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.

Mothers Day... flowers

I am still thinking Mother's Day and flowers...  Starting with an amaryllis that Linda had earlier this year, which feels like a lifetime ago.  It was this stunning white.

SOLD!   Flower #2       Framed 9x9"        $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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Last week I spent my time working on this waterlily.  I was most interested in the petal reflections
Untitled and again... you buy it and you may title it!
 Framed 18x14"      $800.       Original Watercolor

This is on the new paper: Canson Moulin du Roy...
I liked the paper, it accepted the washes well.  Would not say I love the paper.  The quest for the perfect paper continues.

Specials available till Mothers Day

Mom needs a larger painting??  This is the last of the Mother's Day Specials and all 9 prints will be available until May 10.

Summer Reflection    Image: 14.5x13"   Framed: 22x20"



When Life Give You Lemons    Image: 17x15"                Framed: 22x20"



Heritage     Image: 15x17"    Framed: 20x22"

Mother's Day Special:
Print only $42.50 -  that is 1/2 off the regular price of $85!   You Save $42.50!!
Framed Print:  add $50 framing - choice of walnut or black wood frame with a double mat.
plus shipping...  let us ship it to Mom!
AND a gift to you... a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value)
To order send an email and I will gladly help you.

more for Mothers Day

Three more Mother's Day gift ideas for you.  These are my limited edition prints, signed and numbered.  Price good till Mothers Day!

Full Bloom    image: 14.5 X 10.5"    framed: 21x17"


Perfect Harmony      Image:  12x16"  framed: 17x21"


Welcome Home   Image: 12x16   Framed:  17x21

Mother's Day Special:
Print only $25.00 -  that is 1/2 off the regular price of $50!   You Save $25.00!!
Framed Print:  add $50 framing - choice of walnut or black wood frame with a double mat.
plus shipping...
AND a gift to you... a coupon for 2 free shrink wrapped mini prints ($25 value) 
You might want to send one to yourself!!