Commission Finished!!

Finished!   It feels good to be finished!  Feels even
better that the client is happy.  I still need to frame it
and as requested... bang a nail and hang it!

Commission

Still working on my commission...
I spent the last day and a half on the fence
and simply going around the painting blending
and softening.  This helps add texture and depth.
My client came to look at it and was pleased!
That's a relief, we talked about the framing and
payment!  I still have a day or two of work.

commission getting closer to the finish...

To give you a time frame, yesterday I posted at 3PM.
I stayed at my desk till 10pm  (7 hours)  and today
from 10-1 (3 hrs) so 10 more hours..

I darkened the grass and added the dirt path.

The barns needed attention, I added shadows to the
fore-bay  which really gives the barn depth.
Washed over the bricks so they look older.

Here is the overview.

Now it is time to work on that old iron fence...
Underwashes to make the rust shine through.

On a personal note...
My glasses are less than a year old and I noticed they
were cracked.  These are $479 Oakleys...  So I went out
to Lenscrafters where I bought them.  Question:  did you
buy the 1 year warranty sir??   me: No, who expects $479
glasses to crack in under a year...    Actually the manager
was very nice, he found another pair and made the whole
thing right, free of charge.  I was more than impressed.
So...Lenscrafters I am spreading your good name and I will
return when I need my next pair!!

still working in my commission!

My last update was Friday at 7PM.   You can add
about 28 more hours of work.

Close up of the cupola and more work under the eves.
Added the date stone

Here I added shadows to the porch, added steps
and some paint to the under porch area.
Also starting to add landscape the the left side.

Here is an overview shot. Added the tree.
I hope you get the idea that this was once
a grand estate.  Soon to be a shopping mall...

Added the "haint blue" to the porch ceiling, as
was a custom in that time period.
Next is the grass, this is my first washes of green,  I am
working around the fence, choosing not to use any maskoid
to save the fence, I am able to simply take my time and work
between it.  That comes from 35 years of practice!

Here is a closeup of the grass work.
Remember this is only my beginning washes.

More work under the porch.
1st set of greens is completed.  Notice how
by adding the grass it changes the view.
You now have a grand sweep showing distance.

I added the lines in the barn and milk house.
Also went back over the clouds and softened
them.

And your final total view so far....

commission continues...

Every spare moment is being spent on this painting!

There is a ton of small details...  I am putting a warm
wash  of cadmium yellow and yellow ochre as a base
on each window.  Going darker into the shutters and
laid the porch floor.

You can see I am moving around the house adding
under-washes which will make this painting warm.

This shows an overall view...

Can you see the changes?  Chimney, detail under the eves,
porch floor, under the porch.  Notice the impressionistic
work of the brick that was white-washed.

I am totally enjoying myself, just taking my time.

Commission

I worked in the pine trees behind the barn.
Starting the house shutters.

Notice the detail in the upper floor shutters...
tops are louvered and the bottoms solid.

Just taking my time...

Commission

I painted last night till about 11pm and started back at it early

this morning and for the whole day.  I am moving around the

painting a bit.  My client wanted peony bushes in front of
the brick wall and a weeping willow behind the house.
So far my colors are bright, but wait till I add shadows and
light.

Tuesday evening I am giving a FREE lecture at the
Lititz Library.  6:30-7 is the Art Association meeting
7-8 is my lecture and demonstration.
"How to Stay Motivated as an Artist"
FREE!!  If your local please stop in and help fill
the room!!

Commission

I have been spending all of my time on my new commission. Since the
first of January I completed two full scale hand drawings, each taking
about a week.   They were viewed by my client, changes were made
both times.  I finally was able to draw (a third time) on my watercolor
paper.  Below is the hand drawing.
This is a full sheet watercolor ~ 30" X 22"

Once this final drawing was completed and OK'd I am able to

start painting.  With watercolor it is important to have your
drawing correct.  Once I start adding paint, the paint stains
the paper and it is hard to make changes.

I am starting at the top, working in my sky.

 Detail in the clouds and working on the tree.
This is two full days of painting.  I need to take my time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We did have a fun weekend in Washington, DC with friends.
Stayed at The Hotel Lombardy which was very nice.  Went
to the Bureau of Engraving,  The Basilica, and the
Newseum.   We had wonderful meals at: Founding Farmers,
District Commons and Marvin.

Linda is still fighting off her chest cold. Which I gave her.
Meds and resting only  helped a little.   Doctor offered
a second round of antibiotic but I think she is going to
wait it out. That brings you up to date.  I plan to paint
most of tonight, in between shoveling...

Cherries

For new students that have never painted I usually start
them off with a fruit.  Looking at color, texture and
light and shadows.  I had 3 classes with new students
and we used a cherry.   Here are my demonstration pieces...

 Cherry Study #1
6"x 4" 

 Cherry Study #2
4"x 6"

 

 Cherry Study #3
6"x 4" 

Today was spent on the full scale study drawing
for my commission.  I am assembling multiple photos
into one drawing. Using historical and current photos
trying to get every building the client wants into this
sweeping view.   I will have several days into working
out the study drawing.  Then my client will look at it
and make any corrections before I even begin to draw
on the watercolor paper.  A slow process but I already
have the image in my mind!

Can it be 2015 already??

 "Diocletian Palace" in Split Croatia ~ 300AD!
6"x 4"  original watercolor
I loved this angle, the blue sky just brings you up.

Korcula, Croatia
4"x 6" original watercolor
They just put up the Christmas tree in the square


In case you did not know, Linda had a wonderful
opportunity to go with Joan, her girlfriend on a
small ship cruise to Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia
and Herzegovina.   I stayed home and played
bachelor for 15 days.  I learned how much I missed
her!  Anyway, I was excited to paint a few of the photos
she took.  The limestone is so old...

I just looked back and was surprised to see I have
been Blogging and doing "A Painting A Day"
for 8 years!  It has become a little harder to do it
daily but don't think for a moment I am not painting
daily!!  I am juggling classes which started yesterday
and of course it snowed so half my class made it!
I started a large estate commission which I will post
when I have permission.  Linda is closing out our
year and reading show applications.  Just keep rolling
along!

Thought I would share some Holiday photos of our
kitties...   handsome boys!