"Hanging on"

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"Hanging On"

5 x 7 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

This is the third installment of these fun habanero peppers and an asian vase, with the last painting I had fun with its whimsical composition.  This painting is no different, I thoroughly enjoyed creating a balancing act and also a story within the composition.  One thing is to paint something and try to render it to its highest degree, the other is to actually tell a story and connect with the viewer.  I wanna start creating more paintings that do that, which is why I created these little guys and try to say something.  Its always fun experimenting and seeing what works and what doesn't.

I started with the usual approach by using a bit of raw umber on the brush and using no mediums.  When the drawing is complete I started on the background, this will let me create softer or crispier edges, it also sets the value tone for the whole painting.

Then I started on the vase just concentrating on the big form modeling and stating the general colors.  I also do the same for the wooden base just concentrating on general colors and the fall of light.

Once those are stated I start on the darker values and its specific forms with the vase, I work on the design and subtle value shifts relating to the darker values.  Then I do the same with the lighter values.

Once the vase is taken to completion I start on the wooden base and just concentrate on the darker values and its specific forms.  I do the same with the lighter values and take it to a finish.

Then I start on the habanero peppers by stating the bigger forms first, Im just concentrating on the general colors and how light wraps around the form.  At this stage I'm not worried about details, details are not the answer in order to get a successful painting.  You have to understand how light wraps around a form and its edges, details come after when you've got the bigger information stated.  Then I stated the darker values and its specific forms, since the base is already stated its easier to render the smaller forms and blend them to their right state. 

I finished the painting by stating the lighter values and shaping them to their specific forms.  By playing over and over with painting in this manner you get to understand how easy it can be to render a complicated subject no matter what it is, of course some can be more difficult than other.  The point is if you understand how to see shapes and model them to their specific forms by understanding light then your ahead of the game.  Remember details are not the answer its understanding form and how light effects it.  Thanks for stopping by and viewing, I hope you enjoyed! 

"Fruit Tart"

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"Fruit Tart"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

Hi everyone first I wanted to let you guys know I'll be giving a demo on Wednesday, April 27 at Blick art material store in Edina.  If you'r around the area you should drop by I will be there from 1-4, this is for the 100th anniversary of being open.  There'll be live music and also great food, I might be to distracted to paint with all the food. 

This is another attempt to paint these delicious treats, I had to do this one because of the kiwi's and strawberries mixed into the usual group.  The colors and textures made it so much fun to try to paint, its always great to push yourself and achieve textures you'r not familiar painting.  There's also a lot of subtle value shifts in the body of the fruit tart, its great practicing these techniques it sharpens your skills in many ways.  Needless to say I enjoyed every bite when completing the painting, it's always a great incentive to finish.

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and just a bit of raw umber on the brush.  When the drawing is complete I start on the raspberries just stating the local colors first.

Then I apply the darker values and when thats complete I add the lighter values as well.

I repeat the same process with the right side of the fruit tart where the strawberries and raspberries are at.

When that section is done I start on the body of the fruit tart, stating the main colors first going from light to dark.  

Then I apply the darker values and take it to a finish and do the same with the lighter values.  Then I add the cast shadows and background giving more of a finish look to the painting, this sets up the final touches needed in the middle part of the fruit tart.  When adding the background and cast shadows I'm being aware of edges and how soft I need to take them in order for them to recede. 

Then I start on the kiwi's stating the local colors first, when thats complete I introduce a bit of middle to darker values showing how light travels across the form.

Then I add the lighter values to the kiwi's and take them to a finish.  Then I start on the blue berries and just state the local colors again, the same as I did with the kiwi's.

Since blue berries are just basically two tones, it's an easy fruit to complete very quickly.  Then I start on the last section of the fruit tart, again stating the local colors first and getting the general statement of light  wrapping around the form. 

Then I add the lighter and darker values and took it to a finish.  With this painting I was still concentrated on bigger and smaller form modeling, I expedited the process by just stating local colors and painting the darker and lighter values which is basically the same thing.  By just simplifying this process one gets to see how simple you can render with the paints and push the values in each direction.  I hope you enjoyed this one, thanks for stopping by and viewing!