still dreaming about that walk in the snow…..

9"x12"  $80

It's pouring rain here in GA, but I'm still dreaming about that walk in the snow. The hustle of Christmas is over and I can spend more time in my studio. I still had some of that Rives printmaking paper that I had coated with clear gesso. It's texture is perfect for snow scenes! 

For my underpainting , I pulled out my Nupastel hard pastels, laying in the darkest values. Then I did an alcohol wash with a paint brush, painting in the evergreen trees, sky, background trees and snow. I just wanted to layer the pastel over the underpainting so it looked like it was snowing!

underpainting

Even though I don't live in a snowy climate now, I still have fond memories of the snow growing up in New England. Let it snow!!!!!

a walk in the snow…..

"a walk in the snow" 9"x12" $80

I'm tired of all the Christmas rush! I needed to take some time off and go to my studio and paint. It relaxes me - my mind is totally focused on the painting. I haven't had time to get out and take some new landscape photos for painting, but I really wanted to paint today. So I looked through my stack of winter reference photos.

reference photo and framed mini painting($75)

I had used this one before and painted a mini 2.5"x3.5" pastel. I loved the way it turned out, so I decided this would be a good one to paint larger. I pulled out a 9"x12" piece of sanded Uart paper and did a watercolor underpainting - I wanted the drips in the paint. 

watercolor underpainting

I had done all the work on the mini - blocking in the basic shapes and values - and used it as a guide for the larger painting. The larger painting came together easily.

Hopefully I'll be able to get out soon ( or sneak a trip to CT !) for some new winter photos. We don't get much snow in GA - but it's fun dreaming about a walk in the snow!

Painting fruit

5"x5" $25

Busy with the holiday preparations, I have not had time to take new photos of landscapes to paint. I was sitting in my kitchen looking at the pears, pomegranates and apples I had on the counter and thought… why not try painting them. Red is not my favorite color to paint with - so it would be a good challenge for me. I had some white Pastelmat paper that I had toned with yellow ochre oil paint and cut it up into mostly 5"x5" pieces. These would be good for quick studies of the fruit. With the fruit in hand and some reference photos I headed to my studio whenever I had an hour or two of downtime.

These are all 5"x5" $25

I had a good time painting the red fruit and am feeling more comfortable with painting red.

5"x7" $35

approx. 5"x7" $35

Uart sanded paper really holds up!

"early morning glow"

9"x12"

I love using Uart sanded pastel paper! I prefer the 500 grit which is what I used for this painting. 

I had done an underpainting with Nupastels and an alcohol wash. But I was not happy with how the painting was turning out - it was getting muddy and had lost all the sparkle I wanted to paint. So I put the paper in the sink and rinsed the pastel off! Most of the underpainting remained, which was great, so I didn't have to start over completely. I blocked the paper and let it dry. Then I went back to work. I'm much happier with this painting.