Violet Underpainting

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my painting teacher has implemented a class syllabus which begins with 3 mandatory paintings. This is the beginning stage of one of those paintings.

The reference photo, which I'll scan and post with the finished painting, is of three apples sitting on the back of a sofa in a very sunny window. Joyce has quite a few of these photos with either apples or pears. I painted another version of these apples last year using a palette knife.

I enjoy this approach of scrubbing in the values...finding the negative spaces between the apples to help define the apples. Next step, applying the color in the right value based on the values in the underpainting.

Have a good day!



Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Pears In A Sunny Window

It's been so great to get back to my class schedule after the holiday break. My teacher, Joyce Hall, has given us a wonderful curriculum for the year. It was designed to take the new student from the first class through a variety of exercises over an extended period of time. These twelve exercises are technique based and each requires us to paint two paintings, one sample from a folder of references and the second from a reference of our own, after we complete three mandatory paintings. So that would be 27 paintings in all.

The first required painting is the "onion painting" which I posted earlier. The next painting is the above Pear painting in which we're required to do a violet underpainting with a large filbert and complete with a flat starting with the dark areas and moving to the lightest. This photo makes that couch back where the pears are sitting look more purple than it actually is. I need to get my photo tent set up and use my tripod for better photos.

Next week I'll have the apple painting which is done as a violet underpainting with a large filbert and finishing dark to light with a filbert. That will complete the first three mandatory paintings and then I'll move on to the 12 exercises each to be done twice with a class reference and a personal reference.

I love having a plan for study all mapped out!

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Happy New Year

Can you believe that it's 2009? What happened to 2008? If you're like me it's a blur of memories...many good, but some not so good. Those are all the memories that contribute to the people we become, day by day, so we need to embrace them all.

I'm trying to get back to painting regularly after being very hit or miss since last Summer. Here is a larger painting for me...it's 16x20. I love the colors...especially the cool greens.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Kathy

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Old Brass Pot

Surprised to hear from me again so soon?! I thought so! This is a 8x10 study of an old brass pot. As I mentioned in my last post I'm trying to loosen up and not sweat the details!

The surface is a canvas panel and will fit in most 8 x 10 picture frames. I find a frame that I like and simply move the glass from the front of the frame to behind the panel for support.

$45 includes shipping. Please e-mail me at the address below.

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

One Pair

It's suddenly June and with it comes hurricane season here in the South! Where does the time go?!

I painted this pair of pears a few weeks ago and wanted to share it with you. I'm working on painting fast and loose. I've decided to stick with these small format paintings for a while so I can focus on this loose "painterly" style and further my study of color theory as well.

I have another painting drying and a third that I'll finish tomorrow!

Kathy

Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Red Fox

I just realized that it's been over a month since I posted last. I don't know where the time goes! I've been busy working, dealing with Eddie's recovery after another surgical procedure 6 weeks ago, and trying to fit in my painting classes.

This painting of a red fox will be exhibited in the Student Show at The Studio on Ashley River Road here in Charleston. There will be an open house and reception tomorrow, Sunday April 13 from 2pm to 6pm. If you're in the area please stop by!


Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com

Apples In A Sunny Window

This week at my oil class Joyce Hall, my instructor, did a demo using a palette knife. She then gave us each a copy of the same photo and we all went to work...palette knives a blazing!

What fun! Joyce kept reminding us that it's like frosting a cake! Well I sure have a lot of "frosting" on this baby!

The joy of art, to me, is exploring new mediums, styles and techniques. And this one put a huge smile on my face. I look forward to painting many more with my trusty palette knife!


Contact Kathy At kathysweeney@gmail.com