I started a painting of an iris that I photographed at the Ingram Senior Center. I am using an ultra-smooth canvas with five coats of gesso rolled and scraped on. Each coat was sanded after it was completely dry.
This is a departure from my usual method of painting. I am applying very thin coats of acrylic paint on a pure white canvas with no under painting. The white of the canvas is reflected through the thin coats of color. I hope it works out well!
Gerry F., a new student, has started his first painting. Jim S. is working on a new landscape. Mike H. is closing in on his still life with glass. Bob H should finish his covered bridge next week.
The painting of the Murphy’s Chickens is complete. This was a fun piece to do, and I think I’ll try a couple of more chicken paintings.
Tom L. has finished his painting of a sewing machine. An excellent job on a difficult subject. Tom has already signed up for a second class at the Ingram’s Seniors Center.
A small portrait of one of the Murphy’s chickens has been added to Paintings, 2010.
I completed this painting today. See the Paintings, 2010 page for the details.
Here is an update on three of my student’s paintings. Mike is creating a still life using several photos as a reference, and working on glassware with reflected and refracted light. Jim has finished another dog and will start a large (24 x 20) landscape next. Tom’s sewing machine is coming along well and almost done.
All of the class is doing well and taking on more challenging work with each painting. Keep up the good work!
The recent show at Mann’s Apple Orchard on June 12th and 13th went well. This was the first time the Art Institute Group of the Merrimack Valley (AIG) has held a show in this venue. Saturday was warm and muggy, but that didn’t stop the scores of attendees.
I set up on the front porch, adjacent to the tent that held just over 100 art works from the AIG artists. I continued working on a new painting of a Red-winged Blackbird I photographed along the Pow-Wow River in Kingston, NH. This painting is now 75% complete.
There was a steady flow of patrons stopping by to chat, ask questions and admire all of the terrific art work shown by these talented artists. I had four paintings in various stages of progress, and was able to show folks all of the steps, from canvas preparation to finished painting, using the “story boards” with progressive photos of the work.
I won a third place ribbon for September Beets and received many wonderful comments about the painting Apples in Sunshine from the visitors. Jim Collins painted a pair of swans and won Best in Show and the Popular Vote for his beautiful work. Congratulations, Jim.
Sunday was cool and damp with a slightly smaller attendance. The folks at Mann’s Apple Orchard provided a great venue, and were extremely helpful with the arrangements and support for the first Art in the Orchard show. Thanks to all for coming to the show.
I just completed an 8 x 10 study of Cilantro Peppers. This will be among the paintings being raffled off at the Mann’s Apple Orchard Show this coming weekend. See Events page for details.
The second chicken is almost complete. I used three different photos and arranged them in this composition. I am attempting to show how lively these birds are, and have painted them on a warm, bright, sandy background. The working title is Murphy’s Chickens. This painting should be complete in a couple of weeks. You can click on these photos for a larger version.
I was able to get close to this Red-wing Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) on the Pow Wow River last weekend. He was sitting on a jumble of old roots in a mud bank. This shows the general layout and the under-painting of the major elements. I usually tone the background before starting the work, but this time I am using the bright white of the gesso on the canvas. I want the colors to reflect the bright, sunny morning.
I always try to have two or three paintings in the works. This gives me a chance to switch to another piece if I’m experiencing difficulty with a particular painting. The next time I go back to the work I put aside, I can have a fresh look at it and can usually get past the difficult spot. I call this “letting it cook” and it always works.
I will be working on both of these paintings (and a couple of others) at the Mann’s Apple Orchard show next weekend. I will be demonstrating my painting techniques and showing three new paintings both days of the show. See the post below for additional information about the show. Hope to see you there.
Fine Art by Don Whittemore 