Thursday, January 23, 2014

Personable Pug

"Personable Pug"  Acrylic  6x9"  Click to Buy

I am a big believer in the notion that if the values are correct, you have plenty of leeway with color. That is the focus of this week's Daily Paintwork's  "Creative Color Challenge". This painting was created from a b/w photo of a pug. I had a little fun with artistic license, but I kept the values true.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Patti Vincent's Kitty

"Max"  Acrylic 6x6"  Click to Buy

I did this painting for the DPW Challenge. I couldn't resist, as I'm always blabbing about translating values to color. You can read about it here.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Soho Shopping Buds

"Soho Shopping Buds"  Acrylic 8x8"  Click to Buy

Who can resist window shopping in Soho? It is serendipity at it's best!

etc: I have added "Click to see more" to my blog title. Reason being, several people have asked how to go to my blog and see all the posts, upcoming workshop listings, and also be able to comment... I guess it is not clear that the title is clickable. 



Thursday, January 16, 2014

Soho Showers and Shoppers

"Soho Showers"  Acrylic 8x8"  Click to View
Another rainy day in NYC. Rain, snow, sleet or hail, shopping will prevail.

etc: I have added "Click to see more" to my blog title. Reason being, several people have asked how to go to my blog and see all the posts, upcoming workshop listings, and also be able to comment... I guess it is not clear that the title is clickable. 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Midtown Showers in NYC

"Midtown Showers"  Acrylic 8x8"  Click to View
Dreary but colorful ... a typical rainy day scene in the city

I'm really excited about my upcoming workshops ... I will be demonstrating methods for loosening up with acrylics or oils. We will be painting cityscapes, still lifes and more!

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Tulips in a Glass

"Tulips in a Glass"  8x8"  Acrylic   Buy it Now $100
My 8 week painting class started yesterday, this is the demo I did to show my process. I used 2 brushes, each 2" wide. They are the type with the short handle and wide ferrule, like house painting brushes. One brush for used for the pinks and reds, the other for the greens and blues. There were a few times I was tempted to use a smaller one for the details and highlights, but for the sake of the demo and to encourage students to try working with larger brushes, I didn't. It took a half hour from start to finish, with a lot of stopping for explanations. I did 4 b/w value studies of this setup, and randomly chose one of them as my guide for the demo.

The only reason I can think of to paint fast is that there is a certain gesture and economy of brushstroke that results in an energetic and lively look. When I tickle and fuss with a painting for hours or days, it looses this quality. The brushwork gets muddled and overworked, the colors lose their zest. Not to mention that when you go over the same passage several times, you start getting a built up texture from the underneath acrylic brushstokes that have dried, and sometimes that texture is unwanted. When I feel my paints start to get sticky, I know it's time to wrap it up.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

City Shapes

"City Shapes" 9x12   Acrylic Click to View
This painting is from a photo I took in Times Square. The challenge was to simplify!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

How I spent my new years eve 2013

"Effervescent Intersection"  10x12" Acrylic  Click to View

I think the title of this painting may have something to do with the mood of the night. OK, a little bubbly was consumed. I spent it solo, as usual, (not complaining). Hubby had a jazz gig in Times Square and I was not up for the ordeal of the park-o-rama, wall to wall crowds, not to mention it is freezing!!! Staying home with snoring kitties and the fireplace humming away + my paints and brushes seemed like the perfect way to usher in the new year - it was!