"Follow the Leader"

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"Follow the Leader"

8 x 10 in 

Oil on Canvas Panel

I wanted to continue painting these beautiful raspberries for another session, I really like the intense colors within the raspberries and their textures.  This time I wanted to incorporate the blue and red cloths I've painted in previous paintings, as they're challenging every time I paint them I was looking forward to them.  It's funny how each of these alla prima's I'm always finding out different ways to approach certain areas, there's some consistency in the approach but the execution can vary from one texture to the other.  That's the beauty of these little guys just when you think you've figure it out a new painting comes along and throws you in a twist.  I also want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and wish everyone the very best with their family and loved ones.  I'm excited to eat so much and not be able to move afterwards, nothing beats being with the family and eating to a point where you can't think straight.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I started with the usual dry brush approach using no mediums and a bit of raw umber on the brush.  When the drawing is complete I stated the background and cloths, the colors I used for the background were ultramarine blue, naples yellow and titanium white.  For the blue cloth I used ultramarine blue, cobalt, and ivory black.  For the red cloth I used naphthol red, cad.red light, and ivory black.  When dealing with the cloths in the initial stages I laid down the fall of light with its general colors, I'm only worried about making the form turn and stating the shadow shapes.  I also make sure to leave my edges soft if your edges are hard it limits the form from turning, in later stages you can harden your edges to show texture or more contrast between forms.  In this stage I already added the shadow shapes and developed them to a further finish, I did the big form modeling and darker values stages together.

Then I add lighter values with their specific forms and bring the cloths to a finish.  After the cloths are complete I start on the raspberries by first state the general colors and after do big form modeling, I work on the red and black raspberries simultaneously.  

Then I add the lighter values with their specific forms and also re work some of the darker values to blend better with the overall form, after doing this it brings the whole painting to a finish.  It's nice to get one of these guys painted before the holiday hits, I know I'll be out of commission due to all the consumption of food.  Hopefully i'll be able to draw if i'm unable to move from the food coma!  Hope you enjoyed this one thanks for stopping by and viewing, Happy Thanksgiving! 

"Raspberries Aligned"

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"Raspberries Aligned"

5 x 7 in 

Oil on Canvas Panel

I always have so much fun painting raspberries, their texture and intense colors make it a delight to paint.  I wanted to play more with the composition between the red and black raspberries.  When painting the red raspberries I noticed how intense the reds got, its pretty subtle on how strong those reds can be without going overboard.  The black raspberries absorbed it's surrounding colors, at times it did show some reflected lights, I believe these two compliment each other well.  One of the other reasons I like painting these guys is because I get to eat them right after I'm done, but let me tell you it's hard to fight the urge to do so while painting them.  Thanks for stopping by and viewing I hope you enjoyed this one!

"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!