I have been long lost in admiration for people like Julian Merrow-Smith whose wonderful archive of his daily painting of daily delights in Provence is testament to his talent and discipline.
In that spirit, I thought to do the occasional very fast oil painting of simple subjects that appeal to me... minimal tweaking and overpainting... an effort to get a fresher result, and to learn to 'see' better, first go.
I doubt I will ever be able to do a painting a day!
I prepared a dark background ..another new experience.. I am never that organised.... and found that to be very helpful and satisfying. In this little painting ...10"X 12", on linen, I am happiest with the plate. And guess what? It was the only bit truly painted without further tweaks. Lesson to self.
Barack Obama is about to make his victory speech (Wednesday2pm our time). My prayers and best wishes go to all my American family and friends for this new era in your wonderful country.
10 comments:
I love these simple shapes and colours (I haven't learnt to do simple in oils yet!) The plate is great (ha) but the pomegranate looks perfect to me... so round and hard and shiny.
We woke up to Obama's speech - all very moving and exciting - a new era indeed.
Looking at your pomegranate again -not shiny, but that leathery sort of skin that is so typical!
The simplicity of shapes and composition are beautiful, V. I love the bold yellow and red, and how the jug is not fully in picture. At Gerland's yesterday (my neighbourhood store) there was a huge wooden tub of pomegranates right at the door as you walked in - a wonderful sight to behold! Now if we could have some more cool, crispy weather...
Love the pomegranate, Vivienne--such luscious, rich reds; the pitcher behind it was a good choice too--I never know what to put around my still life objects!
Barack's speech was beautiful; after the divisiveness of the past eight years and the petulance of Mr. Bush, in Barack's win, we seem to have come of age after a long adolescence!
Thanks Cathy, Gillian and Laura.
I have gone back and put some highlights and modelling into the jug, which is more ochre and less yellow that this. I tried a little desaturating of the colour in the photo before posting, and it helped, but I should have done it a bit more. I guess when you do a ptg a day you just agonise less and move on! Aren't pomegranates, quince, figs and lemons, oh yes and pears and apples good to look at.... just in a bowl?
A good feeling everywhere about the US election result... long may it last!
When are you coming HOME...?
You've been gone way too long...
Ah, I see the answer to my question in Gillian's post ... I was just dropping by to see how you were ... Miss seeing your posts! Best wishes for 2009. Laura
Hey, I'm missing these kitchen table sketches/paintings!! I love the new photo with hat! Is everything OK over there?
Hi
I love your pomegranate painting, great piece. Keep up the good work.
So long since I have visited my own blog... sorry I have not responded, especially Laura and Simoart. Thanks for your encouraging remarks. Laura, travelling and family, domestic concerns, along with some crazy knitting to quiet the creative beast have been keeping me away.
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