In Process

This is the project that is currently on my easel. It is a pitcher of hydrangeas. Right now the hydrangeas are "percolating" while I figure out how I want to render them. This is about 8x10 pastel on the new Mi-Teintes Touch paper.

Just off my easel

I just finished this painting. It is from a graphite drawing I did a few years ago. It has been percolating for a while as I decided what to do with it. It is 7x10, pastel on the new Mi-Teintes Touch paper.

Orchids

I have been working on an orchid painting. This painting is pastel on 6x12 PastelBord. I approached the painting by first doing an underpainting in Sienna tones. Once the underpainting was finished, the background was next. Then it was time to start working on the flowers. Here is a sequence of step-by-step photos. The painting isn't finished yet, but it will be soon.

Artichoke and Lemons - finished

The Artichoke and Lemons is finished. The finished size is about 9x12. This is pastel on PastelMat paper. Next, I need to get it in a frame.

ARtichokes and Lemon on my easel - phase one

I started a new pastel painting today. I am working from a photographed still life set up. The subject is an artichoke and lemons. I am working on Clairfontaine PastelMat. I am working in a little bit different way on this painting. First, I did a value-scale underpainting of the artichoke and the lemons in Sienna tones. Then I blocked in the table and the background. The next step will be to begin adding color to the objects.

Boxer Completed

I finished the boxer portrait today. She just needs to be framed and then can be delivered to my client. This painting is pastel on Clairfontaine PastelMat paper. The size is approximately 9x12.

Pinga Jar and Lemons finished

I finished the painting of the Pinga Jar and Lemons. This is about 9x12 on Pastel Mat and is worked from a photo of a setup in my studio.

A new Commission

I am working on a new pet portrait commission. This girl is a very elegant Boxer. I was given a great picture--a much better than usual photo--to work from and that makes the project a lot easier. I have a long way to go yet, but this is where I am now. This painting is pastel on Pastel Mat paper.

What's on my easel??

I am working on a new pastel painting. It isn't nearly finished yet, but this is how far I've gotten. The painting is about 9x12 on PastelMat paper.

YUM!

Here is another little pastel painting. I bought this beautiful mango and then painted it before it became dessert. The pieces is about 5x5 on sanded paper. Mangos have a very satin textured skin, so there are no really strong highlights, but there were 2 soft highlights from the overhead light and the window.

Yet Another Little Toy

The toy series is a lot of fun. This little guy has been sitting on my desk for years and when the outside temperatures start the day at -16, I have to agree with him! He was sold by Avon maybe as long as 10 years ago. I can remember when Avon only sold cosmetics. Now you can get almost anything you want from your Avon representative. This little painting is about 6x9 and is done in pastel on gold pastel mat. Pastel Mat has become my favorite surface to work on. I painted him last night as a test of the possibility of teaching a lesson using Skype and a webcam. With a little tweaking, it will work quite nicely.

Another Daily Painting

Here is another little painting in the toy series. This goldfish was a big challenge with its plush face, organdy fins, and suedey body with sparklies. These little paintings are really good exercises and a lot of fun, too. He is about 6x9 in pastel on pastel mat.

Daily Painting

I try to work on a little something most week days and on weekends when I can. This little guy is one of my little daily paintings. He is about 5x5, pastel on sanded paper. He was a lot of fun.

Painting Day!!!

I finally got to spend time in my studio painting instead of organizing. It felt good. I decided to do a little piece just to warm up and get ready for bigger work. I took an apple from my kitchen and painted it in pastels on sanded paper. It is about 5x5. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's effort.

Pastel Make-It-Take-It

December is Make-It-Take-It month at Town and Country Decorative Painters. I am teaching a small pastel. I hope folks like it. The piece is 5x7 and is painted on Mi-Teintes paper using soft pastels.

Winston is finished

I have Winston finished. He is such a cutie.

Winston's coming along

I've been working a bit more on Winston. He is really a charming fellow.

What's on my easel

My studio is finally a place to do a little work and not just to shove boxes around in! I was able to put in some actual creative work time today. Here is what I am working on. This is Winston. He belongs to the barber whose shop is next door to my chiropractor and he is the shop dog. I took this picture about a year ago. Winston was napping outside the shop on a bright sunny summer morning.

This work is pastel on PastelMat paper. The size is about 9x8.

A little time for work

Finally! I was able to carve out a little time to play with my colors. I got some new pastel paper called PastelMat and wanted to try it out. It is a slightly velvety surface, but does not have a deep a nap as velour paper. So far, I really like it. This is not a terribly involved piece, but I wanted a stylized flower in a vase. I wasn't going for highly detailed and realistic. This little piece just might work for a 4-hour retreat class or if I make it smaller it could be a make-it-take-it, perhaps. The piece is about 7x10.

Best Laid Plans

My student came today and we worked together on a couple of different projects. I need to come up with a make-it-take-it to be taught in December. I worked on this little piece and thought perhaps it could be done in 2 hours. Well, I was wrong. There is much too much for students to accomplish in 2 hours. So it is back to the think tank. Still, this was a fun little piece to work on. It is done in pastel on velour paper. The size is 8x10. I think it could be a nice 4-hour class at a retreat.