Daffodils and Hyacinths - Watercolor

Daffs and Hyacinths

6x6in aquabord watercolor SOLD

Artist Note
Spring and all the beauty it brings.
The Quail have had their first babies.
Nests are being used all over the place.
The daffodils are up -
blossoms are on the trees
and the
March winds have been
a'blowing!

This painting is on aquabord.
I quite like the way the colors absorb
into its dimpled surface,
creating a different appearance
than on paper.

The best part of course is
that no glass is required.
I prefer to wax for protection,
but a couple of layers
with a light spray of varnish
is also perfect.

Peacock Feathers With Roses

Peacock Feathers With Roses

7x5in oil on canvas panel  SOLD

Artist Note

The beauty of the rose always astounds me,

but place it next to a peacock feather and real

competition for the top spot happens.

The real dilemma for the artist is deciding

which one wins.

Rose or Peacock Feather?

This is a pick-up from an older post.
Still swamped!

Hydrangeas and Coffee Bean Plant

Hydrangeas and Coffee Bean Plant

8x6in  oil on canvas panel SOLD

Hydrangeas with sprigs of coffee bean plant.

These  hydrangeas have a lot of a creamy color in the center

with pale blue edges to the petals. I got them at Trader Joes

in Albuquerque at weekend. They are not perky!

Artist Note.

This is a repeat of a favorite post.

This was a demo done in class today.

I had a lovely set up using the the reds of the strawberries from

yesterday to move the eyes around from the coffee bean buds.

I blocked it in like this.

Then I realized I would not be able to fit it all 

in during the time I had time.

So  - out go the strawberries!

Next I used the fracturing technique

and came back.

reworking every area.

Had family visiting this week

so not much painting accomplished 

after classes.

The Old Red Chevy

The Old Red Chevy  (1948)

6x8in oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note

The inspiration for this one comes from

the Lets Paint New Mexico group.

February 14th Challenge

see here 

The original photo was of a 

rusty blue truck -

 beautifully rusty - but as the theme 

this month at the Artists Guild 

was on painting

RED 
I thought I would demo

red in the sun and shade.

In my opinion,

Red is one of the hardest 

colors to paint in the light

without going chalky or 
losing its local color and turning
pink
due to adding 
too much white.

 These are the colors I used
for the truck.
Permanent Alizarin
(with a whisper of green
from all the trees around)
to darken into shadow.
Permanent Red and Grumbacher Red
as base colors
then I
added orange with a touch
of Naples Yellow  Light
to make it
even lighter.

The basic principle involved
when painting a dark value like red
is that it cannot possibly go as light
as a middle or light value can. 

The exception being highlights 
or reflective light on shiny surface.

I really admire this painting by Sargent
using all the values of red.
The background is rich, dark red.

Dr. Pozzi At Home
 Hammer Museum, CA
An amazing, life sized portrait.

notice how dark a value

the red in the light is

below

The one below is by Gauguin.

Women of Tahiti, on The Beach
Musee d'Orsay, Paris.

It  is perfect for
showing red in light and shadow 
plus
pink in light and shadow.
Pink can go lighter due to it already
being a lighter
value to start with.

Easy to write about, but not as easy for me to do.

I am always intrigued how the principles
are followed by the masters in every style.

I have certainly picked
the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Does anyone else love the fact
that we  artists can keep
getting better at our craft...forever?

Avian Symbols - Alcohol Ink.

Avian Symbols

6x12inches Alcohol Ink on copper plate.  

Framed 500.

Purchase HERE

Avian Sanctuary

6x12inches Alcohol Ink on copper plate. 

Framed 500.

contact artist

Artist Note.

I loved painting these two companion pieces.

I was experimenting with the alcohol inks

and using more control in layering and line.

It is hard to get an accurate color 

as the copper reflects thru the inks.

Framing.

I floated/glued them on a sheet of tin 

with a neat dark frame.

I really like the combination of metals.

Spring Run-off

Spring Runoff
6x8 inches oil on panel $140.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
I am really drawn to the sound
of a bubbling stream and
singing birds.
Rejuvenation!

Computer Issue follow up.

Thank heavens
the solution was found for 

my computer woes!!

I have to thank fellow artist and blogger

Lauren.

She emailed privately and so 

I will not put her last name  but 

we have followed each other's

work for a few years now and 

she has helped me before.

The solution was to enable 

third party cookies in Settings.

Simple eh?

Bless YOU, dear Lauren.

New Mexico Sunrise

New Mexico Sunrise

6x6 oil on canvas panel $110. SOLD

A gorgeous spot in northern New Mexico.
It really is
The Land Of Enchantment.

Artist Note.
I have been having major
computer problems and
had to acquire a new one...
oh boy, now I have to
get used to
Windows 10.

 PLUS... unfortunately,
my usual way
of answering Blogger comments
is not working.
HELP!
I type away with
a complete comment
and
when I click PUBLISH
I am asked to
please choose a profile. 

It happens on every artists 
blog I try to comment on 
including my own.
I can answer from my phone just fine,
but then I cannot see the whole blog.

I have tried every single one
of those  listed to no avail.
Everything I have typed
goes into never-never-land
Can anyone help me please?

Pouncer ll - Fracturing Demo

Pouncer ll. Bird Watching
8x8in oil on Senso

Fracturing Technique - Step by Step.


Artist Note.

This is a re-post.
Some of you may not have seen it.
Swamped at the moment but hope
to paint tomorrow.

I have had so many requests for information on the fracturing technique
that I thought I would show some of the steps and tools I use.
I am using the natural linen SENSO. I buy it in pads which I tape
to foam core board. When it is dry I use YES paste
to glue it to a Masonite panel
Ampersand makes  boards in 6x8 in size.

 I drew this out with a mixture of
Ultramarine and Permanent Alizarin
using a script brush.

 Next, I placed quick brush marks
of bright, local color.

I made sure to go over the neighboring
edges in some places but not all.
Next, I used my handy tool to swish
 through some edges.
This part is where you allow your
own personal taste to guide you.

I hold the shaper at an angle and
VERY LIGHTLY  skim it over paint
to remove and randomly
break up areas .
Then I go back and reinstate.
Sometimes I fracture one layer
and others several times.
It all depends on how broken up
I want the image to be.

    This is a short handled, ANGLE brush.
    It is a marvelous brush for these
    small paintings.
    Using the edge, a straight line is easily
    made and I use the side to make
    multiple, different type marks.

 I make what I call "opposing strokes."
Shown here.
Make a stroke and then brush in the
opposite direction... and then again.
If you get into the habit of doing
this it will
prevent over blending and
keep your paint surface active.

MY SHAPER TOOL
If you click on the above it will
take you to DPW tutorial page where
I have a FREEBIE one for the tools I use
I also have a little video showing
 how I paint using the
fracturing technique.
(be sure to scroll down)
In the last two years, Catalyst has
come out with a whole line of shapers
so there is no need to make one.

I used a #2 round brush to do
the small areas to finishing up.
I check my center of interest
- the cats head- to make sure it
has not been fractured as much
as the other areas.



I hope that by showing my methods
and tools it will inspire some
of you to try some new method just for fun.
Let me know how it goes.

A Special Visit

Meeting a Fellow Blogger.

Anne Winthrop Cordin 

Anne and Cooper

I was delighted to get a message
from Anne

asking if we could meet as 

she passed through Las Cruces
with her husband (and dog).
Are you kidding...Absolutely!

I have followed Anne for a few years.

I love her blog and work. She paints 

with a wonderful abstract vision,
and writes amazingly well
about her process,
including personal ruminations
which are always interesting.

See for your self

 ANNE

Look what Anne painted while in Las Cruces.

A White Winged Dove.

Thank you, dear Anne, for taking the time to visit
and for making it such an interesting
and stimulating time. I loved every moment.
Hope you come again.

Egg Dreams - Alcohol Ink

Egg Dreams

8x10" alcohol ink on cradled board 

1 3/4" Floater Frame - silver leaf 

with antique finish. $495.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note.

I loved working on this one.

I saw the painting in a dream first

so I had a direction to go in.

I worked on getting a puffy,

cloud-like, background first.

Layering with the inks is 

not easy and I found that 

patience solved a lot of issues

that came up.

The whole process 

kept me fascinated

and I really like the results -

it has a little more of a 

contemporary viewpoint.