"Natasha" - completed painting, 16x12, oil on linen

"Natasha", 16x12, oil on linen

Here is the completed painting of Natasha.  My buddy, professional photographer Geoff Williams, photographed the painting for me.  He always does such a nice job.

To see the image larger, click on the image - use your browser 'back' button to get back to the blog.

"NATASHA" - work in progress

                                         
"Natasha", 16x12, oil on linen, work in progress

                                       
"Natasha", 16x12, oil on linen, work in progress
                                         

"Natasha" - detail

I'd like you to meet Natasha. Natasha is the lovely friend of my daughter Danica, who has graciously agreed to sit for me in my studio one day a week for the past number of weeks. In addition to being a beautiful model, Natasha is great company.

Figurative painting has been a passion for me since I was a little girl drawing all the important people in my life. While I've managed to paint a few portraits and figures each year, in the last few years I've decided to get more serious about it. Since I paint from life, it can sometimes be a bit problematic finding someone willing to sit for me for the hours required to complete a painting. (I have many unfinished paintings in my studio, as a result.) In addition, being so accustomed to painting from life I've found that when using a photo I'm unhappy with the results.

This painting was done from a photo taken of Natasha during a life session and supported by numerous painted studies. I began this small painting with the idea of doing a 1/2 hour quick study from the photo, wiping it clean and beginning again with the same idea. My friend, artist Liz Wiltzen, encouraged me to try this, in order to approach painting from the photo as if I was painting from life. Liz has lots of great ideas and this sounded like a winner.

This particular morning saw me at my studio with this idea in mind. I grabbed a fresh canvas - untoned, gave it a quick wash of burnt umber and ultramarine blue, barely discernible from the photo, and enthusiastically began. Well, I must confess, 1/2 hour turned into an hour and pretty soon into an hour and I was having so much fun that before I knew it, I'd devoted the whole day to this painting. As I told Liz later, it was just too much fun to wipe off as suddenly it felt like I wasn't using a photograph at all. Mission accomplished!

In addition to working from the photo with hopeful results, I was able to paint 'alla prima', attempting to finish things as I went (Alla prima comes from Italian, literally meaning "at once".)

So, the moral of the story is...paint from a photo as if you're painting from life - with gusto, and follow Liz' exercise advice.

Natasha and others will continue to sit for me each week. Truly, painting from life is where progress and growth lies - and that's all that truly matters.

This painting is now complete and I will post a photo of the completed painting in a few days.

"Petite Pitcher" - Daily #10

"Petite Pitcher", oil on panel, 8 x 6

I have such an assortment of vases and vessels in my studio - it's a candy store for the still life painter.  The great thing about doing these little 'dailies' is having the opportunity to paint anything I want.  I've had my eye on this little pitcher but not had the opportunity to do it justice with my brush, until now.  The floral pattern has almost worn off over time and many years of handling.

This painting is available at Art Country Canada Gallery

"Mac" - Daily #9

"Mac", oil on panel, 6 x 6 inches

I love painting little round Mac apples!   There is just something indescribable about putting pieces of paint on a surface to create such simple beauty.

This was the demo that I painted at my "Painting Dailies" workshop a few weeks ago.   I wasn't able to finish it in the few minutes that I did the demonstration but I did go back to it a few days later and this is the end result.

The workshop was a huge success and participants managed to complete as many as 4 'Dailies' in the 2-day-workshop, working from life.   I was truly impressed!  In addition, everyone learned how to prepare and prime panels for their 'dailies', as well as en plein air painting.

This painting is available for purchase at Art Country Canada Gallery

"Ochre Vase" - Daily #8

"Daily" -  "Ochre Vase", oil on panel, 6 x 6 inches

This tiny ochre vase has made an appearance in several of my larger works so far.  I love its colour and its beautiful little shape.

For my recent "Painting Dailies" workshop, I prepared a bunch of panels for the participants and for my own use.   This is one of them.   I found working on the smooth acrylic primed panel a little different from my linen... a change of surface is always fun!

This painting is available at Art Country Canada Gallery

"Spring Pasture" Daily Painting #7

"Spring Pasture", oil on linen on panel, 6 x 8 inches (appx)

 

I love cows and I also love to paint them.   I photographed these cows many years ago and have painted them several times.   I can still remember this day as if it was yesterday.

This painting is now available for purchase at Art Country Canada Gallery/

"Angela" Daily Painting # 6

"Angela", oil on linen on panel, 8 x 5 3/4 inches

Very important portrait in a very tiny format!   Lots of fun painting this alla prima portrait of Angela...  A great way to work out a larger painting.

This painting is now available at Art Country Canada Gallery