Cup and Bottle

Another Value study using Ultramarine Blue and Orange. 

Value Study - Cup and Bottle

I enjoyed painting this small study very much.  I was really trying to be as accurate with the values and the drawing as I could.  I have much to learn!

Arrangements of Ginger Jar and small vessels

Two studies of a favourite ginger jar that I have.  The top one uses a palatte of Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Orange and white, while the bottom one is painted with Ivory Black and Titianium White. 

Value Studies - White Cups

For the dark value in this and the previous study I used burnt umber, which is a nice warm dark.  It is fast drying so don't leave it on your palatte over night or you will be like me and scraping it off  the next day.

Value Studdies

I'm continuing with my work emphasising values and improving my drawing.

Value Studies

A couple of more views of the same white cup.  I am realizing how important is brushwork and accuracy.  I also realise now how the loose brushwork and casual look of many of the paintings of artists that I so admire look that way because the artists have great drawing skills and the ability to make their works look simple and easy.  Behind that loose, easy facade is a firm, hard body of knowledge and technical skill.  Kudos to all those who have spent hours, and hours on learning how to render simple, true objects.
Thank you to readers of my blog who  have returned and continued to follow me after my hiatus through my internet troubles and through the busy holiday season when I didn't post for a while.  I was so happy to see a comment, I can't tell you.

Value Study Series - 2

This small white cup is a favourite of mine.  Marina and I were in New York State at a workshop given by Carol Marine, when we found these sweet little cups plus some other things to paint in one of the stores in the local mall in Greenville.  I have been using the cup in quite a few of my value studies exercises in the past couple of weeks.  I felt that the cup handle came out pretty well in this painting. I find that the handles are tricky to paint, to get the orientation right and the thickness of the various sections of the handle correct.

White Cup

It is great to be back on my blog again!  Ever since my email got hacked I have been experiencing lots of techical problems, including not being able to post any pictures to my blog.  I have been continuing to paint though, and have spent the past few weeks working through some exercises suggested by Liz Wiltzen, specifically painting value studies. It has been really useful, I have learned a lot and have enjoyed the process.