12:13 - Seth 17

"Seth 17"

16" x 20"

Oil on Wood Panel

This is a portrait from a snapshot that I took of my son after his first football practice of the season. He was showing me the marks the new helmet pads left on his neck which looked like giant hickeys. 

When I decided recently that I wanted to try some limited palette paintings, I thought of the lighting on this picture and knew it would be perfect.

The colors used are: Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ocher, Burnt Umber, Raw Umber and Zinc White. I have some step-by-step pictures on my facebook page, here.

Also, if your interested in some great expressive portraits, you should really go check out Brian DiNicola's work. He has some great stuff and he's nice and open about his materials and methods, which is invaluable. Seems like a really good guy.

12:12 Melina and the Ball Pit

Melina and the Ball Pit

10" x 10

Oil on Canvas

I was tempted to name this one "Bazinga!" after a certain Big Bang Theory episode involving Sheldon and a ball pit, but I didn't.

This is from one of my favorite photos of my niece, taken by her Mom, whom you've met before in "Melina and the Llama". Painting all the spheres was a challenge. I'm happy with some of them, not so much with others. 

It is also a challenge to paint children. They don't have many lines on their faces so you have to be really careful not to make them look old. I tried to accomplish this with color.

12:11 Pear and Back Again

Pear and Back Again

4" x 6"

Oil on Canvas

A while ago I did a few pears and they are always a favorite of mine. Having painted several apples last week, I changed it up and went back to pears.

12:10 The Forgotten Pomegranate

The Forgotten Pomegranate

10" x 8"

Oil on Canvas Board

I painted this quick pomegranate and then forgot all about it until today. And I actually really like it. It was a spur of the moment decision when I needed a break from the commission piece I am currently working on.

12:9 Even More Delicious

Even More Delicious

4" x 4"

Oil on Gessoboard
Click here to bid

My continuing saga to perfect this technique and save the world, of course.

12:8 Red Delicious

Red Delicious

4" x 4" 

Oil on Gessoboard
Click here to bid 

I decided last week that I am working too much from photos and I need a break, work from life and remember my college classes where we all painted the same set up or model. 

There is a health food store right next to the studio where I take a studio class on Wednesday night. I found the cutest teeny red apple there. While I am trying to work on some tweaks to my techniques, I also want to keep the set up simple and what is more simple and yet still visually appetizing than an apple?

So, I set this up on some white paper, adjusted the natural vs. room lighting and had at it. The is the first of two apples that I worked on that night.

Have a great day!

12:7 Emily

Emily
8" x 8"
Oil on Canvas Board
NFS

And last, but certainly in my mind, not least, there's Emily.

For a long time, there were not many girl kids on my mom's immediate side of the family. Mom was the oldest of 6 and the only girl child. She in turn had 3 children; myself, my big brother and my little sister. The rest of the cousins for many years were boys. 8 more boys. It was 9 to 2 for years. Then came along Emily and later, her sister Jacklyn and our cousin Cassie. My sister and I were thrilled. Finally, more girls to try to even things out in a very old-fashioned, male-centric family. Poor Emily had to grow up with 3 older brothers. But from a very early age, she had steel in her gaze, holds her own with the brothers and they would kill just about anyone that would hurt their little sis.

Today things are still lop-sided somewhat. My family has gained more girl children with the next generation of kiddos which consist of 6 boys and 4 girls...so far.

So even though Emily and I don't get to see each other nearly as much as I'd like and are separated by twenty-something years, we are just. like. that. (Holds up crossed fingers) and I hope she knows that in years to come, no matter what, she can always give me a call to bail her out of trouble.