Looking at You

Looking at You, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", NFS

Day 14 of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I've been trying to master birds. I feel like I'm making progress, but I'm not there yet.  Using a palette knife adds to the challenge.  I may go back to this one a little later (once the thick paint has dried) to work on the feet. 

Out of the Box

Out of the Box, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", NFS

Day 13 of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I have to admit, I am feeling challenged!  Today I resorted to rummaging through my refrigerator for a subject to paint.  I found a carton of brown eggs which I took upstairs to my studio.  I tried a variety of compositions, and decided on this one for today.  As anyone who paints knows, eggs look like they should be easy to paint, but getting them to look round (or rather oval) is challenging.  I'm using the challenge as an means to improve my palette knife skills.

Today's painting is not for sale. I do have other work that you might like on my web site and in my Daily Paintworks Gallery (click on the icon at right).

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrow, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", NFS

Day twelve of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I decided to try another tree sparrow.  This one is on gessoboard.  It is a bit better than the last one, but there is still more to learn.  It was a bit tricky because of the details - they're pretty hard to get right with a palette knife.  In the end, I used a brush for the feet, beak, and eye.

Note: This painting is not for sale.  I do have other paintings available on my website and on my Daily Paintworks Gallery.

Tree Sparrow Study

Tree Sparrow Study, Acrylic on  Mat Board, 4"x7", NFS

Day eleven of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I thought I would try a tree sparrow today.  This one is on a scrap of mat board.  I was working on proportions and color.  I plan to try another one on gessoboard - maybe tomorrow.  I like paintings of birds because when you get them right, they have a lot of personality.

I love watching the birds in our yard.  We have a bunch of feeders near our apple trees - a combination that seems to attract a lot of different kinds of birds.

Choices, Choices

Choices, Choices, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", $75

Day ten of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  I started this one the other day and then set it aside. So, when I ran out of time today, I picked it back up and finished it.  It's a fun idea, but I think there might be a better way to compose it.  I do like all of the colors of the packages. 

To purchase this painting, please go to the 30 in 30 Challenge page on my website.

Pine Cone

Pine Cone, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", $100

Well, this was a lot more involved than I thought it would be.  I'm glad I finished it, but I will think carefully before tackling another one at this size.  I think a bigger size could be really fun, because you could really get into the color variations and shadows on the individual parts of the cone.  Day nine of the 30 in 30 Challenge.

To purchase this painting, please go to the 30 in 30 Challenge page on my website.

Cool Blue

Cool Blue, Acrylic on Gessoboard, 6"x6", $195

 Day eight of the 30 in 30 Challenge.  This pair of garlic bulbs was an exercise in the use of blues. The dominant color is phthalo blue a strong greenish blue (even though I use the red shade).  I mixed it with alizarin crimson, cadmium orange, Naples yellow (Golden's version) and white to get the range of blues that I needed. As with yesterday's painting, the camera and my computer really didn't want to cooperate - the blues are off and some of the contrast has been lost.  Nevertheless, you can get a pretty good idea of what the painting looks like.

To purchase this painting, please go to the 30 in 30 Challenge page on my website.