Thistle Seeds

So hard to photograph this painting.

A very simple idea sometimes can make for a very satisfying painting. This is an alla prima painting which is Italian for at once. Most of my paintings are done in one session. This method is also called direct painting. Indirect painting is done in layers building the color and values with translucent glazes. My painting of Chloë will be done using this latter method. Much more time consuming as each layer must dry before the next can be put down.

We spent several weeks on our property pulling thistles. Now I see these beautiful fairies floating on every breeze.

This painting is 12x12. Oil.

white on white

I don't often do the same subject over and over.

I found this beautiful white moth dead on my windshield. Still perfect in form.

I've mentioned before how the human eye can see so much more than pigments can reproduce. Painting subjects that are all white are very challenging. Because the whitest white is several shades darker than the brightest light every darker shade must consequently also be adjusted. With all white subjects, in this case a very white moth on white paper, the goal is to retain the feeling of everything being white.

These are 8x10 oil paintings on stretched canvas.

discovering walnut oil

I tried using walnut oil instead of linseed oil in the Cumulus painting. Walnut oil is supposed to yellow less over time.
It took about 4-5 days to dry. And when dry it was glossy as if it had been freshly varnished. I am still going to varnish it with the Soluvar varnish in order to protect the painting but I'm tempted not to as the paint looks so beautiful as is.
I don't think I'll be going back to linseed oil for a long while.

getting bigger

This is a 30x30 work. Not very huge but will take more than a few hours to complete. Even more than a few days most likely. I haven't worked this large in a long time.
The subject is my oldest daughter Chloë. So far I like that the cat Whiskers is an element and there is a book since Chloë loves both. I also like the angles of her chin, the book, and her legs. I also like that the cat's tail forms a sort of question mark. Cats are sensual creatures and my daughter is at the threshold of becoming a woman and all that that entails. (No pun intended.) Who is this person I loved as a babe becoming?
I have high hopes for this piece.