Square #30

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Here's the last square for the 30 Paintings/30 Days Challenge by artist Leslie Saeta http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com   I used a 1/4" flat brush to apply the oil to canvas.

The color combination her is Permanent Green Light /Thio Violet mix as the dominate color, Thio Violet, & Naples Yellow.   A Triad combination on the color wheel.

As you can see, the green/violet mix creates a blue-green color.  There's a few touches here and there where it's the pure green.  Otherwise, it is mixed into the other two colors.

I have 3 more squares left on my 24"x18" canvas.  So I hope to finish it by tomorrow and will post the entire set titled: "Rainbow Mix".

Square #29

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I used 3 colors and white in this 6"x6" square.  The dominate color is Thio Violet with Permanent Green light and Cadmium Yellow Light as the other two.  Titanium White was used to mix into the other colors to create a lighter value.  I used a 3/8" Flat brush to apply the paint.

I've been reading "Mastering Color - The essentials of color illustrated with oils" by Vicki McMurry.  She writes about "Mother Colors" on pages 54/55 of the book (dominate color blended in all the other colors used in a piece will harmonize the work.)

She also shares on these pages examples of two color wheel mixes she created and talks about temperature and value of colors. 

Under a beautiful painting example on p.55 titled "Golden Hills", she has this brief insert......"Every color leans toward one of the primary colors. As you begin mixing colors, ask yourself if the mixture leans to the yellow, red or blue part of the color spectrum.  Understanding this concept, developing your observations and applying this knowledge will save you hours of struggling to find the right color.  A majority of the time, the solution to a problem  to adjust either the temperature or the value of color."

I have to admit, there are so many times I pick up a book and what draws me to it is the illustrations inside and seeing the writing is concise, to the point in a few paragraphs - not pages to read.  This book is filled with beautiful painting examples and  the information is precise, to the point.

The book is published through North Light Books   http://www.artistsnetwork.com



Square #28 - 30 Paintings/30 Days Challenge

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I'm a day behind....bad girl....yes, I scold myself from time to time.  Yesterday the house demanded attention.  Clothes too :D

Here is #28 where I used a fan brush to smooth out the brush strokes that I applied paint with.  I also wanted this square to be on the "cool" side and used Pthalo blue in the mix.  And, if you're following, you'll see I change positions of the two fruit in almost each square.......the apple still wants to be in front.  Again, I think it's something about being Red.

Square #27 30Paintings/30 Days Challenge

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Oil on canvas....getting so close to the end of this challenge.  This square was painted with a 1/4" bristle brush. 

 

I liked laying on the paint with this brush, but it was difficult to create sharp edges.  Maybe if the work was larger than 6"x6" I could accomplish having more control with edge work.

 

Now on to finishing my 24"x18" canvas of squares.  There are 7 left to paint. A valuable lesson I'm learning about my painting skills.....it's very difficult for me not to go for detail. Simplifying an object by using one stroke of color and it's value is harder for me then dissecting an area with all the reflections and different hues I see or imagine I do.  

 

I would recommend this challenge to anyone to try at least once.  Who knows?....you may discover a technique and/or more about composition by doing this.  So many ideas in my head....not enough time................does this sound like most artists you may know?  Maybe yourself? 

 

Share with me... ginlammert@yahoo.com 

Squares #25 & #26

Square #26

Square Square #25

#26 shown above is Oil on canvas created using a narrow palette knife.  With #25, I used 2 brushes.  First applied paint with small #4 bright brush - then blended with 1" bristle brush.





#24 30 Paintings/ Days

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6"x6" Oil on canvas

I've added the apple to the "Rainbow Mix" canvas.  If you're new to reading this, I'm following the 30paintings/30 days challenge that artist Leslie Saeta http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com started at the beginning of this month.

What I'm getting out of doing this exercise will be valuable to me in creating other oil and pastel paintings.  Yes, even with pastels.  It's about lighting!  It's about color!  It's about values/tones!  It's about challenging myself to set aside thoughts of major work and doing something "quick- Just Because".

This may not make sense to some of you, but I'm banking most will understand.  I used to write a "To Do List" every morning......so serious.   I still have plenty of tasks to do through out the day, but challenging myself to just be free with a certain block of time is liberating.

So,.....about the work above (which I'm THRILLED the "browse" window is back working for me to download images here).....I used a #14 Filbert Monarch Winsor & Newton long handle brush.   A #14 is around 1/2" wide.  Because the brush is a Filbert (arched top), I was able to make a wide variety of strokes.  Still using one brush to create the alla prima square painting.

#23 of 30 Paintings/30 Days Challenge

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6"x6" Oil on canvas.

THERE IS A MAGIC COMPUTER FAIRY!  I haven't done anything different and all of a sudden(I've been checking each time I post here if I could download an image from my computer)  there is a "Browse" button where I can download images again.

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  As long as the button is present, I will have something visual for you to look at and no more directing you to my website to view what I'm talking about.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh....about this square......I used a #10 long handle Winsor & Newton Bright brush.  I'm now using a full palette (warm/cool colors) to paint the rest of my daily paintings. (Yes, I missed yesterday do to family obligations).  I also tend to use one brush for an entire small Alla Prima painting.