Close up Seaside Palette

Seaside Palette

I love water as you may all know by now.

These refelctions caught my eye one day in Seattle, they were wonderful and of course I just had to paint them.

In hindsight I think I would have liked the format longer and more elongated, maybe I will try the subject again. Hmmm?

I had the paper already mounted and cut to size, and it screamed at me "Use me!!" so volia, I did.

Cascade

Well here it is, the final product.

It was a fun pastel to do, and for the most part I am satisfied, thanks for visiting my blog.

Rae

Cascade (the process) page two

My painting is developing well now, I feel comfortable with the colors, some of which had to be toned back. I introduce a tree on the left side, to 'enfold' the scene.

I think this creates more intimacy to the painting.

The water is now enhanced, the composition is adjusted and the rocks have subtle color changes helping the overall painting.

I am almost done.

Cascade ( the process )

As with the image posted prior to this one, I have done a step by step on this one as well.

{Cascade} began with a series of abstract marks, in many colors, some overlay the others, to give soft nuences of color changes.

I draw my image of a rocks and tumbling water over these marks, some will be used to accent elements, some will have to be subdued as the painting progresses.

I know my colors are wild to say the least, however I would rather start with a colorful base, to give my painting impact.

When one drags a pastel over another, (eg. mauve over yellow) the immediate subtle changes are visible, I rely on this even in this early stage.

Gradually I use negative painting to get the rocks to come into focus, then I tackle the water, attempting to get the feeling of the tumbling waterfall.

Serenata

Okay, that's it for now, I am happy with the result, it's framed and ready for the Austin Pastel Society Show at the Nth Hills Gallery.

I began this painting as a horizontal, but as you can see, I have made it a vertical, I feel the drama more this way. I hope you have enjoyed the process.

Serenata (close up)

This shows the closer veils of colors as painting nears completion.

This page shows the middle stages of the painting.

The negative painting takes on more forms, like branches, leaves or vines, but it also makes the flowers 'pop'.

The flowers are now addressed as well, now it's time to seperate the petals and give the flower stamens.

I am beginning to feel the whole thing needs to be bolder, so I gently place some red in the painting, I like the result, so go for broke with more of it and add some oranges as well.

The whole right side of the painting is beginning to take shape now.

I'm Back!

Hello everyone. I am sorry I have not been around for a while, I have had tennis elbow and as painting really aggravated it, I had to stop for a while and have acupuncture treatments.

I decided to do a pastel of flowers in the abstract technique I did with my fish a few weeks ago, only this time (instead of acrylics) I used pastel.

Always a challenge to stay clean and not overload the velour paper, so here goes a step by step demo.

I began with a series of colorful and free strokes on white velour paper.
I then moved to draw a sketchy charcoal floral image over the top of these marks.

My next move is to develop the background with negative painting, making the flowers take some focus.

Jackson 2. SOLD!

Okay I know this is very similar to the last post, but as I said, that first one was a practice. In this one he has a smile on his face and I decided to do it closer to the viewer.

Both the Jackson portraits are now in the hands of Courtney and her family, it was a pleasure to do these for a very dear friend.

Thanks Courtney and thanks to Jackson as well.

Jackson SOLD!

Meet Jackson, he is a commission (practice) for a friend, the actual painting is to come, hope you love him Courtney.

Jackson is now 14 and his legs won't get him places as fast or as steadily as they used to, I know the feeling.

He is a Schnauzer and a sweetie. He sat very still for me to photograph, on his blue bed in the sun..