Tuesday, September 30, 2014

September Whites

That rule about no whites after Labor Day seems a little antiquated today. Especially here in the South where it is often warm into Late October. In fact we are at the Gulf Coast beach today sitting in the sun. Ii was inspired to name this painting September Whites as homage to the rule.


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Friday, September 26, 2014

Late Hydrangeas

I tried this painting several times and for some reason I couldn't make it work. I then made the background darker and it fell into place. Using pure black paint is a no no in painting because it turns out very flat. Gamblin just came out with a chromatic black that is made of green and red. I usually mix my own darks but I decided to try the new one. I love it! It is great to mix in with other colors; I used it with ultramarine in this painting. Maybe it is lazy, but I am all for convenience to allow me to create the next masterpiece. Haha


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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Hydrangea Chorus

When I choose to do a painting like this I have to be sure the values are correct because it is almost monochromatic. I have an app recommended by Carol Marine that changes a color photo to black and white.It really helps to see if there is good contrast of values.I try to make sure that every painting has a good balance of light, medium and dark values, even if one of those three is just there for a pop.


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Monday, September 22, 2014

Blue Bench

This bench is in a park area. Hopefully it looks inviting to sit and enjoy the summer day. Today is the last day of summer. Although here in the south summer really extends into October, the best month of the year here!


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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Bucket Sampler

Lilacs come in a variety of colors. I like the mixture of the whites and purples. No matter the color, the glorious scent is the same.


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Friday, September 12, 2014

Red Pots

Red and green are complementary colors.I have taken photographs of red tulips in bright sunlight and the photographs always come out as almost vibrating because the contrast is so strong. When painting that color arrangement the trick is to dull the green with a little red.Green in nature is almost never just a color straight out of the tube.Changing the green makes the red the "star" of the painting. What divas!


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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Catherine's Kitchen

Our son and family recently built a new house near Nashville.Catherine (dil) had picked these blooms from her yard and had them arranged in a vase. I took them and an apple and set them on the kitchen table to photograph in front of a window. I like the backlit look of them. All before breakfast!


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Monday, September 8, 2014

Geranium Close Up

I have painted geraniums before but this never this much of a close up. The shapes become almost abstract.





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Thursday, September 4, 2014

Perfect Sky

On our morning walk we were blessed with this beautiful pink sky. I took a photo and painted it when I got home. We are lucky to have such a beautiful place to walk!



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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Single Sun


I never tire of sunflowers. They are so beautiful and sturdy hopefully turning toward the sun.Painting them is like therapy!


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