O Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree 2010

Pine tree

 approx 6ft x 3ft 

Merry Christmas!! A different kind of art.  The art of Christmas tree decorating.  I love the way our tree looks. I love that my house smell like pine. I love that there is a story behind each ornament. I love the presents under the tree.  I feel like I am finally getting into the Christmas spirit :) Now back to painting the Christmas birds.  I barely have 1/3 of them done and Christmas is in 3 days!!!!

Christmas Birds

I started working on my Christmas presents today. I will post images of them after Christmas when I have given them to them.  They are looking pretty awesome :) 

On another note the rain we are having right now is pretty crazy.  2 days of non stop rain and it is supposed to continue into Wednesday. Really unusual for this area but we sure do need it.  Im just hoping we dont have too many mud slides.   

Finals- Skatepark, Draped Reclining Nude

Skatepark 

oil on canvas

 16 x 20

For Clothed Figure Painting. Finished. Im happy with the final product. Different then my usual work but I like it.  Previous step.

 

 

 Draped Reclining Nude 

oil on canvas

 18 x 24

For Clothed Figure Painting. Finished.  Tiny faces will be the death of me.   Previous step.

So so happy to be done with finals.  6 weeks of a break and then back to school. 

 

Finals- Popo & Poppy, Storytime

 

Popo & Poppy

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

For Head Painting. My husband's grandparents. Finished.  I brought this to class with Lynn Gertenbach again.  Her input was invaluable. I am very happy with the finish of this.  It is going to be Popo's Christmas present.  I hope she loves it. Previous step.

 

Storytime

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

Final for Composition and Painting. Using multiple references.  Just a few changes to this.  My teacher commented that I needed to lighten the bookshelf in the background and to add more definition to the toys in the foreground.  Previous step.

 

 

2 more paintings to do.  Due tomorrow.  I am very ready to be done. 

 

 

 

Storytime

Storytime

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

Final for Composition and Painting. Using multiple references. Finished.  I will take a better picture in the daylight and post it tomorrow.  I like the finish of this.  A sweet moment between two best friends.  From the previous step I finished the girls, darkened the floor and the wall, refined things, and added toys!

One final down 2 to go, 3 paintings due Friday.  So ready to be done.  Ive got a few commissions to do that I am pretty excited about! I will post more about them as I do them.    

Bubbles, WIP- Storytime, Skatepark

 

Bubbles

oil on canvas

 18 x14

For Head Painting. Probably my favorite painting of the semester.  I love the colors. I love the bubbles. I love everything about this piece.  Reference. 

Previous step.

Storytime (wip)

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

For Composition and Painting. Using multiple references. I fixed some areas in the background and worked a bit one the girls.  I am really afraid of messing up the left girls face... The next step is to refine the girls and the background, and add some toys! Previous step.

Skatepark (wip)

oil on canvas

 16 x 20

For Clothed Figure Painting. I didnt do too much to this. I just worked on refining the figure and the foreground a bit.  My instructor remarked that she liked the loose background and that all I need to do was refine in foreground.  We will see if I like it when I put more time into it.  Previous step.

 

 

 This week is Finals week.  I have 1 painting (Storytime) due Wednesday and 3 paintings due Friday (Poppy& Popo, Skatepark, and Draped Reclining Nude).  So much to do.  So little time. I am excited to be done with this semester.  It will be one less thing on my plate, at least for a few months. 

I have found the 6 bird refs I am going to use for my Christmas present paintings.  I am excited to get these started as I have like 25 to do and Christmas is next week.  Yeah, I'm going to be painting like mad.  So lots more work to come from me in the next few weeks.  Stay posted.

WIP- Popo& Poppy

Popo & Poppy (wip)

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

For Head Painting. My husband's grandparents.  I worked more on creating 3D forms.  I brought this to class with Lynn Gertenbach and she helped me to work out the shapes of the figures.  Im doing nice thin layers with this one too start.  Much different then I usually do.  Im liking the results though. Previous step.

WIP- Storytime

Storytime (wip)

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

For Composition and Painting. Using multiple references. Basic lay in, just putting paint on canvas.  I like to way the girls look but I need to fix the perspective in the background. 

WIP- Bubbles, Draped Reclining Nude, Popo & Poppy, Skatepark

 

Bubbles (wip)

oil on canvas

 18 x14

For Head Painting. Im having fun with this one.  I love all of the colors. Reference. 

Draped Reclining Nude (wip)

oil on canvas

 18 x 24

For Clothed Figure Painting.  From my personal reference files.  Softened out the skin tone and adjusted the background.  Im having issues with the face though.  I tried putting it in, hated it, and wiped it out.

Any tips?  That is still the biggest struggle for me. Tiny faces.  I think I get too caught up in the details.  Previous step.

Popo & Poppy (wip)

oil on canvas

 20 x 16

For Head Painting. My husband's grandparents.  Basic lay in, lights and darks.  The colors choices have to do with their races.  She is Chinese, he is Japanese.  I dressed her in red because that is a color of luck in Chinese culture.  I did the background green because it has positive meaning in both cultures.  I may do a glaze of a darker brown over the background to give it a bit more depth.

Skatepark (wip)

oil on canvas

 16 x 20

For Clothed Figure Painting. 

Super loose with this.  I enjoyed doing it :)
Not sure I like the background.  I think it needs more. Reference from my personal stash.

2 weeks left of school!! Im so ready to be done.
Im excited for the projects I am going to do during winter break since I will have time.  I want to get my creative juices flowing again.  For my brother in law I am going to do a giant (like 3ft x 5ft) painting of a wild fire because he is a wild land fire fighter.  It is his Christmas/ birthday present.  For Christmas gifts for our friends and family I think I am going to do little 8 x 10 watercolor paintings.  Something simple like winter birds.  We will see if I have time to get all of this done.  I hope so.

On a totally unrelated note, I have discovered Pandora and I love it.  It is great to have on while I am up to my ears in paintings.  Today I have been listening to Colbie Caillat Radio.  Great songs :)

Draped Reclining Nude (wip)

 

 Draped Reclining Nude (wip)

oil on canvas

 18 x 24

For Clothed Figure Painting.  From my personal reference files.  Im liking the lose style of this but I think I need to improve the proportions.  Im not sure if I like the background or not I may complete it or maybe add other colors.  

Attitude

 

Attitude 

oil on canvas

11 x 14

For Head Painting.  I enjoy doing profiles.  Im getting better with each one of these I do.  Reference.

Blondie, Sadness, Adam Again, A Good Book

 

 Title: Blondie

Medium: oil on canvas

Size:11 x 14

Inspiration:  For Head Painting. Im happy with this one.  It flowed out easily.  I didnt have to fight with it.  It just worked.  A nice change from my usual artistic struggles.  Reference.  

 

 Title: Sadness

Medium: oil on canvas

Size:11 x 14

Inspiration:  For Head Painting. Create a mood.  Im also happy with this one.  I also didnt struggle with this one.  Some of the proportions are a bit off but overall I think I was successful in completing the assignment.  Reference. 

 

 

 Title: Adam Again

Medium: oil on canvas

Size:11 x 14

Inspiration:  For Head Painting. Use two light sources.  This one is much better than my last attempt at painting him.  Not my best portrait of him but still good. 

 

 Title: A Good Book

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 16x20

Inspiration:  For Composition and Painting.  School provided reference photo. The finish of this.  I love the blanket.  The face could still use a bit of work. 

California November Double Date

 Title: California November Double Date

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 16x20

Inspiration:  For Composition and Painting.  Love this.  Ive stopped using medium when I paint and I am liking the finished pieces better.  Much richer looking. 

Monday's Art- Candle Light, Self Nov2010, Seduction

 Title: Candle Light

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11x14

Inspiration:  For Head Painting.  Lit from below. I did something different with this where I didnt draw it out first and just concentrated on the shapes.  I think it worked.  Not perfect but good.  Reference.  

 Title: Self Nov2010

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11x14

Inspiration:  For Head Painting. I love the right side of the face.  The left side gave me a bit of trouble. 

 Title: Seduction

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 18x24

Inspiration:  For Clothed Figure Painting. Bigger canvas was interesting.  I need to use much more paint then I am used to.  Reference found here.  

Previous step:

 

A Good Book (wip)

 

 Title: A Good Book (wip)

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 16x20

Inspiration:  For Composition and Painting.  School provided reference photo. Looking good so far. 

Initial drawing:

Mascarados Da Corda

Title: Mascarados Da Corda

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 9 x 12

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. Working on first and second reads to a painting.

A little info on Mascarados Da Corda and their job: "Bullfighting on a rope", in which the movements of the bull are conditioned by a rope held by a group of men, formerly called mascarados da corda (masked men of the rope).  

If you interested in more info check out http://www.azores.com/azores/terceira.php?attribute=20

Black Robe 2.0

Title: Black Robe

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. I felt it was unfinished so I took it to art class with Lynn Gertenbach today and she helped me bring it to a more complete finish. Previous step.

Black Robe

Title: Black Robe

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. Now working on the figure.  I took this photo as reference for Clothed Figure Painting.  The model is my friend Ali.  I love the finish of the robe. I did the first 2 hours of this while at work at the skatepark :)

Female Profile, Spring Ali, Self Portrait (wip)

Title: Female Profile

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Head Painting. Love love love this!  Lots of work.  Beautiful finish.  Reference from CuriousPeaches

Previous step began in class with Lynn Gertenbach:

 

Title: Spring Ali

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 14 x 18

Inspiration: For Clothed Figure Painting. Working on successfully depicting a pattern.  I need to adjust the arms but overall it looks good. 

Title: Self Portrait (wip)

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Head Painting. Initial block in of the darks.  I love that the face finder on my camera recognized this :)

Happy Halloween Pumpkins

 

 

Title: Kitty Pumpkin

Medium: carving in pumpkin

Size: medium pumpkin

Inspiration: For Halloween!  This year I dressed up as my kitty Indigo.  I kept the theme with my pumpkin :) 

Below is mine and my husbands. 

PCH Postcard, Camarillo Ranch

 

Title: PCH Postcard

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 9 x 12

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting.  Take a post card and continue it.  I love this.  It was super fun to do.  My only issue is the oil sort of soaked into the edges of the postcard making the edges a bit darker.  Otherwise, I think it turned out awesome!

 

Title: Camarillo Ranch (updated)

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. I went back into and added some "fog".  I felt like the white house was competing with with tree too much.  I want the house to be more of a second read.  I like it better now. Previous step.

Bellydancer in Blue, Dad, Winter Wear

Title: Bellydancer in Blue

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 14 x 18

Inspiration: For Clothed Figure Painting.  I love the movement in this. Reference from mjranum-stock. 

 

Title: Gilbert aka Dad

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Head Painting. I didnt end up turning this upside down.  I got some feedback from my instructor and applied that.  I darkened the background and the dark side of the face.  I am pleased with the finished piece.  I took about 20 pounds and 10 years off of him though :) Previous step.

Title: Winter Wear

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 18 x 24

Inspiration: For Clothed Figure Painting for midterm.I struggled through this.  I am really struggling with this class.  I dont really enjoy the work I am producing.  I know compared to my very first attempts at figure painting I have gotten much better.  It is still challenging.  Previous step.

Gilbert aka Dad

Title: Gilbert aka Dad(wip)

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Head Painting.  I think my next step is going to be turning it upside down.  

CA-18 & Camarillo Ranch

Title: CA-18

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. The drive down the hill from Big Bear Lake.  Previous step. 

Title: Camarillo Ranch

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Composition and Painting. My first time plein air painting.  I really loved the light pattern on the trunk of the tree.  The upper left gave me some trouble.  Overall I think it is pretty successful! 

Hippie, Adam, Red Flower

 

Title: Hippie 

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: For Clothed Figure Painting.  My favorite painting of the week. 

 

Title: Adam

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 12 x 16

Inspiration: For Head Painting.  Not my best portrait of him. Some things are off. 

Title: Red Flower

Medium: oil on canvas

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: For Head Painting.  Same model for "Hippie".  I like the colors. 

AAU Drawing Workshop on the Queen Mary

Title: Female Figure From Life 1

Medium: charcoal on paper

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: Academy of Art University had a meet up for the online students.  Craig Nelson did a workshop with a live model.  For this one he said to just draw. 20 minutes. 

Title: Female Figure From Life 2

Medium: charcoal on paper

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: Academy of Art University had a meet up for the online students.  Craig Nelson did a workshop with a live model. This was done after he gave a little demo.  I was influenced by his demo and tried using multiple kinds of charcoal.  20 minutes. 

 

Title: Female Figure From Life 3

Medium: charcoal on paper

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: Academy of Art University had a meet up for the online students.  Craig Nelson did a workshop with a live model. More of trying the different charcoals. 20 minutes.  

 

Title: Female Figure From Life 4

Medium: charcoal on paper

Size: 11 x 14

Inspiration: Academy of Art University had a meet up for the online students.  Craig Nelson did a workshop with a live model. More experimenting. 20 minutes.

It really enjoyed the process of doing these.  It was quite freeing knowing Im not being graded and that they didnt have to be perfect.  I think I may do more of these in the future.