April 27, 2011

Lupis Lapis - Study


Acrylic on Canvas Panel - 5 x 7 inches

A secluded corner of a property I toured last fall. I've been meaning to paint it, but wasn't sure I could make a successful composition of the thing. Every time I tried to map it out, that turret wound up dead center. I rearrange a few items and finally it fell into place.

This is a quick study to see if it works out. I may do a larger version soon. Maybe.

April 26, 2011

Cel Break


Acrylic on Canvas Panel - 5 x 7 inches - (destroyed)

This weeks challenge for the Daily Paintworks was submitted by Linda Popple, and is a photo from her last trip to NYC. I cropped in pretty tight since I was painting this relatively small.
Still really struggling with skin tones, and a little stingy with the paint, but it's not too awful. Ahem.

April 7, 2011

The N


Acrylic on Panel - 11 x 14 inches - sold

Had this photo kicking around for ages and finally got around to painting it. (Pretty deep, I know).

April 5, 2011

Germany22


Acrylic on Panel - 5 x 7 inches   SOLD


For the latest Daily Paintworks Challenge, Carol Maine supplied a few photos from one of her trips to Germany, and posted some very nice renderings of her own as examples. Nothing like batting right after Barry Bonds.
I'm noticing I've developed a bit more of an economy of brush strokes when I try and follow Carol's approach of mixing colors carefully (well, more carefully than I usually do) and applying them with purpose.
I'm beginning to suspect that painting more vibrant and complimentary colors, while keeping the values accurate, tends toward a more interesting and gripping image.
I'm also noticing more and more that it can be helpful to push your colors more towards what inspired you to capture the scene rather than trying to mimic the limited tones in a reference photo. Take a look at some of the other artists results and you'll see what I mean. (mine's still somewhere between drab and colorful).