Showing posts with label painting in progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label painting in progress. Show all posts

Thursday, June 10, 2010

On My Easel

Alberta Blue with Poplar Leaves
20" x 24" - not yet finished

A while ago I began this canvas with painting a blue sky which is typical of this part of Alberta where I live. I then began painting poplar leaves in fall, which is what the "forest" in our backyard consists of. However, I did not count for the difficulty of covering this blue with layer upon layer of acrylic yellow paint.

Finally, after at least 4-5 glazes, I decided that this painting was destined to become "mixed media", so I stared the leaves again - this time with oil paint. As you can see, it is about 2/3rd's complete - with some of the branches to be detailed, the stems to be completed, and some leaves to receive detailed vein work. However, I am now hopeful that it will be finished before I am very old... which it might not have been if I continued with the acrylic yellow over the deep blue.

Lesson learned: leave the spaces for painting acrylic yellow leaves WHITE canvas instead of trying to paint them over an intense blue background. It will take you YEARS if you don't!!!!


Friday, February 26, 2010

Tulips in progress



This is what is currently on my easel... an oil painting of tulips on paper. I absolutely LOVE the brilliance and clarity of the colors in oils. The smoothness of the paper also helps to intensify the colors as the paint sits up on the surface, not needing to fill in the dips of the weave of a canvas.

This is the first time I have done oils on paper - and this is just the first pass at this painting - so now I have to wait to see how long it will be before I can go back in and add details. An experiment for sure - but such FUN!