The Scent of Paint.

 my studio is in my kitchen.  the oil paint gets messy.  i have nearby

sheets of blotting paper to cover this up when i am done working for

the day.  i don't need inspiration to work.  i just work.  right now i'm

still working on the 22" square with the standing figure.  it's leaning 

against a gold verre eglomise of keys.  it's not finished.

this morning the scent of the paint was a bit heavy in the kitchen.

i took the paper off the palette.  got out the easel and started to work.

decided to take the figure off the center of the canvas.  re drawing,

trying to relate some color notes.  not too picky.  just trying to 

stay out of the center.

2 hours this morning brings me to this.  i will leave the set up for a bit.

go for a short walk.  have some lunch.  and start again.  i have six hours

to paint.  or stretch another canvas.  maybe both.

best, and onward.

deb.

Cezanne Phase

It was '98 or '99 when Fred Kepler studied with me.  We both painted when he came for his lessons. My paintings were used as 'training' paintings that i used to demonstrate various techniques, color mixing, approaches to composition, etc. as the painting developed. The Cezanne phase painting above is the result of Fred's visits to the studio over an 8 week period.  

The still life above is 26x32" .  We  set the still life up in the center of the floor under studio lights which were staggered warm/cool/warm/cool in overhead tracts.  Cezanne was the compositional reference.  I did not use Cezanne color theory in my work; I needed to learn how to use black and white gray.   That was my lesson.  Fred's lesson was composition with warm/cool color theory and drawing thrown in.  

Today Fred visits the world's great paintings with his dear Lenore.  I have seen some terrific paintings that he has done of Lenore, of other people standing in front of the masterpieces.  He has learned to teach himself by copying the best paintings, while sharing his love of art with his wife and having a great time.  He has even come to know the joy of selling some of his work!  

So glad I did not throw this painting away.  I was tempted to over the years, but some of those creases are just too awesome to not be admired.  oh, the braided rug is one of the Willis family treasures.  I sure hope I didn't get too much paint on that beauty.

best and onward,

deb.

i'm getting over a nasty head cold with the double whammy of seasonal allergies.  i've taken care of business today, and looked at my garden.  i'll have more energy tomorrow.  then, back to the paint.

It Starts with the Paint

this 22" Square has been drying for a few days.

the surface is now dry.  will start with turquoise.  haven't been able 

to mix it, maybe a pthaloblue base will work?  this has been in the

back of my mind for days.

this morning i rummaged through my art supply stash looking for damar

varnish.  came up empty on the varnish; found a giant tube of Winsor & Newton 

"Turquoise" which is Pthalocyanine Blue, a pigment derived from copper.  

I mixed a turquoise note for the center of the figure, then through the addition of white, 

grumbacher red or cad yellow light i arrived at violet. the result follows.

the color changes the figure a bit.  i have a sense it needs

to be shorter.  the palette knife and rag serve as drawing

tools.  holding off on the brush.  the color spots will be left
as reference points.  the drawing needs some work.

best, and onward.

deb

ps:  Elizabeth I'm thinking about Michener and starting with the paint.

new ground 22x22"

 a beginning.  another standing figure?

 that chair looks pretty inviting.

so i sat down with the sharpie in hand.  hahahahah! 

i stopped .  this reminds me of an art teacher from when

i was young.  am trying to remember who.  can smell the paint,

dust and oils.  i recognize his pose.  am wondering if it is Ken Gore.

Ken usually stood when he taught.  maybe he sat down when

he drew me.

the drawing is in the priming layer.  i can go back in with gesso or leave it.

stretch another.  onward with best,

deb.

The progression of Julian Dines

 this is where i left off, last wednesday.

 and then i redrew with pastel

 and i kept drawing with pastel, oil, knife and rag.

 and then i complicated the shapes, space and color

 but, i got too picky so i got outthe big brush.

and then refined the drawing again. i'm creeping up on a turquoise.

best, and onward,

deb.

I'm a grandmother.

My Elizabeth and her Fiona Belle. 

 mom and baby and daddy are doing well.

feeling blessed.

Schnabel Dines. :)

here we go again

a wee bit serious and a horse's head.

 and this is where i left it yesterday.  will try to stay away from the Michelangelo feet.

Gray Canvas 22x22"

decided to try another standing self portrait

yesterday's efforts before

i scrubbed it down.  today i will begin again.

some reference material. and a cloud formation i saw out there last night.  it's that blue drawing.

if i were interested in the out there, there is a lot to choose from.  too many choices for me.

onward,

deb.

and I Begin Again

new palette:  titanium white, cobalt blue, burnt sienna, yellow ocher.  a photo reference.

canvas started earlier this winter, time to give another go.

hello Paula, hello Debbie.

there's enough information here to either leave as a sketchy drawing;

or develop further.

i'm going to leave it for now and move on.

best and onward,

deb.

Hakim's is continued, and done.

here's the palette.  will add some red to the shadows today.  refine the edges of some shapes.  and paint.  i'll update this post throughout the day.  at the end of the day i will post the progress report to ArtStack.

well, "Hakim's or this is what it was like when i worked in the bazaar..." may be finished.  i've run out of paint medium.  i'm setting this aside.  will look at it somewhere down the road.  phew.  feeling and intense electric energetic that i have not felt for a while.  it only happens when i'm working on a canvas with oiils.  maybe i should do it again.  later.




well, i had a bit more to say.  it may be done now.  unless i decide it has to have a face.

the media jar is dry.  and the surface is turning to soup.  i have covered it with a dust cloth and will take a look in another day or so.  oh, soup...it's on the stove and needs my attention.  the scent is not pleasant with the paint fumes as a back drop.  opening all windows.  welcoming the wind.  then i will make soup.  and no, Helen Van Wyck i'm not teaching how to make soup today.

best and onward,
deb.