Fire and Ice

 

 

Time lapse video

Backlit flowers.  Showing the translucency.  Looking at reflected light.  Decisions about background color and value.  For some reason the reds became more challenging than the poinsettias were, likely because of the backlighting and shadows.  Again on the trail of realism.  Terrible photo of the finished painting, sorry about the glare.

The Sennelier linen was so nice to work on, absolutely buttery feel to the paint on the smooth surface.  This could have been achieved on cotton with gesso and sanding, but right out of the wrapper it was perfect.

Christmas Ornament with Eggs

Christmas Ornament with Eggs
11"x14" oil painting ckm 2012

This is a little Portmerion bowl with two eggs and a red Christmas ornament side lit by a window on a very gray day.  The objects reference Christmas and Easter in an ambiguous way.  It became more highly realistic because I wanted the reflections to be precise and there was no way around that other than using the maul stick to support my hand out of the paint and going back in with glazes.  I'm not entirely sure it is finished because realism is a compulsive road to start on begging for repeat refining and an iterative approach to being done.  For now it is done enough.  I hope it inspires thought or painting something yourself, or both, enjoy!