"Crabapples", oil on panel, 5.5x6 inches

"Crabapples", oil on panel, 5.5x6 inches

SOLD

One of the great things about taking on a project to paint dailies is that it's a wonderful way tochallengeoneself, keep your work fresh and develop as an artist.  It's with this pursuit in mind that I begin each new painting.  I love to begin paintings and for me, this is the easy part.  The challenge is always in finishing the work in such a way that it retains its freshness and doesn't get overworked.  

Our neighbour has the most beautiful bounty on their crabapple tree and I could hardly wait to snip a few branches to set up for one of my little paintings. I'd been looking forward to painting these little rosy apples and so was totally sandbagged by the difficulty that was presented. 

It was, by virtue of the small format, a very simple concept; no difficulty there.  But as I quickly got into the painting I struggled with areas of it, not the least of which was dealing with the speed in which the greenery wilted. In the end, since I worked on it over a few days, I just went with the wilting, curling leaves and tried to make the most of it.

There comes a certain point in every painting where aesthetics trump the concept - or the reality. An artist must always be cognizant of this and be willing to look for possibilities that present themselves along the way, for the beauty of the painting.  

In this particular instance, it became increasingly clear that the table top that I'd set up my still life on was competing with my beautifully rosy round apples and sabatoging my painting.  Once I'd established this and altered the surface to a more neutral colour, allowing the beautiful apples to be the star of the show, things began to hum again. 

2009 OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Bobbi Dunlop's unique workshops offer a challenge to artists at all levels. Workshops will take place in Bobbi's spacious studio where students will enjoy painting subjects from life under large north-lit windows. In addition to painting demonstrations by the artist and teaching students about painting, Bobbi will share her painting philosophy, the business side of art and life of the professional artist.


ABOUT BOBBI DUNLOP'S 'VISUAL JOURNEY' WORKSHOPS:

All students will require a 'french style' easel for the workshops. Each student will be emailed a supply list and registration form. There will be an additional $20 fee for the model in figurative workshops.

In keeping with Bobbi's philosophy about painting, the student will benefit from each workshop and may use one to build upon another. As the student will learn, subject matter is not an issue, however, elements in painting are continuous, no matter the genre. Therefore, the student will benefit from enrolling in following workshops as the student builds on knowledge learned in Bobbi's previous ones.

PAINTING THE STILL LIFE FROM LIFE, IN OIL

In the still life workshop, Bobbi will take each student through the process of setting up the still life, emphasizing the importance of beginning a painting with a “concept” firmly in mind. Painting in a direct manner, consideration will be given to abstract design, colour, value, edges and more. In particular, students will learn how to 'see' and experience the 'joy'of putting paint on canvas. The artist will demonstrate at the workshop.


PAINTING THE FIGURE FROM LIFE, IN OIL

In this workshop, students will enjoy the process of working with and painting a model, from life. Students will be guided through the process of setting up, lighting and painting the live model, in a direct manner. In addition, all the elements of a strong painting will be emphasized - creating a concept, abstract design, colour, value, edges and more. The student will have the choice of painting the full figure, 3/4 figure or head-and-shoulders. The artist will demonstrate at the workshops. There will be an extra model fee of $20.00 for this workshop.

2009 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

1. September 19th & 20th, 2009"
A Visual Journey: Painting the Still Life From Life, in Oil"

Location: Bobbi Dunlop Studio, NW Calgary
Workshop Dates: September 19th and 20th, 2009
Class Size: Min. 7, Max 9 students Hours: 9am - 4pm each day
Note: Student must have their own 'french' easel for this workshop - details on supply list
Skill Level: painting experience necessary
Cost: Early bird incentive - $265.00 (must register with deposit)
Price after August 19th - $295.00
-all still life objects supplied at workshop

2. October 17th & 18th, 2009
"A Visual Journey: Painting the Figure from Life, in Oil"

Location: Bobbi Dunlop Studio, NW Calgary
Workshop Dates: October 17th and 18th, 2009
Class Size: Min. 7, max. 9 students, Hours: 9am - 4pm each day
Note: Student must have their own 'french style' easel for this workshop - details on supplylist
Skill Level: painting experience necessary
Cost: Early Bird incentive - $265.00 + $20 model fee (must register with deposit)
Price after September 26th, - $295.00 + $20 model fee

3. October 31st & November 1st, 2009
"A Visual Journey: Painting the Still Life from Life, in Oil"

Location: Bobbi Dunlop Studio, NW Calgary
Workshop Dates: October 31st & November 1st, 2009
Class Size: Min. 7, max. 9 students, Hours: 9am - 4pm each day
Note: Sudent must have their own 'french style' easel for this workshop - details on supply list
Skill Level: painting experience necessary
Cost: Early Bird incentive - $265.00 (must register with deposit)
Price after October 10th - $295
-all still life objects supplied at workshops

4. November 21st & 22nd, 2009
"A Visual Journey" Painting the Figure from Life, in Oil"

Location: Bobbi Dunlop Studio, NW Calgary
Workshop Dates: November 21st & 22nd, 2009
Class Size: Min. 7, Max 9 students Hours: 9am - 4pm each day
Note: Student must have their own 'french' easel for this workshop - details on supply list
Skill Level: painting experience necessary
Cost: Early bird incentive - $265.00 + $20 model fee (must register with deposit)
Price after November 1st - $295.00 + $20 model fee

5. December 5th & 6th, 2009
'A Visual Journey" Painting the Still Life from Life, in Oil"-details above

LOOK FOR BOBBI'S 2010 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE. ALL WORKSHOP INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND ON HER WEBSITE AT http://www.bobbidunlop.com/ and her blogs http://www.rembrandtetc.blogspot.com/ and http://www.dunlopdemonstrations.blogspot.com/ Please email Bobbi at bobbi@bobbidunlop.com with any questions. Thanks for your interest!

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" and Demonstration

"Turkish Urn with Oranges" - oil on Belgian linen, 22x26

This is a photo of my most recent large painting. After discovering this weather worn Turkish urn in a market several months ago, it was simply a matter of time til it won a place of honour in one of my still life paintings. I was looking for a minimalistic concept, in keeping with the functional, utilitarian nature of the urn. No frills. Nothing to take away from its faded, but once beautiful, facade. Toward that end, I used a fairly limited palette. As you can see, it is very much about earthy yellows, oranges and greens. This limited use of colour - or non-colour - serves to enhance the miniature china cup with its lovely blue painted windmill pattern. My small tribute to Rembrandt. I purchased this cup on our trip to Amsterdam last spring, to visit Rembrandt's home and studio, as well as the Rijksmuseum.

DEMONSTRATION:

I have photographed the stages while painting this and plan to post it very soon in my demonstration blog at Dunlop Demonstrations Hope you enjoy it!

"Tulips and Windmills"

Oil on prepared panel
Available
Please email me at rembandtetc@hotmail.com or bobbi@bobbidunlop.com for purchasing information.
Another little chiaroscuro painting which I began a few weeks ago, prior to my trip to Germany, Italy and New Mexico. Put the finishing touches on the tulip today, as well as the windmill pattern on the china. Couldn't resist painting a grape..... see detail of this painting above.

"Petite Ochre Pot" - SOLD

Daily Painting - "Petite Ochre Pot" oil on panel
SOLD

"China Box"

Available
This second daily painting again stars the small square china box. The once vibrant greenery, now yellowed and brittle, does not go unappreciated in my studio.