A Quiet Mug of Tea

After a long but happy Thanksgiving I feel focused enough to start painting again.  If I don't paint for a while I feel like I don't remember what I'm aiming for, that is, getting it down in one stroke. Of course, there are parts of this little painting that took multiple tries but for the most part, it went well.  The Gamblin Radiant paints that I ordered came in the mail. I haven't figured out how to blend them so for now I'll just try to use them as a spot of color here and there.

Pear Essentials

These three red pears were painted from a new vertical perspective and boy did that make them challenging.  If you look closely, my drawing can be seen below the paint. I don't usually draw first but after a failed first attempt and wipe-off I needed to change my strategy. 

Blue Pitcher and Orange

Yesterday I was talking to another painter about radiant paints and bright colors. She uses Gamblin paints and explained the difference between the two. In my painting today I mixed titanium white with both phthalo blue and green and got two bright colors.  Other colors that brighten with the addition of white (not lighten and dull)  are indian yellow and quinacridone pigments.  Gamblin Radiants, which I haven't bought yet are more modern colors but they are also beautiful. This explanation is only as accuarate as my understanding of these colors. If there is anything missing in my explanation, feel free to leave a comment. I might have to retake another photo of my painting. It's overcast today and there was a lot of glare which made my painting look grainy.

Carolyn's Cake

 We had a potluck luncheon at Beekman Artist Studios http://www.beekmanartistsstudios.com at the end of summer to celebrate the start of the fall season and just to get together.  This cake made by Carolyn, one of the artists there, adorned with fresh flowers, looked so beautiful that I had to whisk it away for  pictures before  it  could be eaten.  

Oh My Darling Clementine

I am  inspired to paint as often as I can by two daily painters, Carol Marine, of course, and also Lisa Daria. I was just blown away by Carol's painting today of Farmers Market Tomatoes.  I have looked at my tomatoes in those little green cardboard containers so many times and wondered how could I paint them. It never gelled for me.  I don't think I'll be able to top that.  Also, having subscribed to Lisa Daria's blog, my phone alerts me every day at about 1PM to another of her postings.  I am so impressed with Lisa's dedication to painting and love her style too.  I hope that if I keep on painting I'll be half as accomplished as these two daily painters.

Red Onions

Yesterday was the last delivery of our CSA. We got pounds and pounds of root vegetables. Most a dull tan or brown. These red onions were the only colorful vegetable in the lot. Except for the beets, whose juices are a beautiful red, and the inside of the butternut squash, which is a nice orange.