Number 69: Frozen Fruit...

A southern exposure, melting snow, and a freezing wind do this to berries in a tree!

Frozen Fruit, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel

Enjoy! And have a very Happy and Safe New Year!! It'll be a GREAT 2010!!

Number 70: The Hunting Cabin...

Finally, I painted an old hunting cabin that I had a couple of photographs of...

The Hunting Cabin, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel

Number 71: An Apple A Day...

The day after Christmas we were still snowed in, so I painted an apple. I used Ultramarine Blue instead of French Ultramarine Blue, and there's obviously a difference, hehe!! Yes, my shadows are blue!

An Apple A Day, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel

Number 72: Oh, Christmas Tree...

On Christmas morning, I set out to do something a little more "Christmasy"...

My setup next to the ol' Christmas tree...

And here is the final product...

Oh, Christmas Tree, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that Santa was good to you all!

Number 73: Christmas Eve Candles...

Well, I'm finally back online after the storm of the century! Wow, there was a lot of snow and it took a while to get dug out! Anyway, I've been doing a few little paintings while in the warmth of the house! This is the first one I did on Christmas Eve...

Christmas Eve Candles, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Panel

Number 74 - 'Poo Collection - Progress Sequence

'Poo Collection - 5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

Have you ever traveled, stayed at a bunch of hotels and ended up with a collection of little shampoo bottles from each hotel you've stayed at? My job takes me to a lot of different places and to a lot of different hotels. Today's project - a small sampling of my ever-growing shampoo bottle collection!! I even took some progress shots for your entertainment!

The Subjects

My Start...

For my starts, I like to sketch in where everything should go to see if it fits. And since I'm working towards my holy grail of plein air, I put the shadows in during my start as well. (Just getting into the habit!!) I also color the base and the background to get an idea of the value ranges I'm going to work with.

 First Object

Next, I paint the object that stands out the most. In this case, it's the little gold shampoo bottle with the burgundy cap. Not only does this one stand out, it's probably going to be the easiest to paint using a limited palette. I'm currently using French Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow Lemon, Permanent Red Medium, and Titanium White.

I usually only hint at the lettering on something I'm painting, but in this case the lettering was big enough that it warranted real letters.  Not the case with the rest of the bottles as you'll see next.

Next, More Difficult Colors

I tackle the more difficult colors next. In this group, I was really eyeing the caps of the two left bottles as they are kind of a hint of brownish-gray neutral. It's always fun trying to mix colors to match odd colors from life! I think I pretty much nailed this one, though! The green shampoo, er, mouthwash bottle on the left could be a little brighter and deeper green, but this was as far as my limited palette would take it...

The Grand Finale!

Finally, I knock out the blue bottle on the right, touch on the shadows and highlights a bit, smooth out edges, and color up the base and background for a little added visual effect. Voila! All finished!

Notice that just the hint of writing or lettering on these bottles is enough. Your mind 'sees' the letters that are supposed to be there. Just don't try to read them!!

Enjoy!

Number 75 - Gettin' Dark at Bacon Creek Lake...

Gettin' Dark at Bacon Creek Lake

5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

I took my newly organized kit out to a local park for a test drive late this afternoon. It's been overcast and misting all day, so my expectations weren't very high. But at the very end of the day, as the sun set, there was light!! And it ended up on my canvas... This one was done VERY quickly and I was worried that the colors were SO off, but the values at the end seemed to work so I went with it. Enjoy!

And after returning from the park I snapped this shot of my newly organized kit. This is my 12x16 Open Box M, six most used brushes - 4s and 6s in brights, filberts, and rounds, along with paints, roll of additional brushes, and a paper towel roll. Not shown are my tripod bag and garbage sack. All together, it's extremely light considering how much equipment there is!

Number 76 - Backyard Pine Tree...

Backyard Pine Tree - 5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

"What would you like me to paint?", I asked Jen who would like to see me paint one from beginning to end. "Paint that tree. I would like to know how to paint a tree.", she replied pointing to a pine tree in the back yard.

So, this one is a study of how to put the supporting cast in after you paint the main character - I painted the tree first and then put everything else around it. As I was starting the background all I could think of was 'all roads lead to Rome'! I made a conscious effort to make most of the lines intersect or point to the pine tree. It worked! This is one of the best plein air pieces that I've done!

Number 77 - Me, Lazy? A Pine Cone Revisited

A Pine Cone Revisited

5x7, Oil on Canvas Board

So, after posting First Impression (see previous post - Number 78) I got an e-mail wondering why I got so lazy with that one. Well, I didn't think that I got lazy with it - I was simply experimenting with being painterly and laying down the fewest strokes for an impressionistic representation of a pine cone. I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't the happiest with the result, but it was what I set out to do.

I really do appreciate the feedback, though, and I didn't know that I had established a style of my own that is recognizable. After revisiting the pine cone, though, I've noticed that I HAVE developed somewhat of a style of my own! I'll try to stick closer to this style and not deviate so dramatically next time I try something new.

But I DO intend to improve on this new-found style! Continuing on...

Just for the record, I do like Revisited MUCH better than First Impression!  ;-)

Number 78 - First Impression, A Pine Cone...

First Impression, A Pine Cone

5x7, Oil on Canvas Board

Believe it or not, I was going for an impressionistic feel for this quick painting of a pine cone from my back yard. Being a detail-oriented person, this was extremely difficult for me to do without killing the whole thing by making mud. But, standing back and taking a couple of quick glances at it, I think I accomplished what I was aiming for - an impressionistic pine cone!

Number 79 - Fiery Guardian of the Garden Gate...

Fiery Guardian of the Garden Gate

5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

I spent this afternoon cleaning out the garden - cutting down and pulling out, piling up and mulching. After the garden was cleared out I had time to do a quickie painting of the thorny bush outside the garden gate. The colors are just amazing autumn reds and yellows contrasting with the still green grass. It reminded me of a sentinel or guard of sorts. I kinda cheated on the sticks and twigs - Bob Ross style!! Hehe!! Oh well, it achieved the desired effect!

Starting with the Pumpkin Trio this morning, I began using a different group of paints - Utrecht French Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Lemon, Titanium White, and Rembrandt Permanent Red Medium. All are much creamier that the paints that I've been using in the past and mix much easier and quicker! These colors also seem to create a more unified feeling - more like they belong together instead of fighting with each other for attention. I like this group so far!!

I've also noticed with today's two exercises that what I've read in Kevin Macpherson's books is definitely noticeable and a very welcome change to my painting. It's amazing what a different way of looking at a process can do for the end result!!

21 down, learning and improving!!

Number 80 - Pumpkin Trio...

Pumpkin Trio - 5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

I would be completely remiss if I didn't do something 'Halloweenish'!! Even though they weren't metamorphed into Jack-o-lanterns, they still do the job of  'screaming' Halloween!!

I'm Back - In More Ways Than One!!

I'm back from the beautiful country of Singapore! I had a wonderful time and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone there for their hospitality and generosity. It was greatly appreciated and I look forward to visiting again.

I would have been back here to the blog sooner, but life kept me on my toes as it doesn't stop when you take a trip half way around the world! And I could have done without the jet lag in such a major way!! It just saps every ounce of energy from you!

I'm back to painting this weekend, but I just wanted to share some photos from my trip first - since it's still dark outside (daylight savings time!!) and I have a few minutes...

Swissotel - Merchand Road

I stayed at the Swissotel, Merchant Road, which is right on the Singapore River and the riverwalk. The riverwalk is just a beautiful walkway with color and activity everywhere!

One of the many bridges over the Singapore River

The Lotus Grill Restaurant - On the River!

Amazing as it may seem, almost everything is within walking distance in Singapore. I walked everywhere including Chinatown, Little India, and countless eating establishments. I even made it down to the harbor for the shot that everyone who visits Singapore has to have...

The Merlion - Singapore Harbor

Many, MANY times I wished I had brought my painting gear along - there were just so many things that I would like to have painted! I could have spent the entire time just along the riverwalk!! But I got a lot of great reference shots and I even got some sketch time in! And I read two awesome books by Kevin MacPherson, Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color and Landscape Painting Inside & Out, which are most likely two of the best guides to plein air painting - at least I think so!! Look for some of the influence from these books in my future works!!

Well, the sun's finally coming up so I'm off to paint!!

Just Arrived in Singapore...

I just wanted to let you all know that my job has taken me to Singapore for the next couple of weeks, so I won't be posting any works. I'll DEFINITELY be gathering ideas and snapshots for future paintings, though!!
My return is scheduled for the 23rd of October, so look for me after that!

-- SK

Number 81 - My First Nocturne...

Wow!! A lot more difficult than I anticipated. Light and no light - Argh!! Light on the canvas, dark all around me... I'm gonna have to work on this nocturne thing!! But, here's my first attempt.

Backyard Nocturne - 5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

It's DEFINITELY darker in person, and on the canvas. Enjoy!!

Number 82 - Feathers in Blue

Feathers seem to be a subject that I still don't see other painters painting in still life. That's OK! I'll just make it my subject of choice... Maybe I've found my niche - feathers!!

Anyway, since my last foray into the subject of feathers seemed to go so well I decided to do another...

Notice that I put my models on the handy extension tray of my new Open Box M, lower left of this picture...

And, the finished painting...

Feathers in Blue - 5x7, Oil on Canvas Panel

Number 83 - The Last of the Roses...

This is the last of the roses for the 2009 season...

As sad as that might sound, I'm eager for the seasons to continue - I've been scouting out all the locations that I would like to paint in the future! There are SO MANY!!

But for now, these roses were cut and put in a vase anticipating a frost which didn't come.

I REALLY like painting on my new Open Box M!! It fits almost every canvas panel that I paint on. But I found that after painting this one, 5" is awfully close to the absolute minimums... When I finished I went to take the canvas panel out and simply grabbed it and it released from the holders and slid down to the bottom of the lid. That's OK, though!! I'm almost to the point of moving up to 6x8!!

Anyway, here's the finished painting...

The Last of the '09 Roses - 5x7, Oil on Panel

Number 84: Still A Lot of Green...

Out Standing in a Field, 5x7 - Oil on Canvas Panel

I just went out walking in one of the fields out behind my house for this one. I wanted to take my brand-spankin' new Open Box M out for a plein air spin and find some autumn color. Although the trees around here have been changing, and the leaves have been dropping, it seems that the main colors I'm seeing are still green.

I trudged up to the top of a hill and saw this little masterpiece as I looked down. Orange-reds of cedars cut down in the spring along with some autumn yellows of an old elm tree just standing by itself in a grazing field.

My primary goal in the composition of this one was to balance the lights with the darks and highlight the contrast between the two. There is a lot of light colored loess soil in the The Loess Hills of western Iowa which changes dramatically depending on the direction of the light. There are also a multitude of grasses ranging from the lighter tall grasses to the darker and greener short grasses.

All in all, this is probably one of the more difficult paintings I've done considering the many different green values and their close proximity to one another. But, standing back, I'm happy with the end result - for now!

Number 85: A Day Well Spent!

I've been busily painting this weekend, but wanted to post a couple that were done yesterday.

I had the privilege of spending time with three adorable ladies scouting out painting sites. I met up with them to visit a local nature center where we learned about the local fauna and flora. We hiked the trails and then went and painted. I painted mine fairly quickly as I needed to throw dinner together. So food was my inspiration...

And here's my rendition...

Coulda Been Salsa, 5x7 - Oil on Canvas Panel

I guess that subconsiously I like onions and jalapenos more than I like tomatoes - I made them bigger! I didn't notice that when I was painting. Anyway, there was no salsa involved, just a great salad!

The other two submissions are from my awesome painting buddies, and budding artists, Kelly and Alexis!

Kelly's First Published Artwork!!

5x7, Watercolor on Canvas Panel

Alexis's First Published Artwork!!

5x7, Watercolor on Canvas Panel

It was truly a pleasure spending the day and painting with these wonderful young ladies! It's so amazing to see things through fresh, young eyes!! I hope to do it again soon!!

Number 86: Loving Life!!

I'm doing a tribute painting this week.

I had a 'first date' with the most wonderful person I've ever had the privilege of meeting! She is a total sweetheart and we spent the entire evening sitting by a small lake talking and drinking wine, or drinking wine and talking - it depends on who's telling the story.

I've known this person for about a year, but have never had the... Well, you know how it goes sometimes...

Now, that's all well and good, but there's a back story...

I know what we're going to be doing and where we're going for this 'first date', but I don't know what kind of wine she likes. So when she tells me, I think, 'yeah, that should be easy!' only to find out NOT so easy...

Three stores later, and wine in hand, this story begins...

And here's where I am...

at the beginning...

I've got a good start... And then I get a text message from her. Do I, or don't I? I send her a photo that she watched me take while we were talking - and one that I'm thinking of putting to canvas... in addition to my 'start' above...

Our First Sunset... (Painting to come...)

She says she loves both! So, I know that I'm on the right track with the painting and I'm alright with a camera!

Well, she's only seen the beginning - of the painting - so here's the final...

Impossible Find - 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

(Not for sale...)

The name says it all!! And not only the wine, hehe!!

Needless to say, I've had the best weekend I've had in a LONG, LONG time!!

And, Jen, I REALLY do love your new shoes!! (Just for the record!!)

Never in a Million Years...

WOW!! SOLD!!

I never had the intention of selling any of my first 100, didn't even think of it! But, apparently someone likes feathers or bananas, or both, 'cuz I had an e-mail request to purchase 'Gone Bananas' and 'Feathers of a Bird'!! Talk about the ultimate critique! I'm on cloud nine!!

 

#007 Feathers of a Bird - 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

WOW!! SOLD!!

 

#009 Gone Bananas!! - 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

WOW!! SOLD!!

Thank you, so VERY much, to the purchaser!!

I'm off to paint some more!!

Beer Can Racin' - Not Slackin'... And Firsts All Around!!

I LOVE sailing!! And every chance I get to go sailing with friends, whether it's in San Diego CA,  down to Belize, or all the way up to Alaska, I take it! Sailing seems to be different everywhere I go - it's a weather strategy, water reading, wind reading, boat sliding and skipping, sail popping or luffing thing... I'm just happy to be on the boat!! Ballast, that's me!

In between official races there are unofficial, unsanctioned races called beer can races. Every yacht club has them, and they are good to test new theories or equipment before a 'real' race. This is where I find myself this week - ballast on a sailboat in a beer can race!

While not a great venue for plein air PAINTING, I took my sketch pad along with some colored pencils and tagged this action SKETCHING! Look for a painting in the near future as I LOVED this experience and I want to capture this excitement and use it for later works!

After turning around at the halfway mark, I started my sketching...

 

Notice that I captured the two boats on the left still raising their spinnakers, not quite to the top!! Oh, so cool!! It's always good to be in the boat at the front of the pack, hehe!!

This drawing only took me about seven minutes, which made the other 'ballast beer/wine drinking members' ask me how I learned to draw so fast. I briefly explained that what I did as a 'painter', mixing colors from the three primary colors and putting those colors on a canvas in the shortest amount of time possible, made me able to sketch things with pencil much, much faster.

Then I broke out my colored pencils... As quickly as I could, I captured the colors of the spinnaker sails and the reflections in the water...

The entire crew, with the boat I was on being as far ahead as it was, checked out what I was doing - including the boat's captain and owner. He and his wife offered to purchase the drawing for a substantial sum, as this was the first time their boat had won a race. I'll also be painting a handful of canvasses of this event, one for each crew member, courtesy of the owners - my first paid commission!!

Firsts all around - first time this boat had won a race, and the first time I'd been offered actual money for something I've created...

And I've received invitations to sail with a lot of other boats! I guess everyone needs ballast, hehe!

Good times, and a GREAT day!!!

Number 87: Green and Yellow Peppers

 

I gave these two a little more room to breath! Painting peppers is extremely interesting as you get a look, put down some paint, look up again and if you've moved even the slightest bit the reflections and shadows change! I was getting a little frustrated until I realized what was happening...

 

I had a lot of fun with these two and learned a lot, too! Like how may different values of green are in a green pepper.  ;-)  I hope you enjoy!

 

Yellow and Green Peppers - 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

Number 88: Smashing Peppers...

 

Today I'm painting the pepper clan. And since today marks the 'unofficial' end of summer and the beginning of autumn, I chose each of the pepper colors to transition into the fall-like color schemes.

 

It kinda looks as if I smashed these poor peppers together to get them to fit on the canvas!

 

Smashing Peppers - 5x7 Canvas on Board

Number 89: Spicing it Up...

Painted a couple of Jalapenos practicing with the palette knives. The background was done with a brush, though.

Spicing it Up - 5x7 Oil on Board

Takin' a Break for a Q&A...

I've noticed that there have been a lot of repeat questions, not only from this blog, but from all the places I frequent. In an effort to answer them all I'm going to post this Q&A with the most frequently asked questions so that everyone will find the same information from the same place.

First, if you haven't visited my blog before, welcome! I'm glad you took the time to stop by. This is where I 'hold court' so to speak - in other words, this is where I spend most of my time posting my latest efforts and answering questions about those efforts. Feel free to peruse the entries and make comments and/or criticisms on any or all of them. I'm here to learn and part of that is to take your input and incorporate that into my learning process. I can't make any promises, though. I may be on a track that's taking me to where I think I should be. But the occasional reminder as to why I shouldn't be where I am is always welcome!  ;-)

Now, on to the answers to the questions...

Q: What is your palette?
A: The last few paintings I've been using tubes from my initial foray into oil painting at the beginning of the year, those being Bob Ross Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow, Prussian Blue and Titanium White. I'm also planning on using Bright Red when I do tomatoes. Yes, that's Bob Ross paints from Weber and the answer to that question is coming up... Within the last month I've been playing around with different manufacturers' paints, like Utrecht, Rembrandt, M. Graham, Gamblin, The Art Store, and Grumbacher just to name a few. I haven't painted anything with them, just mixing different combinations to see what works and whatnot. I've also been watching out for results of painting with Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, a Black, and Titanium White, too. So, if you have any experience with that palette let me know what works.

Q: Is that really you in the picture?
A: ;-) Yes, it is. There are so few photos of me that I had to use one that my very good friend Judy took of me in August while I was in San Diego. Here's what she sent me:

And that's what I've had to work with. I look intimidating and MEAN in both, as if I'm waiting for hell to freeze over or something, but I liked the greenery in the background. When I get any with me behind an easel, I'll change it.  ;-)  And, no, I'm not mean and I'm not waiting for hell to freeze over.

Q: Your profile says that you are an Airline Trainer. Which airline do you work for?

A: I used to work for an airline that was based out of Minneapolis, MN, USA. Since the merger I now work for the world's largest airline based out of Atlanta, GA, USA. I'd mention names, but I don't want to wrangle with the legal department. They have enough to do right now.

Q: How did you get involved in oil painting?

A: Eating lunch. You might think that I'm kidding, but I'm not. While eating lunch one day almost a year ago, I turned on the TV. Now, mind you, I've only got five channels on a good day. One of them just happens to be PBS. I saw Bob Ross for the first time and he just happened to be on whenever I had lunch. So, as it goes, I was after-Christmas shopping and saw a Bob Ross painting kit. I bought it and the rest is history... I've been hooked ever since and cannot get enough!

Q: Your first painting en plein air appears to be done using a Soltek easel. All the others appear to be done using a Guerilla box. Which do you prefer?

A: Wow! Quite observant! Yes, I use both a Soltek easel and a 9x12 Guerilla Box with a tripod. And I've just ordered a 12x16 Open Box M which I should receive in a couple of weeks. And if you're REALLY observant you've noticed that I've been working with 5x7 panels exclusively and have had to improvise, adapt, and overcome based on that size. Notice the panel holders in the Soltek and the panel in the Guerilla box that I 'screw' my panels into. (Thank you, Thomas Kincaid for the 'screw it in 'til you're done' method) Now that I've mentioned it, TK is going to E-Mail me a 'Huh?'

Anyway, I love, LOVE, each one of my easels. But each has it's own time and place. Metal heats up quicker in inexcusable heat like you find in the Southwest USA during the summertime messing with the consistency of oil paint. And I imagine that it has the exact opposite effect, yet the same messing with the consistency of oil paint effect, in sub-zero weather, although I have yet to test that theory. That would apply to the Soltek easel. Wood, on the other hand, can stay loaded and ready to go in the car or truck - except in the most EXTREME cases, which, no matter which easel you're using, will probably make you question whether to go out or not. 

As much as I LOVE each of my current easels, the Soltek AND the Guerilla Box, I've got the inside scoop working for an airline and all - if you travel A LOT like I do... the Open Box M is about the size of a laptop and doesn't make the red lights start flashing going through the x-ray machine - unless you forgot to put your 3.2 oz or less tubes of paint in a 1 qt. clear plastic bag, one bag per passenger - like the Soltek always seems to do. Whenever I travel on a weekend trip with my Soltek, I always feel like Vince, the Sham-WoW guy, showing off the Soltek easel to the new group of TSA agents.  Did you get that, Camera Guy? ;-)  Don't get me wrong, I love to show off my Soltek, just not to people that don't appreciate it for what it's used for.

As a side note, I am NOT compensated in any way, shape, or form by any particular easel manufacturer for what I'm saying here. Not that I'd be adverse to being compensated, but I believe in being trustworthy. And with that said, I should be officially off the radar of any other legal folks that might be looking to wrangle, except for those representing Vince and Sham-Wow. FREE ADVERTISING - Twice!! Enough said...

Q: Do you prefer still life or en plein air?

A: I don't do this very often, but I'm going to assume that you mean still life in studio or en plein air. My choice at this point would be hold the wind, hold the rain, hold the cold, stop the sun, with extra color en plein air. But until I'm fast enough mixing and laying down color, I'm going to keep TRYING en plein air. And as long as I need to keep practicing a new technique, which seems to be always at this point, I'll do it in studio, which ironically enough means 'in study'.

That'll do it for the Q&A today. If I get any more questions that need to be addressed, I'll initiate another Q&A session. I enjoy these sessions because this is how we ALL learn!! Keep the questions coming!