Eggs, Linen & Glass: Finished At Last!

Yes, it's true, I'm finally calling it done--not sure that I can't improve upon it, but at this point, I don't care. I simply can't look at it a moment longer. I think the lace was probably more of a challenge than the glass--lace has fewer hard edges and requires more blending. I could have done more, but Todd was constantly over my shoulder saying "Don't overwork it!" As if!

Okay, I did overwork it a tad, but I'm pleased with the results. It is 8" x 10" and I now need a stronger pair of readers...

...so...I've got an idea for my next project...something highly reflective, small and sentimental...but I have to wait for some bright sunlight before I can start it, and in Michigan, well, that could take a while...

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Not Quite Done...

I know I said I wasn't going to post again until I finished, but all the finer details in the cloth and lace--let alone the glass--is taking longer than I wanted it to. Therefore, I'm posting this just to show that I am progressing...

I also noticed that I needed to darken the tone in places, so, overall it looks a bit darker. Then once I'm happy with the tone, I can add the white glaze where I want to brighten it...

...and then there are all those hardline edges I need to add for the finishing touches!

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Step 7

I feel the need to post something... Again, it may not look like much, but I workded on the lace, which is as painstaking as the cut glass. Just so it's not the same ol'-same ol', here's the photo, too. I won't post again till it's done. Hopefully that won't take too long...

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Step 6

Okay, I'm just posting this so I can see that I have progressed...besides, I never pomised this would be exciting...

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Step 5

I started out slow today, but once I got going on the eggs again, I found it oddly soothing. I must remember that for when I start feeling anxious; Paint Eggs.

Speaking of painting eggs—I can't remember if these where white eggs or brown, but I'm thinking white. This made for an interesting observation this late afternoon when the sinking sun crept in the window behind me, illuminating the photo from which I'm working. It highlighted and exaggerated the different hues of the eggshell. Ultramarine, crimson, ochre—colors you would never expect, right? (Okay, I did have a hunch they were hiding there). When the sun disappeared, the colors again subdued, but I like the color in the eggs so much better. Perhaps I’m getting creative with my painting and not so rigid…

I'll bet you wish you knew what the photograph looked like!

Eggs, Glass & Linen: Progress

Not much progress, but I want to provide proof that I have been working on it--and more than just that lace loopy thing on the side...

Eggs, Linen & Glass: Step 3

Even though I've done a painting similar to this one, it was so long ago that I don't remember exactly how I approached all those facets of glass. This one is a little larger, and good thing!My eyes are that much worse these days (go figure). As I go along, I'm finding that the best approach is not to focus on one area for too long, and keep reminding myself that it always takes shape in time.

Eggs, Linen & Glass: The Wash

Well, most of it is 'washed', however I couldn't really 'wash' the cut glass. All those facets--well, each one is its own peculiar shade of gray and umber. At least you can gather the color scheme.

This will be more of a study in texture rather than color, and an exploration of backlight and reflection. It will be tricky going--I may even need to don the magnifying goggles, but I shall prevail!

Finally, A New Project

...yes, it's true, I'm undertaking another watercolor, but this is no ordinary painting; it may quite likely be the painting that drives me to the brink of insanity! (Yes I know that's not a far drive from where I'm at.)

I know it's probably hard to tell what it will look like from all those teensey-weensey lines, but if you've been to my Website, it may look familiar. It is, in fact, a variation on a theme I worked up several years ago, and I can tell you that it tested my wits even then (back when I had a few more wits about me). I posted something about that a long while ago, and even now I can't believe I'm considering this project (okay, I'm more than considering it, 'cause I've done the drawing and posted it).

I can't gaurantee that this will be a happy ride for observers, but I'm going to try hard not to whine about it. I can't promise I will finish it in a timely manner, but I may post more stages, just to provide evidence that I'm still working on it...

The finished painting will be 8 x 10 inches, and in case you're wondering, it is titled Eggs, Linen & Glass.

Spring Orchard: Complete

Well, seriously—I thought I might go blind with this one. Got out my magnifying glass and everything…

I showed it to my Todd, and all he would say was, “Insane!” To which I responded, “Am not!...Okay, well, maybe a bit.”

For your amusement, here’s a ½ by 1¾ inch section of this 10 x 7½ inch painting. And yes, I know I went a little nuts on the dandelions…

Again, thanks To Michelle Davidson Argyle for the photo to work from!

Spring Orchard: Phase 5

When it's time to wet the white paint, I know I’m close to being done—that’s the case with the dress and the divan. But there’s still lots more to do on the grass and trees…

This is the last time I'll post before before it's finished...

Spring Orchard: Phase 3

Here’s the next phase:

This is where I’m reminded of how much I enjoy rendering fabric. At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get into a lot of detail on the brocade (which is a lacey-looking weave in the fabric that you’ll see when I post the photo—soon), but now I’m kinda looking forward to it…

You may have noticed that I didn’t give the trees and blossoms in the background a whole lot of attention. I need to make a decision on how I want to handle them. To be honest, I’ve never painted a bunch of blossoming trees from afar, and I’m not certain how detailed and in focus to go with it.

Hmmmm…[clenching the paintbrush between my teeth as I lean back and scratch my head]….mmmmm

Cool Grass: Done

I’m not sure how this looks on your monitor, but if it’s anything like mine, the colors in the original aren’t quite as saturated, but still, it’s a fair representation.

No, It’s Not Done, Step 7:

Just so no one thinks I abandoned this project (you know, on account of the nose, [which is all better]) I thought I’d better post some progress. Actually, I’ve been sick, so that’s why this project is taking so long.

It’s at this point that I wish I had chosen something easier to paint, but now that I have the grass filled in (no, it’s not done yet, either), it doesn’t feel so overwhelming.

Cool Grass, Step 6:

Today, I’m posting the photo from which I’m working. I changed my subject’s angle—compositionally, I like it better. Also, with the photo, I found myself cocking my head in order to get a better look at her.

She has a nose, once again, it will look even better once I can add a white glaze and highlights—which I tend to reserve for the final phase of the painting. The reason to hold off on white is that any color you add after that becomes milky, due to the heavy pigment—not good. Here’s something that you may or may not find interesting: The traditional watercolorist does not use white. They rely on areas left unpainted to serve as highlights, which is fine, however the whitest white one can achieve is only as light as the paper, which in most definitely not white.

More Grass, Step 4:

It's not as if I spent the day painting, but I thought I’d take a break from studio work and scan what I've done since yesterday. That way, I won't get ahead of myself.

I know all that grass looks like it will drive me nuts (and it might), but truth be told, I like painting grass...you'll see...

Cool Grass, Step 3:

So much blue in the fair skin tone of this subject makes her particularly interesting to paint. Although there aren't a lot of contrasting shades to the color to her skin, there is still a lot of subtle build-up to the tone, necessary to give her skin depth and bring it to life. Otherwise, all that blue might look, well, not so lively…

…and wow, is that hair proving to be a challenge! Notice how I haven't even started on the grass yet.

The Wash

The wash is the easiest part. It’s just a matter of laying down the lightest tone of each hue. It gives a little definition and a hint of what the color scheme will be. The biggest challenge here will be the hair and grass. If I were a less meticulous painter, I’d simply include just enough detail to suggest hair and grass; but I won’t be able to help myself when I see each blade and tress begging for its place on the paper.

The dress (an original, by the way) is the part I will most enjoy rendering: silk chiffon—one of my least preferred fabrics to sew (although it's way better than polyester), but, by far, my favorite to paint. The facings and narrow french seams actually become part of the design and the challenge.

WhooHoo! Finished Another!

Okay, this is a pretty big deal for me—I actually finished it in just a few sittings. And, I enjoyed doing it! One thing I don't like is how conspicuous my signature looks. I need to find a more discrete way to sign small paintings; makes me want to wipe it out and do it in a muted color, but I already took the masking tape off (which leaves a sticky film if it's been there for over a year). Oh well, not tonight.

Here’s something even more exciting. I actually have another project in mind. Something brand new and completely different…stay tuned for the entire process…

Another Painting in Progress

Time to post another watercolor in progress. This was originally one of my first posts, a second painting in a pair, (the first one has been done for years). I decided to work on something so similar because it had been a long while since I painted at all, and the portrait was freaking me out. Give me some hard lines of a still life—that ought to be easier, I thought. But for whatever reason, I found it immensely tedious and quit. After all, I had a novel begging my attention.

After the size of my last painting, (several times larger than I usually work), this now feels quite manageable at 6”x 6”, less than a quater the size. I’m even having moments when I find myself enjoying it. Besides, it will help me stay distracted while I send out queries for my novel, Story for a Shipwright.

 Here's where I left off:

Once I really get going on it, I'll post the photograph from which I'm working. (It's the writer in me—I don't want to give away the ending too soon!)