All of the major forms are blocked in and light and shadow for the most part mapped out. Now it's time to slow down a bit and work in all of the subtle variations of color and light throughout. This is the fun part, frosting the cake so to speak. On Saturday I will visit the family and take photos of the pets to add to the compositions.
Today I will take more photos of the landscappe and get started on drawing the image on the larger canvas.
a detail from the same image.
Not sure if this is finished yet. Something is not quite right, I'll have to look at it for a few days to figure it out. Maybe some warm tones in the shadow...
The backlit pears were definitely a challenge! They feel a bit overly dramatic, so I'm waiting to take a look at it after a break.
The red painting is a tribute to Alice in Wonderland. I found the door nob on a treasure hunt with my friends Rhonda and Christy. It had to go in a painting about Alice! The white patches will be cards, the king and queen of hearts. Then a little tweaking in details.
Thomas Eakins
The show has been up for two weeks now. I'm just starting to get back into a routine. Teaching takes up a large chunk of my time, which makes it challenging to get enough studio time. Thank goodness for a loving supportive family. 
Four days of much need R&R and creative inspiration. My POBL (Painters of Bumping Lake) buddies are amazing!
two or three times a month I attend a figure drawing session. Most of the time I draw with charcoal, but last session I worked in oil on gessoed art board. The panel is toned with raw umber to put it at mid value. Before I start painting I mix a range of values from dark to light in about five or six steps with the raw umber and titanium white. First step is to block in the basic figure then work up the darks. From there it's a matter or building the form in value using the pre-mixed range. 
Sadly the world has lost a master of art this month, Andrew Wyeth. There is a sense of mystery and solitude in his work, which reminds me of the pacific NW in winter. Muted colors, dark, gnarled, and brooding nature. There is a book out titled, Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman, if you get a chance pick it up and read it. Such an interesting man.
These two paintings are completed. The final two layers are usually very satisfying. Such a treat to see the paintings come together at the end. The frosting on the cake is getting to start a new painting!
This particular series is a good example of finding the basic forms in planes of value and color. The pear on the left has been divided up to show the light as it wraps around the pear. Once the basic shapes are defined it's a process of finding the more subtle transitions then blending to soften them. I'll post the finished painting as soon as it's finished.
