"Peonies Bianca"

Sold

"Peonies Bianca"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

These peonies were at my girlfriends sisters house and just loved how the light was falling on it, of course they're not in season anymore and at the time I was able to capture the essence of these peonies with my camera phone.  I usually like painting from life which is always the best way to go in order to get truer colors, but these peonies which I forgot I had in my phone were just to good not to paint.  It's a challenge to try to paint these beautiful flowers from a photo, they have such subtle colors that can be lost in a photo but since I've painting white peonies before I knew what to look for.  The photo wasn't actually bad at all, I think it captured most of the colors and subtle transitions I was looking for.  I do not plan to make this a norm taking photos with my camera phone but for this painting I think it works just fine.  The background was another challenge I was not looking forward to, to do a complete black background in one session is pretty difficult.  Painting with pure ivory black can get muddy really quick when mixed with other colors, I had to be extra careful to not mix it with the rest of my palette.  Like in any painting there's always challenges, the key is figuring it out and making a successful work of art.  

I started with the usual dry brush approach for the drawing stage, just a bit of raw umber on the brush.  I didn't want to get to exact with the drawing since I am painting peonies and prefer to do so with the paints.  After the drawing is complete I started stating the general colors of the peonies, just laying down the middle value of each color, not worried about stating the lightest and darkest values.  The colors I used were cad.yellow, viridian, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre and titanium white.

Then I started to add some of the middle to darker values to give more depth to the peonies, I'm still not worried about details trying to get a feel of the peonies and its textures.  Then I state the background by just using ivory black, this is essential in order to get the right values stated in the peonies.  Then I go back into the peonies and adjust the middle values to the correct hue.  Since the background predominately covers the painting its important to state that in the beginning in order for the values to work well with each other.  

Then I start adding the lighter values to the peonies and take them to a finish.  As you can see in both stages I decided to work all of the peonies at the same time, I believe this method works well when painting these types of flowers.  They have such a unique characteristic when painting them I feel its better to work all of them at the same time.  Then I start stating the vase and stems, as you may see the vase blends in with the dark background the only thing you can see are the stems.  The colors I used for the vase and stems were ultramarine blue, viridian and cad.yellow light.  

Once the vase is complete I go back into the peonies and add any finishing touches it needs, which then I complete the painting.  I really like this painting and the challenges it gave me, to do it in one session was a bit daunting but glad I did it.  I hope you enjoyed this one, thanks for stopping by and viewing!

'Reversed Pear"

Sold

"Reversed Pear"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I wanted to do another version of these pears this time having one reversed with the other facing the viewer.  The skin of the pears have so much different textures to them, its neat trying to decipher it and translate it onto a painting.  Their colors are also enjoyable to paint they have such a subtle transition from one color to another, from yellows to greens and to even burnt umbers its fun painting those blends.  

I wanted to apologize for being away for so long without posting anything, the day after posting "Grandfather" I got into a really bad bicycle accident.  I went over a curb and the front tire completely came out of my bike, I landed on the road hands first then hitting my ribs pretty bad.  I was really lucky I didn't break anything I did scrape up my hands and feet pretty bad, my ribs have given me the worst pain out of it all.  That accident occurred on a Tuesday and I left out of town on Wednesday until yesterday, so you can imagine how much i've been wanting to paint.  I'm recovering well from the accident my ribs  and left hand are still pretty sore, but I do feel better each day.  I cannot express how happy I am today to finally get back into painting, I tried after the accident on Tuesday to paint but I was in to much paint to do so.  Now I truly I mean it its time to get back to the painting easel and start producing, its been to long.  

I started with a dry brush approach for the drawing stage using a bit of raw umber on the brush.  After the drawing is completed I stated the background using cerulean blue, naples yellow and titanium white.

I then started on the first pear stating the general colors first then turning the form with their values, at this stage I'm not concerned in adding the darkest and lightest values just a middle value of the overall colors.  The colors I used in the general stage are viridian, cad.yellow light, yellow ochre, and raw umber.   Once thats complete I state the darkest values with their specific forms, I can really start going into the fine details at this stage with the darks.  Having the general stage done first allows me to go into the darks much easier and handle details with more precision.  The additional colors I used for this stage is cerulean blue and burnt umber.  

Once the darker values are completed I started on the lighter values including the highlights, the only additional color I used were titanium white.  I repeated the same process with the second pear once the first pear was completed, first stating general colors and turning the form with their values.

I also use the same colors as I did with other pear.  The first picture shows the darkest values being painted in, the second picture shows the lighter values after the darker values were completed.  You can also see that I started to hint where the cast shadows will be placed, this allows me to judge the values of the base with the pears and also gives a stationary look to the pears.

Once the pears are completed I start on the wooden base, I do the exact process as I did with the pears state the general colors first not worrying about the darkest and lightest values.  Then I stated the darker values with their specific forms, the colors I used were cerulean blue, burnt umber, raw umber, titanium white, cad. orange, and naphthol red.  

After the darks were completed I stated the lighter values with their specific forms and took the painting to a finish.  As stated before I'm really happy to be back painting there's nothing like it, its truly what I was meant to do.  Thank you for stopping by and viewing, I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did!

"Grandfather"

"Grandfather"

6 x 4 in

Ball point pen

I've been away for the past week visiting family in Key Biscayne, FL.  I usually go to visit my parents and sisters but this time it was different, my grandmother was visiting from Argentina.  She came to celebrate her 85th birthday which coincidently falls on the same day as my fathers birthday.  I created this ball point pen drawing for her of my late grandfather, it was amazing learning so much of his history through her.  My grandfather was an amazing human being, I remember the summers going to Argentina  and spending so much time with him.  He was a gentle, always well dressed and very articulate man.  Drawing this portrait was a great experience and extremely honored and happy that I was able to surprise my grandmother with this gift.  I apologize for the poor picture quality, I took the picture with my phone.  

This picture is of the day I arrived in Miami and we went for a walk to the light house later that evening, it was one of the most memorable times that I've had with my grandmother.  As stated before my grandmother lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina I haven't seen her in couple years and wish I was able to do more often.  On that walk I asked her so much about my grandfathers life, it was amazing to learn so much and to hear what they survived and where able to achieve.  My whole family is from South America and my sister's and I are the first generation born in the United States.  Learning so much this past week of my families roots was an eye opener for me, its true what they say you have to learn where you come from before you know where you'r going.

This is a picture of my grandmother and father celebrating their birthdays 85 and 58!  I'm extremely lucky and blessed to have family like this, it was such a good time relaxing and celebrating their birthdays.  Now time to get back to the grinding wheel and make some paintings!

"Leaning Pear"

Sold

"Leaning Pear"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

Walking along the grocery store today pears stood out to me more than usual, I guess because of their textures I was intrigued to paint them again.  They remind me of painting marble the way you have to be subtle with each tone and stroke.  Pears are difficult in their own right to paint, they have so much subtle textures that are challenging to control.  Needless to say its good practice to paint them.  I also decided to bring back the wooden board rather than paint then marble top.  It's been a while since i've painted this board painting the grains and its textures was fun for the most part.

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and a bit of raw umber.  I stated the background first once the drawing was complete, the colors I used were cerulean blue, naples yellow and titanium white.

I then started on the first pair by just stating general colors first, I'm not concerned with the lightest and darkest values at this stage just turning the form with the overall colors.  I also keep the paints fairly thin at this stage, it's easier to build up paint on top once the bottom layer is thin.  Then I added the darker values with their specific forms.  The colors I used were burnt sienna, yellow ochre, viridian, cad.yellow light, raw umber and ivory black.

Then I stated the lighter values with their specific forms, I also added a bit of highlights with titanium white.  Once the first pear is complete I started on the second pear by repeating the same process.  I also use the same colors except burnt sienna.

After the big form modeling is complete with middle values, I start with the darker values with their specific forms.  Once that stage is complete I start with the lighter values and their specific forms.  

Once the pears are complete I started on the wooden board, again just stating the general colors first and modeling the form.  Then I added the darker values with their specific forms.

I then added the lighter values with their specific forms, the colors I used for the board were burnt sienna, cad. orange, raw umber, cerulean, titanium white, and ivory black.  It was nice to paint these guys again, reminds me of my older alla prima's I used to paint.  Never gets old painting these fruits, and also eating them afterwards.  Thanks for stopping by and viewing, hope you enjoyed!

"Circus Plums"

Click here to purchase this painting at my Etsy shop

"Circus Plums"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I wanted to revisit these fun plums and be a bit more whimsical, I also miss painting this beautiful marble top.  Painting these two surfaces together contrast each other nicely.  The tension this composition creates is pretty interesting, the plums seem to be having a hard time holding up the top plum.  You can create infinite story lines with this one, it'll be interesting to read what you guys can come up with?  I've always said if you want to better yourself in painting paint marble, it's so true.  Aside from painting flowers which also excels you in every way, painting marble teaches to control your medium and notice with each stroke the type of textures you'r laying down.  You can easily apply what you've learned to anything you paint, of course you have to conform it to the subject you'r painting.  I miss painting the wooden board I use for the majority of these alla prima's, but painting this marble has given me so much joy and teaches me something new every time.  

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and a bit of raw umber.  After the drawing is established I stated the background and middle value to the base, the colors I used where cerulean blue, naples yellow and titanium white for the background.  For the marble I used raw umber, ivory black and titanium white.

Then I stated the middle and darker values with their specific forms, and do the same with the lighter values.  Once the front part of the marble is complete I start on top and repeat the process.  

Once the whole marble is complete I start on the first plum by stating the middle to darker values first.  At this stage I'm applying the middle local color of the plum and turning the form, later I start to add more colors once the values are turning with the light.  Then I add the lighter values and take the plum to a finish, I repeat the process with the second plum.

I do the same process with the third plum.  The colors I used for the plums were naphthol red, ivory black, cad. red light, quinacridone magenta, cerulean blue, and titanium white.  

I take the painting to a finish by going in the cast shadows where the plums meet the marble, I tie them together by pushing the darks and blending the two together.  It was beyond fun painting this one, I truly enjoy learning from a painting and this one definitely delivered that.  That's what I love the most about painting these alla prima's, they teach me something new every time.  Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed this one!

"Subtle Roses"

Click here to purchase this painting at my Etsy shop

"Subtle Roses"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I really liked the roses I painted at the demo, I decided to get another bunch that where similar and painted them again.  This time I felt I had more time and a better set up to paint.  These roses have so much beauty between each pedal, you have to be careful painting pedals they can become generic very quick.  The ferns also played a supporting role to the roses, I decided to keep them soft and not rendered as much as the roses.  This keeps more of the attention to the roses which was more of the direction I was going.  I did this painting in a flemish style, I was able to render the values with a burnt umber  and just concentrate getting all the tones right.  Once the tones are working I add color on top of the values, doing this allows me to have a stronger painting since the drawing and tones are in tact.  I'm a firm believer that you have to know how to draw in order to paint well, essentially painting is drawing just with a brush and some color.

I started the drawing with a bit of details in it, since I'm painting roses the placement of their pedals are important.  Once the drawing is complete I state the background with ultramarine blue, naples yellow, and titanium white.

Then I start on the first rose, as stated before I'm using the flemish technique to render each tone with a bit of raw umber.  I use raw umber because it's the middle overall value that I see in the rose.  I apply a very thin passage of paint at this stage, remember the point of this stage is to get the values working and also work the edges.  I'm thinking of this stage as a drawing,  I want the drawing to come out right before I apply color to it.  Then I apply the lighter values and their specific forms, I also apply color at this stage I do the same in the shadows.  Since the drawing is stated and working well with the values, it's simple to just apply color on top and blend it in with the values.  The colors I used for the first rose where raw umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cerulean, naples yellow, and cad. yellow light. 

I repeat the same process with the the second rose, I first render the rose with one color which is raw umber.  The reason I use this color is because I see its the middle overall value to that rose.  I stay in this stage until the drawing is correct and the values are perfect.  Then I apply the colors on top using quinacridone magenta, viridian, ultramarine blue, cad.yellow light, and titanium white.  

I then do the same with the third rose only this time I use a different color for the middle value, I used naphthol red, raw umber and ultramarine blue.  

Once the third rose was completed I moved onto the leaves and ferns.  I wanted to keep the simple and not to rendered, this allows all the attention to stay at the roses.  I didn't use the flemish technique in this stage, instead I just covered it with the middle overall value and worked into the darks and lighter values.  You can say I did the same approach to the red rose.  The colors I used for the leaves were viridian, ultramarine blue, cad.yellow light, and raw umber.  It was fun painting this one in a different manner, although its pretty similar to the way I usually paint I do like the flemish approach.  I plan to play more with this technique in future paintings.  I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did, thanks for stopping by and viewing!

"Roses & Demo"

Contact me if interested in purchasing.

"3 Roses"

10 x 8 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

Hi everyone today I'm posting the demo I did at the uptown art fair, it went so well and had so much fun.  I was fortunate enough to paint indoors rather than enduring the outdoor heat.  This painting took me about four hours to complete, the quickest painting i've done of roses yet.  Of course I wish I had more time, but I really do love the painting and how it looks for such a short period time.  

This is the set-up of where I was painting, had to use a chair for the base which I have no problem with.  As long as I have a brush, paint and canvas I'm alright to go.  Thanks again and hope you guys enjoyed this one!

"Roses"

Sold

"Roses"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

These roses I gave to my wonderful girlfriend, she just got a promotion at her job and wanted to surprise her.  She brought it home after a while which I'm glad for, seeing how beautiful they are I had to paint them.  I've been painting fruits on marble for a while and wanted to re-visit flowers, painting marble is fun but you have to be very meticulous with every section of it or its not going to look right.  It's great practice as mentioned in previous posts but I do need a little break from painting them so much.  These roses are beautiful in shape and color, each pedal has its own value scale that can be challenging after so many.  I feel after painting marble for a while I can tackle on anything, funny thing is I said the same thing when I finished painting peonies.  I'm finding when painting new objects that it has its own characteristics, you have to just break it down and simplify it in order to better understand what you'r painting.  

I wanted to remind everyone again that I will be giving a live demo at the Uptown Art Fair, it'll be on August 5 which is this Friday from 1-5 p.m.  It'll be great to see you guys there!  I will also be teaching a still life and figure drawing workshops at the Bloomington Art Center, if anyone's interested you can now sign up for the classes.  Click here to sign up!

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and just a bit of raw umber on the brush, I went a little further with the drawing to get more of an accurate placement of shapes.  When the drawing was complete I stated the background using ultramarine blue, naples yellow and titanium white.  

Then I started on the roses all at once after the background was finished, I stated a thin layer of the middle value to give a base I can paint from.  Then I started stating the darker values with their specific forms, i'm slowly building up the paint and keeping my edges soft.

Then I state the lighter values and their specific forms and take the roses to a finish.  With the darker and lighter values before I state their complete tones, I start with a middle value first and lightly build to the final value I'm going for.  This allows me to keep control through out each stage.

Then I state the two little flowers on the sides and repeat the same process as I did with the larger ones.  The colors I used for the flowers where quinacridone magenta, cad. red light, ivory black and titanium white.  Then I start to paint in the leaves, I start with a thin coat of the middle value.  Painting the middle values first allows me to have a base where I can easily go lighter or darker.  

Then I stated the darker values with their specific forms and when that was complete did the same with the lighter values.  The colors I used where ivory black, viridian, ultramarine blue, cad. yellow and titanium white.

I used the same colors for the vase and also the same process, as you can see with the first picture just stated a middle general value.  Again when stating this middle value keep the paint thin so you can build up to it, its the age old rule thick over thin.

This is the finished painting after adding the lighter values with their specific values.  I really do enjoy painting flowers, it really pushes me to try new things with my technique.  I thoroughly enjoy experimenting new approaches with my technique, I don't think one can never be to content with their own skill level.  If I was then I wouldn't be pushing my self and always trying to get better, and to me thats half the battle.  I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did, thanks for stopping by and viewing!