Getting Back to Painting

 

8x8" Oil on canvas board, from life.
My neighbors house on a lovely autumn day. 

October Roses 5x7" oil on canvas board
Painting flowers has been difficult for me.  At least this one "looks" like a rose.

 

The Dark Barn  10x20" oil on stretched canvas
Painted from a photo I took of an old barn in Iowa.  The barn had a different look from each side, as though it were many different buildings. 

The Old Candle Stick Holder 5x7 oil on canvas board
An old brass candlestick holder inherited from my mom and before that an dear elderly friend.  Beeswax candles hand dipped by me. 

Green and White 6x6" oil on gessoed panel
First foray into oil painting in over a year.

Trying to get back to oil painting on a regular basis.  Lots of room to learn and grow! 

Jacque Peak ~ Nearly done

My painting of Jacque Peak is coming along!  The foreground still needs some work, but I'm pleased with how this is coming.

I haven't done very many really big paintings.  Only one other one of this size, and that I left in an unfinished state.  It has been a challenge learning to paint big after doing so many small paintings!  I'm liking it though and hope to do more!

Nocturne ~ Neighbor's House at Dusk

I painted my neighbor's house this evening as viewed through the kitchen window at dusk.  This past summer, Marc Hanson introduced me to painting nocturnes and I really enjoyed it.  So each evening this past week, I've been looking at the neighbor's house in evening when the windows are glowing with warm light and thought that I should try painting it.  It's not a true Plein Air painting as I didn't paint it outside in the open air.  It's too cold and damp for that (at least to my way of thinking!) so I moved the easel in front of the window and worked from there.  Took just an hour or so to get my impression down.

I'd like to try this one again as I think I got the scene too light and not enough contrast.  And looking at the house after the fact, I see that I got a few things "wrong" and I'd like to try to get them "right" the next time!  From any other angle, this little house is rather unassuming, but as viewed from my kitchen windows, it's a lovely little cottage nestled in the trees!

8x10"
Oil on oil primed linen Centurion Panel

Red Barn Fix

At long last I was able to fix the roof on this Red Barn painting that I started oh-so-long-ago.  I'm much happier with it now!  It's funny how at the time I paint something, I can't see the problem, though I know something is wrong.  Yet coming back to it much later, it just jumps out.  I also added some shadowing around the roof to give it more dimension.  Looking at it now that I've posted it here, I need to add some shadow to the roof under the greenery as well.  Then it will be ready to frame!  

Here is the way it used to look.  You can see why the lower edge of the roof was bothering me!

FYI, this is the second in a series of four seasonal barns that I've been working on.  Next up is the Winter scene, which I hope to start once I finish Jacque Peak.  

Jacque Peak WIP

I should have been sleeping yesterday afternoon since I worked last night, but instead I worked more on the Jacque Peak painting.  A painting knife has been my tool of choice for the snow fields.  The brush was leaving "fussy" marks when I wanted large smooth expanses.   

I'm happy with the way that this is coming to life.  Still a long way to go!