painting demo - "Almonds"

Throughout art history painters have used the technology of the day to create art. Vermeer had the camera obscura, Rockwell used hundreds of photographs to compose a single painting, etc. The photo-realists took this to a new level in the 70's. As I mentioned in the "Pacific Cod" blog, I find the use of a laptop near my easel invaluable. This is how I utilize it in my work:
First I coat the panel with umber and pull up the forms with a rag:

I next rough in the darks:

establish the highlights:

Final detail:

là vous l'avez - Almonds!

"Chestnuts"

It is truly amazing how fast this year has flown by. Fall is here and with it a bounty of new subject matter. Take for instance the chestnut. Each is as unique as a snowflake and the warm colors and soft reflections off the shell make them fun to paint, either singly or in a bunch. Here is today’s painting.

"Pins and needles"

The daily paintings are meant as warm up exercises. This one is a case in point. My wife was making a beautiful velvet jacket for me and was using the studio to cut and pin the pattern. This little pin box caught my eye. The black box, clear lid and bright shiny pins had the makings of a fun sketch.