a day off!

My finished water commission was shipped off to Louisiana. My client got to title it... "Memories of Peggy’s Cove".

We took the day off Wednesday and actually took a 3 mile hike in the woods. We have been trying to get out once a week. But by evening I was itchy to get started on a new painting. I am waiting on the photos and instructions for the next commission so I decided to start one for myself.  Wait till you see this!! I am going big...with no regard to price, image is 21x25" !   I picked a new paper -  Handmade Indigo Artpapers.   The photo was taken by my daughter (no pressure!) from Maine.
Here is the start...  I am not telling you what it is, you will have to watch it develop.

I can tell you this paper was made for large wet on wet painting.  A bit of a challenge for my detail but it is fun.  I used my large wash brushes that have not been used in a while.

FINISHED!

And....it is finished!  Click over it an study it. 

There is SO much to see in this painting.  The image is 14x14" 
I am a little sad I am finished...

almost finished...

These really look better than the computer is showing.  I am featuring stormy seascapes today.

Rain in the Distance      Framed 9x9        $200.



Jamaica Shoreline       Framed 10x8               $200.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
Scroll down in case you missed some previously posted minis and if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one!
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Finishing up the water

Now it is time to go back to my sky and work on the clouds.  Starting with some under painting, notice I am building color on the underside of the cloud.



Softening...

Water...

I have three more days of water to show you.

Island #3    Framed 8x10    $250.

this has a really nice sunset and gentle rolling ocean

Island #10       Framed 10x8         $225

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
Scroll down in case you missed some previously posted minis and if you purchase more than one I will offer $20 off each one!
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I am showing you several days work on the commission.  Working in the water, creating the waves and movement.  Saving that white paper for the lighter areas.  Light blues painted first.



Drying hard between washes of blue, building the color.



Almost there...

Linda has us binge watching The Medici's Netflix series.  So exciting to know I have visited many of the villages they show.   Also watched a great mini series The Five.  Written by Harlan Coben who can weave a tale... he also did The Stranger.  I recommend them all!

working on my commission

Working steadily on my painting.
Filled in the rocks, added a shadow in the water and working on the boat.




I am starting the water.  This part is slow going.  I did not use misket or maskoid to save the white in the water, I am simply painting around, creating the waves and water movement.



Working my way forward, taking my time, enjoying the process. (click to enlarge)

larger water paintings...

Just in case the miniature boat scenes were just too small and you really wanted a large water painting...  I happen to have two!

Coming Into Port             Framed 22x20"              $1200.



Light Show             Framed 22x20"                       $1200.

This one is from Duck, NC

Linda kept me busy this morning.  I took the tarp off the side porch.  I had a little accident.  A little finch managed to tuck a nest in the fold of the tarp.  I carefully lifted out the nest only to have two tiny eggs roll out and smash on the sidewalk.  Momma bird was sitting nearby squawking at me.  I felt so bad.  To feel better, I am going for a bike ride!

boats

I am staying with a water theme since I am working on a water commission.   Three ships in the ocean.  The first two were painted while on a cruise and the image is smaller than my usual miniature paintings.   Priced to sell!! 

Port In Cozumel                 $200.image: 2 6/8 x 4  3/8    Framed 8x10



Boat in Water                 $200.
Image 2 7/8 x 4 4/8   Framed 8x10



Island #1        Framed 8x10       $200.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.

commission...

As you know almost my whole year of shows have been cancelled, I have been actively promoting my work on this blog and on other social media.  If you could take a moment and forward my blog or website to all your friends and family and tell them how much you love my work (and me!!)  I would greatly appreciate it... thank you.

Commission Update:Over the weekend I concentrated on my commission...  I am having a great time working on this.  Loving the new paper.    I added the underpainting to the building



Notice how the underpainting bleeds through the red.  You cannot get that shading using paint right out of the tubes.  Watercolor stains.   I did the same thing to the roof.


I got a bit lost in time and forgot to photo as I was going along.  I added the lines in the red.  Blue on the little building and added the house on the left.  The fun part is coming up so keep watching.



Now for a story for your amusement...
I was painting in our kitchen (while Linda was at the table working on a puzzle)  I had just cleaned my pallet and squeezed in some paint. 
FYI: paint comes in tubes and you buy an empty pallet and
squeeze your choice of colors into the little wells creating your own personal pallet.  They dry into cakes and you reconstitute them with a bit of water when you are painting. 
The setting:   My pallet was still wet, my painting laying aside it and my large cup of water was sitting on the painting.  I stopped painting to help Linda plant a few flowers.  

We came in and cleaned up and I noticed blue paint on the carpet, and suddenly it was everywhere.   I thought I did something...  got a bucket and started cleaning and let me say it was quite the mess, the more water I used the bluer things got.  I just could not figure out what I did.  It was on my stool where I sit, I sat in it, and it was all over the floor and the carpets,  It was on the handle of a brush and so then all over my hands.  Blue stains...  a lot.  Then I noticed our cat Max had a blue paw...  He has a habit of drinking out of my paint cups.  I have a habit of not picking up my painting.  Max must have jumped up, had a drink and then walked across my pallet and stuck his paw in my blue,  jumped down and tracked it everywhere.  Thank goodness he did not walk across my painting, I would have had to start all over.

So here is Max, cleaned up as best as we could, with his white paw still stained blue... I am telling you there was blue everywhere!!

More water mini's and the start of my commission

I will start with the mini original watercolor I am offering for sale today...

Sunrise             Framed 10x8             $200.

Image: 4 x 1 5/8  so this is small!  I actually painted this while on a cruise.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!

Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383

All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
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OK...now onto my commission.  The scene is near Bar Harbor, MA.   I am trying another new paper, Legion Stonehenge Aqua  300lb cold press for all you painters out there.   By now if you follow my blog you know that no matter what I am painting I follow the same pattern.

Step 1 - study the subject, understand it.  Take it apart in your mind.  Do NOT start until you understand the subject.

Step 2 - I usually do a rough sketch in my sketchbook just to get the feel and an understanding of perspective.

NOTE:  when I am painting a commission I like to make the painting a collaboration between me and my client.  I usually use their photo (I will take my own if the subject is close to me)  We then talk about what they envision.  The client already is familiar with my style so they know what to expect.  I discuss what to leave in, leave out, what they see as the focal point.  I then email the drawing for changes/approval.  Once I start laying in color I cannot make changes.

Step 3 -  I hand draw on my watercolor paper.  Many artists use projectors or the computer for the drawing.  I love to draw, I am good at it and my personal opinion is that it makes the painting more of a painting and less stiff.  It helps me become very familiar with the piece. The drawing is my guide.

I sent the drawing to my client and she had me make two adjustments.  With a bit of erasing it was accomplished.  This is my final drawing.  Now I am ready to add paint.  My paper is basically in half, with the sky the top half and water in the bottom half.  I am starting with the sky.  I adjust my painting style by what the subject needs.  So for this sky I wet the paper with a thin wash of water, not over the clouds which I need to save.  I dropped my blue into the wet area and moved it around creating my sky.  If you are observant you will notice a bit of purple and a bit of yellow.  I recommend you go outside and pay attention to our fantastic sky!

I am going to stop with the sky and move down to the rocks.  Adding texture and shape.

More tomorrow.

water...

My next large painting is a commission of a water scene. I have it drawn but the client requested a slight change so I will be working on it over the weekend and will share the steps very soon.  Meanwhile, to get you into the mood, here are some miniature water paintings.

Calm Water     Framed 8x10             $200.



Island #2         Framed 8x10         $200.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.

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We took a hike at Speedwell Forge yesterday!  Both of us needed some fresh air and different scenery.   Finished the Netflix series The Last Kingdom.  I loved it, but it was battle after battle.  Not a time period I would have wanted to live in.

FINISHED!

My chair is finished!  Click on it to view it larger.  I love it!  Even more stunning in person.  Study the shadows! 

Untitled!     Framed 20x22     



Picking up from yesterday I am building the view out the window.  Darkening the grass, starting the road.



Sky is in.  Trees in the background.  Now I will go over the whole painting and just smooth it out,  softening any edges.

I have not priced it yet, whenever I finish a painting I know is strong my immediate reaction is that it is worth $$$$$!   I need to live with it a little, get distracted with a new painting and then I am able to be reasonable!  Pricing for an artist is really hard.  And after 40 years of painting you tend to think prices should be higher.  Linda always lectures new artists (and me!)  that the price is simply what your own market can bare.  You can put any price you want on a painting.  But what will it reasonably sell for?   Linda is very in tune with my market, she attempts to soothe my ego... and as a business person she has a price structure we use, and occasionally like with the covered bridge we go outside the structure   But if you are seriously interested...make me an offer!!

I am now ready to start my commission.  I will have a drawing tomorrow.

Pottery and my chair...

This miniature original watercolor study from 2016 is looking for a new home!

2016 Still Life #4       Framed 9x9          $135.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
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MUSINGS:  Other than a 53 mile bike ride on Sunday (I know!! pretty lucky to get out that long, totally by myself.)  I have been working on my chair painting non stop.  While I have been painting the same amount of hours a day as I always have, I am feeling this odd freedom in my painting, not in the actual painting but in my mind (maybe heart or soul??)  We talked about it and I think because I have nothing I am painting for... like the pressure of keeping my show stand filled with fresh work, or not having shows every weekend to pack and unpack... my mind is simply free to think about my painting.  I can spend whatever amount of time per painting as I want.  Years of discipline in painting every day, all day is simply what I do so there is no desire to slack off.  I am feeling free to do as I please!   Abbey sent me a wonderful photo from Maine that I want to paint, Linda actually suggested I do it 25x29"  and my eyes lit up, really that big??   Now normally the conversation needs to go to the hours it will take and then selling it and the price such a large painting should be ($4000-$6000.)  But she said so what, just paint it and have fun.  So....  it is going on a board which I will share later. First I have a chair to finish and a commission to start.

THE CHAIR:    Remember to scroll back to see where I left off.

I am slowly adding the shadows on the chair seat.

Going darker on the seat, see how I am saving that shadow?  I am also now working on the slate floor.  The above painting shows the warm under painting, now I am smoothing it out with cooler colors saving that important shadow.  Do you know warm and cool colors?   Warm would be yellows and cool would be blues and grays.  In watercolor the warm color must go down first with the cooler over top, remember I am staining the paper so every color shines through.



Finishing the wall.  Finishing the floor.



Now I am turning my attention to the view outside the window.  I am taking some artistic license here, since I did not like the sidewalk scene that was originally in my photo.  I am going with a bit of landscape.  I drew it in.  Added the basic grass and trees in the horizon..   More tomorrow.


KINDNESS:   Meanwhile I received a porch delivery from our good friend Lynn, THANK YOU!  She bakes the best shortbread.  A weakness of mine, I usually hide the bag so I don't have to share them!  She is also a wonderful seamstress and she made us a few masks, Linda claimed two and I am using the one with cats.  During this time the kindness of others is so important.  Ask yourself... have I done an act of kindness in the past week??  If not, do something nice for someone.  It means a lot.

silver and my chair...

I thought this silver candle stick was a nice compliment to the chair I am working on.

Still Life #5       Framed 10x8            $225.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.
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SHOW UPDATE:
5/30 Red Bank, NJ show is CANCELLED
6/13 Glen Falls, NY show is moved to 8/29  But I have serious doubts it will be held.
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I did not move from my painting table today!  I just received a wonderful commission that I want to start when this chair painting is finished, so I am focused!  Scroll down to refresh your memory on where I left off.  I think you can click over the photos to make them a little larger.

I just keep deepening the chair color.  Added the shadows across the seat.



Added warmth to the seat, painting around the light.  Starting the first washes on the window and the wall.  I jumped ahead and have several layers on the floor which is slate slabs.



Window and walls getting darker and a few more washes on the seat.  Notice I move around the whole painting.   I work light to dark and moving around the painting helps me keep it more balanced.   It also keeps me from overworking one area, my focus moves around the paper.  There is no right or wrong way to work a painting,  it is how it works best for each artist.

Landscapes

I am still posting from the collection that would have been exhibited in my miniature show.  I picked two landscapes for today.
Landscape #2    Framed 10x8      $225.

I love the early evening shadows...

Landscape #6    Framed 10x8   $225.

This little gem is from my bike ride.  I like the corner of the barn which plants you but the view of the land lets your eye roam around.

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.


I did not get as much painting time in the last two days.  Yesterday started with several boxes to pack and then our two week grocery shopping, UPS and the bank.  Today, a few more orders to fill and another trip to UPS.  I am happy to say Linda gave me a much needed haircut since a trip to the barber doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

Seating...

I am going with a "seating" theme today.  I wanted to show the progress on my latest chair and the only miniature painting I had with a seat was this 2016 bench which I lowered the price so it finds a new home.

2016 Still Life #17   Framed 8x10   $200.00

The price includes acid free framing, a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) and I will throw in FREE SHIPPING!
Paintings are available to the first person to email or call 717.627.3383
All are framed in black wood frames however you may have them in walnut frames.

NEXT PAINTING!
Now on to the exciting part...  my new chair.  paper is 17x20  Trying a new sheet of watercolor paper with this one; Windsor Newton Professional 300 lb cold press.
I keep saying this, my process is always the same, no matter the size or the subject. For a realist painter it starts with understanding the subject.  Where are my shadows and light coming from and how are they landing.  Think proportion.   Where is my negative space.   Next is a good drawing.  I spent a full day on this drawing.  For me, I do not rush the drawing.



Starting with washes, thin layers of color.  I don't think there is any one place to start.  I did a wash on the floor and moved onto the chair.



Building the patina on the chair... I can already see in my mind where this is going.
Notice the white of the paper I am saving to create the shadows?  I am working around the saved space.

If you have any questions feel free to email me.