Sunflowers 8 painting #62

 

These are lasting awhile, so I'm gonna take advantage...  On this one I really liked the limegreen underpainting, and decided it worked !

Sunflowers 7 painting #61

 

     There are SO MANY different varieties of sunflowers !!  I was never aware of that, until I started painting them.   I still really love the traditional one the best because of the fantastic contrast in values.  I've finally gotten a new bouquet so I can tackle them a few more times..... so fun !

My Flickr Site

 Sandy's Flickr Site   (click here)

  I used to use this site all the time, but haven't put anything here for awhile..... This contains the student portraits I did when I retired, for a show in March 08.  Lots of other paintings are here, too.

Sunflowers 6 painting #60

   Tried the larger brush again, and found it to be MOST challenging.   I'm gonna keep at it, til I figure it out !  Tenacious or just Stubborn,  I don't know, ha ha !

Sunflowers 5 painting #59

     Trying for more SHAPE, and less LINE this morning.  Trying to get in the groove with these beautiful specimens !  I had to stick cut-off hanger wires into the stems to get them to stand up.... after one day they are soooooo droopy !

sunflowers 4 painting #58

 

Using bigger brushes.... gotta keep trying this... it should help me get softer edges.....and NOT BE so tight ! ha !

Sunflowers 3 painting #57

 

Here's a 50 minute study.... Trying to use larger brushes, hard to get detail..... maybe that's the key ??

Sunflowers painting #56

 

The last batch of sunflowers 'expired' before I had a chance to paint them.... how sad.  These are from the Tower Grove farmer's market yesterday, and I was bound and determined to get them onto the canvas (gessobord, really) before they bit the dust.  The market has incredible community support.  It offers music by a local radio station, who provides a band.  Load of interested people with their dogs, children, and a total eclectic flavor... as well as wonderful local produce, specially made meats, free-range eggs, and lots of great stuff !

Exercise with Composition... not timed

   Rule of thirds:  
     Imagine your picture plane divided into thirds in both directions.  Focal point for the composition, ideally, could be at any point of the intersecting lines.     Composition is more pleasing with the focal point off center, and never directly in the center of the image.  This creates asymmetrical balance, rather than formal balance, and is more pleasing to the eye.  

Just leave the impression of your subject.... Tell a story...My hubby actually came to get this, while I was painting it... Lunchtime.  He did bring it back, though !!

3 timed apples... 10 minutes each.... reviewing what I've learned from Carol Marine, and others..... Sort of . 'back to the ole drawing board' ha ha ha

Taking a day to redo some of the exercises that need to be reviewed..... timed paintings are a good way to keep fresh, use larger brushes, make quicker decisions about shape and value, and not get too "fussy" with the images... starting with very simple subjects is best..    I've decided to do this for awhile, so I can reinforce some of the things I've learned along the way......

Juice glass with gerbera daisy Painting #55

 

   Love this little glass.  I found it in Alabama, too, at a different antique shop.  I passed up the identical one in blue.... Boy !, Now I wish I had bought that one, too..... such is life

Vintage chalk horse Painting #54

  

 I found this horse sculpture at a cute antique shop in Alabama, while on vacation with my family.   My sister and her hubby go with us, and the guys love to play new golf courses, while sis and I NEVER are at a loss at keeping ourselves occupied !!! (Two retired art teachers..... that pretty much means 'trouble' ) ha

Little Mary Janes Painting #53

    My sis found these, and gave them to me to paint.   They are one of my favorite subjects to paint.  This time they are a little 6 x 6...

Gerberas Painting #52

 

     Had to purchase these, mine are toasted, even though I've been watering them...  This heat has done a number on the lawn and gardens !

Last of the Daisies Painting #51

 

     The flowers have been incredible this year, but the heat has taken it's toll, even with constant watering.... It's just NOT the same as a nice long, gentle rain.  We haven't had rain, so these little guys are the last ones in my yard.  It's been a good run, though. 

'Pinched' Painting #50

 

     I knew I had to call this one, 'Pinched' because that is what the Brits call it when you help yourself to something that isn't actually yours !   I found these pink and red blossoms on some bushes growing on the back lot of a car fix-it place close to my house.   Just so happened, (who would have thought it) I had a clipper in my car.... HA HA.... 

Another Perspective Painting #49

 

     Last time, I tried these from below eye-level, so thought I'd change things up and get them more on eye-level.  That way I could include the blue vintage ball jar. ( like the ones I used to sell in the antique booth )

Dorothy's hydrangeas Painting #48

 

    Dorothy's magnificent blossoms are still hanging in there, so I tackled them again.... fun stuff !

Close-Up Painting #47

SOLD

     Thought I'd better paint these a few more times, before they completely fade.  The color on these purples ones is so deep and dramatic !  My blue hydrangeas have mostly faded to an off white, in this heat !!

Purple hydrangeas Painting #46

SOLD

     These incredible blooms are a gift from a friend. I've never seen anything like these... for 7 years they didn't bloom, but this year,
 W O W !! thanks, Dorothy !!