Rearrange 17

6.5 X 6.5 Inches

Oil on paper

I cleaned the house today. I moved things around, organized, you name It! So I decided why not paint a few dress forms in front of a sofa. I used a photo reference for color guidance and placement. I love dress forms. I always have and now I am giving myself permission to paint them!

This house 16

6.5 X 6.5 inches

Oil Sticks on Art board

Have you heard of the morguefiles?  it's a website that lets you download copyright free images! I search there a lot for inspiration. I found this little barn on there and just wanted to paint it.



This is the actual picture from morguefiles.

I had fun painting it. I used my palette knife to mix the clouds, as well as scratch into the house to add a bit of definition. I like it. Not love it but like it. I would love to take a peak inside.

Magic happens 15

6.5 " X 6.5 "

Oil stick on paper

I don't know what it is about paper that I feel I can paint freely. Perhaps, the oil sticks go on better? Or, that I really always wanted to paint a dress form. Love. Better painting picture to follow.

Hanging out 14

 

 

6.5" X 6.5"

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

 

I love hanging things. These hanging mugs were just perfect! I was mentally struggling with making them look realistic vs. painterly expressive. In the end I just painted. That inner critic has to chime in somehow. 

Learn 13

6.5" X  6.5

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

Some paintings don't always turn out great but you learn a lot from them. This is one of them. As I am not all that happy with it, I learned a few things that are essential to painting with Shiva paintstiks.  I am finding that with oil sticks, blocking in the lights first will yield brighter lights then trying to get them on top of a darker color. So, when I put down a light color, I have to leave it alone, unless I intend to darken it for a shadow. Which also makes me have to think about where I place my colors rather then just diving in. I work mostly intuitively which works most of the time but there is always that sometime that it doesn't. So, thinking about the placement of the paint is worth doing more often. Since they are oil sticks, I mix colors right on the surface, which I love but some colors don't mix well, and don't yield the same color that I am looking for. On that not, I must do color mixing experiments with the shiva paintstiks! I will make a color wheel with them to see which colors mix the best and keep as a reference. Note to self: google that before attempting. The work may have already been done and I won't have to waste paint on it. If not, go and do it.

 

 Have you noticed my last three painting have my initials on them? Yea, baby!

Doctor 12

6.5" X 6.5"

Oil Sticks on Art Board

This is a painting of my doctors hallway.  I really really like this painting! I like the walls and the texture. The sun coming in on the floor. I am happy with it.



It also helped getting through my doctors appointment as I dreamed of painting this. Must do again.

Signature 11

6.5" X 6.5 "

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

 

I always forget to put down my signature. Well, honestly, it's not that I forget but rather I feel that my signature takes away from the painting. I mean, who wants to see my signature, right? I have been reading lately that a signature is actually very important to a painting. It makes the painting official, either it be initials or a full name, it should be included. So I am making a conscious effort to include my initials in my paintings from here on out. I can't believe how hard it was! My initials are in the bottom right hand corner of this painting. Funny, the "s" seems cropped out! I didn't do that on purpose, I swear! Even while posting this picture, I seem to be having trouble with showing my initials. That's telling isn't it? Well, it's there. I am slowly getting used to it. 

 I really like this painting. Even though I live in Florida, I haven't been to the beach since August. I should be ashamed of myself! The beach is calling me. I can hear it in the waves of this painting. I can see myself sitting in the yellow chair under the umbrella. I prefer the shade. I am not a fan of the sun so you will rarely catch me sunbathing but rather under an umbrella people watching. Well, watching my kids is more like it.

 

I will see you soon, beach! 

Reflections 10

 

 

6.5 " X 6.5 "

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

Okay, so I tried a figure finally. I instantly noticed that my hands gripped the oil sticks harder, and my mind wants to make details. I wanted to accomplish so many things with this little painting. That's my problem when it comes to figures. I want it all....color, emotion, detail, vagueness, expression. I quickly became exhausted with the painting and called it done. I like some parts of it. The parts I left alone, like the back of her neck.  I  wish I would've left the painting alone instead of dulling the colors. I have to try this again soon.

On a positive note, this is my tenth post! Yippee for me!!



By the Window 09

 

6.5" X 6.5"

 

Oil Sticks on Art board

 

 

I have this pretty vase on a table in my home that I have been wanting to paint so I finally got a chance too! I allowed myself to change the colors of the walls and floor since my real home colors are boring. I like the picture. I may do it again and work on the table some more as the perspective is off. I did accomplish transparent window curtains by gently adding a white oil stick on top of the bottom paint. I like that part the best and excited that I did it in one sitting. 

Red Flowers 08

Sold

6.5" X 6.5"

Oil Sticks on Art Board

I know. Green again. But I am very pleased with this painting! I used my viewfinder again. Used a copyright free picture as my reference and propped up the viewfinder to the Ipad. It just makes it easier to place objects in relation to each other. I am finding painting scenes of interiors very enjoyable. It's hard for me to find references that I like or find interesting enough to paint though. Always a critic....gotta do something about that.

Daisies 07

Sold
6.5" X 6.5 "

Oil Sticks on Art Board

My husband gave the girls and I these beautiful daisies. I used one of the viewfinders I made to look for a nice composition. I am definitely warming up to the viewfinder. It's actually quite fun!  I love the way they came out! I did have to wait an hour to put down the last whites on the daisies. That's the best part with these Shiva Paintstiks. I usually complete a painting in one sitting but if I need the picture to pop with a little color, I wait about 40 minutes to an hour to add the color I want. The oil paint is still wet but I can go in and mark the painting with the color I want and it stands out. The wait is not long so I don't feel its cheating. 

In Time 06

 

6.5" X 6.5"

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

I am working on color combos. It's a bit funky but I like it. I used my palette knife to make marks, which I am loving. I have abandoned my brushes but so far I am not missing them...yet.