Open Figure Painting

I decided at the last moment to go to an open (no instructor) figure drawing/painting evening. There is a live model who does very short poses while the artists quickly draw and warm up. The model then goes into half an hour poses so there is time to put in more than big shapes. I have only gone once before and although intimidated by the art work created, really enjoyed the experience. This night was no different except for the male model. He was very professional and the whole evening flew by.

I am going to have to go more often as I learn so much by observing and translating the human body. I don't like to draw or go by myself so the whole event is a challenge for me. Here is my art from a couple of the longer poses (covered up for child viewing):

 

 

These were done on large newsprint paper 36" x 23" with charcoal, conte and large child sized pastels.

 

 

 

 

"Blue Jar Of Happiness"

What a great way to bring warmth indoors...with flowers and paint! The actual jar/vase was green but seeing how I had an artistic license in hand and a favourite colour in mind.....ta da, blue vase.

"Blue Jar of Happiness"

9" x 12" Oil on canvas board
$100 unframed

"Warm/Cool Figure"

This was painted after the Calgary FCA Holly McWilliams workshop. We had painted the figure in her workshop with the warm being on her front and the cool on her back. I painted it again at home (smaller) but reversed the way she is facing and worked on her front being cool and back warm. You can see the previous painting on Tuesday, November 26 2013.

"Warm/Cool Figure"

Oil on canvas board 16" x 8"

"Winter Tulips"

I painted this during one of our snow storms. I needed and wanted something bright and cheery to offset the dreary outside blowing snow. This was painted with brushes and a palette knife, very textural and with the dark background the tulips pop out. It is fun to look at as well as brightens my art studio.

"Winter Tulips"

Oil on board 8" x 8" 
$75 unframed (plus shipping)

 

I really enjoy this 8" x 8" format for flowers as it looks great unframed on a small table easel in my studio....love when I can paint and enjoy it right away!

Toast to Maui Sunset #1

This painting is from the end of a week's holiday in Maui. The sunsets are quick but beautiful. The wineglass was filled with beautiful sunset colours reflected in the white wine. The wine like the sunset, quickly disappeared!

 

"Toast to Maui Sunset #1"

Oil on canvas panel    9" x 12"

 

I plan on doing at least 3 different paintings of this scene (hence the #1) in different sizes and colours.



Drop in Figure Drawing/Painting

What fun last night was! I finally went to a figure drawing/painting open time (no instruction). There were artists drawing in pencil, pastel, water colour and oil painting. The model was accidentally booked for the wrong night so the moderator did short poses (clothed). The moderator was wearing a heavy long sweater and jeans.

 I worked in oils and just wiped my board off after each pose. Luella beside me gave me a piece of paper and suggested I try to paint on it so I could layer and add colour (bottom painting). It felt really dry and I had to really push the paint to move it initially but will certainly do that again. I took photos of some of the quick studies before I wiped them off my board.

If any other Calgary artists are interested, it is drop in on Monday nights from 6pm-9pm at Atlantis Framing. It appears that most of the artists there come weekly. Next week is also pot luck so bring a plate, utensils and something to share!

 

I was just wiping off the lighted area of the face when time was up.

This one looks scary but I was just starting to wipe out the paint in the lit area of the face and hand.

This one is on paper wrapped around my board. A longer pose with time to get the shapes in better but no details.

 

"Nanking Cherries"

I started this painting at the end of Dreama Tolle Perry's workshop in May. Life seriously went sideways and I finally just finished it. It certainly feels good to be painting again!

"Nanking Cherries"

Oil on linen panel 8"x8"

 

Holly McWilliams Workshop

What a fun, energetic and wonderful learning experience it was on the weekend with the FCA Calgary workshop with Holly McWilliams. We all drew then painted the same figure photo reference, learning how to make the body warm and cool (hence the two sides painted differently). It was really fun to work with purples, yellows, reds and blues for the figure.

On Saturday we watched Holly demo and fill our brains with so much interesting information, then we went on to paint on our own. On Sunday we worked on our figure again, then moved on to a photo of our choosing (that is why some of the figure paintings were
 not finished). Holly taught both oil and acrylic at the same time which was wonderful to hear and understand.

 

"Figure in Warm and Cool"

20" x 10" oil on board

 It was a very fun workshop with a wonderful group of artists led by the much loved Holly.

A sad "See you later" to the Pettitt Superman

"In Memory of our Superman - Clay Pettitt"

8" x 10" Acrylic on board

I painted this in an effort to release some of the sadness and shock of my cousin Clay's passing. He died suddenly of a brain aneurism leaving shock, anger, heart brokenness and disbelief. He was the Pettitt family's Superman.

The back of the board was painted bright yellow, a reference to the ray of sunshine he was in so many lives. I printed comments that friends and family had said about Clay on Facebook around song words that meant so much to his wife. Clay loved with all his heart and knew he was loved back!

Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors

 

"Sponge Toffee Meets Terracotta Warriors"

Oil on canvas 16" x 20"

 

I received 3 photographs via email from my friend Joan. She had recently been to Bryce Canyon and aptly had already named her photo. Joan is always very generous and allows me to paint whatever she sends me from her world travels. With a title like this one and the wild colours, it was just what I needed to get into painting again! Thanks Joan, keep 'em coming! The bit of shine is from the still wet painting.