Roses and Peonies

Here's my pastel study tonight. This time I did a quick underpainting with gouache and pumice medium.

First Peonies - Sold

I'm always thrilled when I see the plump, round buds of the Peonies finally open and share their elegant, heavenly petals and fragrance. My first Peonies to bloom this year are white. Of course they lasted on the plant minutes - perhaps hours before I discovered and plucked them for a pastel and acrylic painting.

Here's a look, nearly complete of this 12 x 12" version of the little bouquet painted from life.

Teapot

Here's my quickie pastel/acrylic painting on a new color paper for me. 12 x 12" - painted from life and using imaginary colors.

Pastel Still Lifes

Have been enjoying this combination of mediums - acrylics and soft pastels on paper. I start with archival, acid-free card stock. With this series it's been 8.5" x 11" black. This is taped with masking tape to a drawing board which is covered with brown kraft paper so as to have a quick surface to wipe off excess paint from my brushes. The board is then positioned on my easel. I like to stand while I'm painting set ups from life.

Then I place a small pile of Golden's Fine Pumice Gel Medium on my palette. I select my palette of acrylic colors from which I'll just paint the masses of shapes - establishing the darks and lights. Instead of just using the pure acrylic paint, I'll mix in some of the pumice medium with the paint and apply that to the surface. Of course one could just apply the pumice straight from the jar brushed onto your surface and let it dry. It dries clear so that's good. However, the purpose of using the pumice is to grab the pastel and as there may be areas in the background where you want a softer effect, I like just adding it to my paint. I usually use hog brushes to keep everything nice and soft. You can also use your fingers to smear/soften edges. Don't use too much water by the way - and keep a paper handy to wipe off some paint if necessary from your brush. You have to work rather quickly too! Next I start bringing in color masses and finish up with details with the soft pastels. Take care not to smudge your work.

Here are a couple recent examples of this continuing blend of mediums.

White Azaleas in Oriental Pot - SOLD

Continuing my experimenting with acrylics and pastels. Little painting from life tonight.

Olives

In preparation for our Water Street Art Gallery Opening Celebration, I bought a variety of olives for the reception. These HUGE "Queen" olives from Spain were gorgeous in the jar and irresistible to paint. This was done tonight on black card stock with acrylics and soft pastels.

"Morning at Woodward Park"

Oil on paper - 6 x 12" based on photo taken one morning this week. It's that time of year when Azaleas and Dogwoods are gorgeous!

"Storm Brewing"

Many a spectacular scene does the beach hold in Naples, Florida. This picture I've held onto for sometime feeling that someday I'd like a go at painting it. The clouds were obviously tremendous - but it was the intense contrast of the green sea against that dark distant sky that captivated me. And so I left the beach empty in this scene so that the viewer could focus on the foreboding storm.

The painting is 6 x 12" and completed with acrylics on paper.

"A New Day"

I loved this photo so much and the glorious sunrise that greeted me that day that I decided to try another go at this scene. I actually think I like this darker version better for more depth and emphasizing the glory of that sky.

9 x 12" Acrylic on Paper.

Into the Storm

A 5 x 10" acrylic study - stormy weather that day!