This weeks paintings

It snowed the other day and I really wanted to paint the snow. However I couldn't get myself to stand out in the wind and the cold. So I studied the colors very carefully and took some pictures. I painted this in my studio trying hard to remember the colors I saw and not just copying the photo. I think it turned out pretty good. This is, by the way, another painting of the view from our house.

These next two paintings are from today. Sharon and I went to a new place by Higene. I think it is called sunset lakes.

This is from a photo of my friend Chris. I plan on putting some color on this week.

I did this in figure this week. I really wish I would have noticed that his head was too small in class instead of noticing it the next day.

Still lifes / Plein airs

With the shorter days it is getting harder to get out after work, so I have been setting up still lifes. Here are two I did this past week. 

Sharon and I ended up at Saw Mill Ponds again today. We walked in a bit further to this spot. 

The air was much clearer today so I was able to see and paint the snow in the mountains. The biggest snow field is Arapaho glacier nestled in between north and south Arapaho peaks.

Weds. night figure.

I am going back packing in Utah next weekend and in preparation, found this cool little water color kit. The oils are way too heavy to take back packing. These are my first two paintings with the new kit. It should be perfect for my trip.

Still lifes

brush off

wrench on hammer

golden ear ring

tighten, poke, pinch

see sea shell 

cups

I painted some cups this week. My friend Karen lent me some books with paintings of everyday objects. It inspired me. So here are some paintings of our cups and dishes.

 This exercise was very interesting. There are many different shades and colors in such a simple object. I didn't get them all, so I am sure to try more of this.

These things have hung above my side of the bed for years and years. A friend gave both me and Debbie our own set. I noticed them the other day while looking for something to paint. When I finished the under painting, I thought it looked so nice I couldn't get myself to paint over it.

I did this this afternoon. It is from behind my friends near Nederland.

This of course is from Weds. night. I took my time and didn't worry about ever getting any color down.

pretty good week

It feels like I  had a pretty good week painting wise. This one is from this morning off of Cherry Vale rd. The trees are turning there fall colors every where you look. It is such a beautiful time of year.

This is from this after noon. I went back to sawmill ponds where there is something to paint any direction you look. I am on the shadow side of these trees. Trying to paint the light coming in from the other side was the lesson of the afternoon. 

This was painted last evening from our deck. I set up about an hour before I new the light was going to look like this. I had it all laid out and ready to go for when the light was just right, then I had to work fast to get all the colors and values just right. The sun was down in no time. All in all I think it turned out pretty good.

This was done Friday late afternoon from our deck. Again the sun went down quickly so I had to remember. I am quite happy with this.

I painted this earlier in the week I think my new under painting technique along with a new medium is starting to pay off.

This is another under painting done in our Weds night figure session. It was raining when I took it out to the car. Being oil I wasn't worried, but apparently this medium is water soluble. That's where all of the little spots came from. I think it looks kind of neat, Like snow is falling.

and finally I thought I'd throw this one in. I was able to get Leo to sit still long enough for me to get this quick sketch.

Trying to break out of a bit of a slump

I feel like I've been in a bit of a slump this week. This one is the best of the bunch. I went back to Sawmill ponds yesterday to paint. It was really hazy, which I think is kind of cool for painting. It's much easier to see the atmospheric perspective.

This is also from sawmill ponds. I am undecided on this one. I may work on it some more.

While there Some geese came in and landed on the water. I tried to do a quick sketch of one. They were gone by the time I started putting color on. I'm not sure, aren't their necks all black?

I am trying a new medium to do my under paintings, to try and gain some control. This is a self portrait with that medium. I've been practicing more since this try and am looking forward to useing it this Weds. in figure drawing/painting.

I've done this painting before and thought I'd try again. I had to cut my session short so it seems unfinished to me. But, still I think it has some things going for it, so I thought I'd share

adjusted paintings

I just was not very happy with the two paintings I did at Kenosha pass yesterday, so when I got home from work, I tried to make them better. The color of the aspens was not popping the way it does in real life. I opened a new tube of yellow and it seemed a lot more vibrant than my old yellow, so I started putting it on straight out of the tube and then worked in some oranges and greens. I think I've improved them. What do you think?