adored the way you did the eyes.

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  6. What a great idea Julie! You are so creative in many ways. And, efficient to, great use of space. Have a wonderful evening.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carol, and yes, I am enjoying the evening. Hubby watching the NBA finals and he LOVES it! Makes me happy knowing he is happy as I answer my blog.
      How did you take those great pics of the hummers?

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  7. I love love love the painting because I love blue and white, but may I say lady, you are a genius. I love your idea for your still life set up. That is so ingenious! I'm looking around my new studio to determine how can I incorporate that idea here.

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    1. Hi Sharon - words of praise from Ms Creative herself is praise indeed.
      Thank you so much. I enjoyed your video of you painting the peonies.
      Very impressive. Great post.

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  8. Super painting, Julie. The blue and white striped pitcher conjures a Parisian sensibility -- and I enjoyed the tiny notes of turquoise and purple within those dark blues.

    Your set up is inspired simplicity. Who wants to wrestle with the platform when you're eager to get painting?

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    Replies
    1. Oooh...Parisian, I like that! Thanks, Helene. In my home studio my easel is out in the room so this solution is not needed but my work space requires the easel to be close to the wall and that is what makes this perfect.
      My jaw dropped when I saw your new painting, Taking Off.
      A real eye catcher. Good for you... applause...I wonder how long it took you? It is so large for a start but then lots of painterly details make it special. As I commented....the water is extra perfect, too.
      I can see why the gallery placed it in the window.

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  9. ah good idea :) seems to work well for you, if i had more room I would love to set something up like that

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    1. I did it this way precisely because I do not have much room and my easels has to face the wall. I am very pleased with the convenience of it.
      Sorry to read you had gone through a tough day but happy to see the two bird drawings - especially the plump quail. He obviously has a constant food source!

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  10. How great to have a setup that is there waiting for you! I looks like it can work with any still life.

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    1. Hi Joan, I enjoyed reading about your windy day at the beach and the resulting gem of a watercolor The I scrolled down to your day with the art group. What fun. A good read, Thanks.

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  11. Such a cool studio idea Julie, with a single setting you can come up with different possibilities! The pitcher looks just amazing, love that vertical dab of light on it!

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    1. It is so good to hear from YOU - I have missed your posts.
      Hope all is well in your world and thank you for making my day brighter.

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  12. I hope so too! Thanks for sharing this. You solved the problems well.

    And lovely painting, too.

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  13. Hi Jean - thank you.
    I was really moved by your new charcoal drawing. Very powerful!

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  14. Your still life setup is wonderful....your painting? Outstanding!!!!! I love the way you painted the pitcher.. SO good. I can see why you love your studio Julie...it looks so organized..very impressive. By the way, tomorrow I have my live model class and I WILL be painting her without my camera...yikkes...

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    1. Still laughing at your, YIKES! I understand only too well!
      Thanks for the lovely comment, Hilda. I appreciate your artistic eyes.

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  15. Both painting and arrangement of shelves is truly awesome !

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    1. Thanks Jane. I would love to see your studio. Your work is creative and diverse and I wonder if the studio is large or small?
      Windows with control blinds or lights?
      Painted with brght colors or neutrals?
      See... curious ms Julie wants to know.

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  16. Dear Julie what a super idea with your studio shelving. I love it and I am sure you are going to get a great deal of good from this arrangement by the looks of your gorgeous painting. Hope you are doing well and have a blessed weekend. Hugs!

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  17. What a wonderful simple versatile set up you have created Julie! Love it,

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie