Model in Blue Shawl

This watercolor was done last year in Garberville's life drawing session. The group no longer meets and I sure miss it.  I offer this on DPW http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/490847

Newborn

Two of my granddaughters have had babies this past October and November so this is what I think about lately.  I worry over being too sentimental but throwing her head into shadow helps I think. 

"Scissors & Flowers," study

This painting is just a study....messing around with mixed media over a watercolor that had value problems.  Just one half step darker than you should on a white object in shadow and you loose the form.  It's not a white vase anymore.  The same with light colored flowers.  Since I hate to use puddle colors in watercolor...(and you have to in the lighter values) I usually get things too dark.  I'm speaking of direct alla prima watercolor (no layers) Also my watercolors suffer because I don't do them often in preference to oil.  I still love watercolor though and plan to do more and use this blog as a sounding board.  Any comments are totally welcome. 

Rose Abstract

I'm keeping with the limited palette of 4 colors and white here but the painting took a turn into the abstract.  I let go there but don't know how I feel about it just yet.

Window Ledge Bouquet

I was experimenting with a limited palette here. (4 colors & white) The colors were Viridian, cad yellow pale, cad red deep and permanent rose.....no blue.  It's quite interesting and lots of premixing was necessary because let's face it, I was not used to it.  Normally, I have my entire array of colors to pick from.  I was finding that pet mixtures were dominating my work and I wanted to break out thus this palette.  I got it from an older Charles Sovek book.  He was one of my teachers. 

This little painting (7 x 5) is at auction on DailyPaintWorks. Opening bid $50 or buy it now $75 and free shipping    here

Picking Apples

This is from a photo reference.  I photographed my good friend and fellow painter Peg Anderson many years ago in a white gown (my idea totally) Looking at the series of shots I became very interested in the stark contrast of the dark apple tree in shadow and the background bright  sunlit area and particularly what happens to white in this setting.  It's a small painting (8 x 6) finished in one intense setting and it's still very wet. sold

November in the Park

Fellow painter, Cietha, and I braved the cold morning and painted in the community park.  We walked around for about 30 minutes and then just set up and painted.  Awkward as heck, big coat, gloves etc but we managed.  This was no way near the cold of painters of snow like Aldro Hibbard and the like endured for their paintings but the stress was there.  I think it helped to be a little uncomfortable and hopefully the urgency shows.  Sure couldn't get fussy.  8 x 8 inches oil on lead prime linen panel and is offered (auction) at DailyPaintWorks. here