"Salt Pottery with Grapes" - Daily #5

"Salt Vase with Grapes", oil on linen on panel, 6 3/4 x 6 1/4 inches

As a painter of 'chiaroscuro' (light and shadow) I'm enjoying painting these little 'dailies' in a higher key (lighter).   It's fun to put the paint on in such an impasto way.

All of these paintings are painted from life and the objects in them are life-size or smaller.  Placing the grapes in the vase gives you an idea of the scale. 

I bought this tiny little vase at a pottery sale last year and could hardly wait to paint it.   I'm sure you'll see it again one day..... 

This painting is now available at Art Country Canada Gallery

"Chinese Vase with Orange", Daily #4

                        

"Chinese Vase with Orange", oil on linen on panel 8 x 7 1/4 inches

SOLD

I love painting oranges and I also love painting orange in combination with blue.   Both are my favourite colours so I suppose that's a large part of it.   For me, it's pretty hard to go wrong with that combination.    I'm not sure if this little painting truly qualifies as a 'Daily' (where are those 'Daily Police' anyway?) because of its size, but what the heck.  I'm using up some panels that I have in inventory so it works for me.  

It's fun to see all the little paintings lined up in my studio.  Very satisfying....

"Two and A Half Shallots"- Daily #3

"Two and A Half Shallots", oil on linen panel, 4 1/4 x 9 inches

SOLD

I'm flying by the seat of my pants but seem to be getting into a rhythm with my "Dailies".   Began this unusual formatted painting but wasn't able to finish it in one day.  I'll admit, it was a little ambitious, for me, for  a 'daily', but I was so excited to use this little panel, I couldn't resist the challenge.  

The past few days our usually bright blue and sunny skies were obliterated by early morning fog that hung around all day long.   Still around today and makes for a very gloomy studio for me.   I paint from life under the north-lit windows of my studio, so as a result, on gloomy days like these it tends to make the painting day a little shorter.  I did manage to put the finishing touches on "Two and A Half Shallots" on the second day, in no time at all.

This 'Daily' is painted on linen  mounted on panel.   I make the majority of the panels myself, with the exception of the "Panelli" panel I used in my last daily painting.    The little panels I make myself are either made from masonite or mdf board which I have cut to size and then apply a few coats of acrylic primer or often I will glue to the surface scraps of my oil primed Belgian linen.  I make my larger canvases from scratch using Belgian linen that is primed with oil lead primer, which I do myself.  You can see a demo of  the process for making oil primed linen on my demonstration blog here as well as demos of dailies I painted a number of years ago. 

I should mention that not all the paintings posted to my blogs are 'Dailies'....I also post my gallery paintings, which are larger, on the site as well.

Hope you're enjoying them as much as I am painting them!  Please write or comment, I'd love to hear from you.....

"Windmill Blue" - Daily #2

"Windmill Blue", oil on panel, 6 x 8 inches

SOLD

This is my second 'Daily' painting and I have to admit, I'm really enjoying this.  I'm also

coming away with a renewed respect and admiration for 'alla prima' painters - painting a painting in 'one go'.    My usual approach is a 'direct' one; working without a drawing and with a large brush.  But, I like to build my paintings and often work on a dry surface.   Painting wet-in-wet until the painting is entirely complete is a new experience for me!   I won't lie...it was tough for me.  I wanted to leave areas til the next day knowing that I can build on the day's work.  It was tiring, knowing that each brush stroke was a final statement. 

To add to the excitement I was painting on a new surface.  Those that know me know how fussy I am about the surfaces that I paint on, making my own canvases, often from scratch, on oil primed belgian linen.   This 'Daily' is painted on a 6 x 8 inch  "Panelli" wooden panel.   You can see from the photo that it is primed with an acrylic gesso and it has an unusual finish.  Much like one would get from a roller when painting a wall.   It was unusual, but fun.

I'm hooked on these little paintings!   What fun!   I've signed it so it's done....no messing with it tomorrow.  This is what 'Daily' painting is about.

Tomorrow is a new day ... and another 'Daily Painting'.... hope you check back to see how I spend my day!

You can click on the images here and enlarge the photo.  Keep in mind that, depending on the size of your computer screen, these are very little paintings so you'll most likely be looking at an image much larger than the original!   (to get back to the blog, click on the 'back' arrow) 

Painting "Dailies" #1

Daily #1

oil on linen on panel,  5 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches

This painting is available for purchase at Art Country Canada Gallery

Recently I've been preparing for my next workshop, "Painting Dailies".   While planning the workshop I've experienced a renewed excitement for these miniature masterpieces.   Yesterday I could hardly wait to get to my studio to paint a 'Daily' again; it's been awhile.   Here is the finished painting, untitled at this point.     It is so satisfying to paint these tiny gems... and even more fun to share it with you.

I don't have a formula when painting a 'daily', it really depends on what other pieces I'm working on and how much time I have.  When I was regularly painting them several years ago, I aimed at painting one 'Daily' per week while I was working on larger gallery pieces. This seemed to work best for me at the time.

Yesterday I began this one and painted it alla prima (all in one go) in a few hours.  Tomorrow I hope to have a new one to post for you. 

Artists around the world have been smitten by the 'Daily Painting' bug, inspired by the father of the 'Painting A Day'  movement (PAD), American artist, Duane Keiser .  There are no rules in daily painting...no daily painting 'police' out there telling you that you must complete a painting today or even this week.   But I can't think of a more fun way to rapidly improve skills, create discipline and keep your work fresh.

Typically, 'Dailies' are painting in the following sizes: 6x8, 5x7, 5x5, 6x6 and other odd small sizes. 

I'm really looking forward to my 'Dailies' workshop.  The date is February 27th and 28th, 2010 and there are still a few spaces open - class size max 6-7 students.

"Venice Carpenter"

"Venice Carpenter", oil on linen/panel, 10 x 7 3/4 inches

Incredible? Unquestionably! Venice is one of the world's most fabulous cities to experience first hand. We set out early each morning, eager to explore its many treasures. One particular morning, as we left our apartment, we happened upon this enterprising craftsman who had set up his wares outside his own apartment door, just a few doors away. He was busily refurbishing what looked to be an antique, so clearly immersed in the pleasure of his task that he paid us no attention. Just a moment in time... perhaps an ordinary one at that... but one which, for me, so clearly defined the whole experience.

This painting is available for purchase through Rustica Fine Art Gallery

WORKSHOP NEWS

The past three months have flown by in a flurry of creativity! In that time, I've held four weekend workshops in my studio and each session has been a rewarding growth experience for everyone, particularly for me. I'd like to sincerely thank those people who have participated and look forward to seeing you all again.

I have some exciting plans for my upcoming workshop so please continue to visit my website at Bobbi Dunlop Fine Art and this blog for updates on new ones.

The next weekend workshop will be January 23rd and 24th, 2010. This workshop will focus on painting "Dailies"... those diminutive paintings which are overtaking artist's studios in a new phenomenon called "Daily Painting". This fast growing group of artists are painting small paintings daily - or weekly - and posting them to a blog for sale. There are as many variations to this theme as there are artists. For example, my own personal venture into this phenomenon was done while painting larger paintings so my goal was to paint one little masterpiece per week and post it to my blog. Many artists sell these paintings on eBay or on their blogs beginning at $100 each. Paintings are painted on panels or canvases in varying sizes such as: 6x8, 5x7, 8x10, 6x6, etc. Some are even smaller, 2x3! The "Dailies" are there for you to explore and only limited by your own imagination.

In addition, participants will learn how to prepare panels for their 'Dailies' - 4 panels will be supplied for the weekend workshop. We will focus on painting small still lifes, discuss setting up a free blog, selling your paintings on eBay or your blog and shipping and marketing your work. There will be a demo, and one-on-one instruction in a very small class size, in my personal studio.

All subjects/objects to paint will be supplied and there will be handouts for reference.

Painting these little "Daily" masterpieces is a wonderful way in which to challenge oneself and develop as an artist, while having fun!

Workshop Date: Saturday & Sunday, January 22nd & 23rd, 2010
Place: Bobbi Dunlop's Studio (Calgary, Alberta)
Time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $265
Class size is limited to 7 participants, so register early
Deposit: $100 with registration
All objects/subjects supplied for the still lifes as well as 4 panels and handouts.
Note: participants will require their own 'french' style easel

Please email me for further information and to register at bobbi@bobbidunlop.com

Also, please visit earlier archived posts here to see many of my "Dailies". You will also find them under Miniatures and Studies in 'Collections' on my website.

If you have any questions, I'd love to hear from you!