Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Painting Sunlight Warms the Studio


"Parking Lot Pumpkin" 16 x 16 oil on canvas panel (work in progress)

 “Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

As we wrap up the first month of 2013, I want to thank all my students who started the year off with me--can't wait to paint with you in 2013! 

Many thanks too to all my national collectors on Daily Paintworks—I’ll be posting several of my paintings up for bid from my recent winter gallery show in the next few weeks.  (These paintings will be at a significant savings off the gallery price since they are direct from my studio.)

My yearlong master oil painting class with  Denver painter Kevin Weckbach will be wrapping up next month and so I’m really trying to concentrate on these few final assignments.  For the light and shadow painting assignment I chose this sunlit farmer’s market pumpkin from last October. It’s not quite complete, but so far I’m very happy with it.  Like the classical painters from centuries past, I love the drama of  the light and shadow approach--it's not vague or wishy washy.  Your subject is either in the light or it's not. Plus it's always a joy to paint sunlight in the middle of winter. 

My New Favorite Art App and Studio Tool
As I mentioned in a previous post I've recently switched from printed photos (as a reference) to my iPad. I also use a application called AccuView. This app not only grids your photo (as you can see below) but also allows you to quickly check your gray scale--I absolutely love it. 

Also the metal holder that you see is a Ori iPad holder from Joby--it holds up my iPad to make painting off it even easier. (Am not sure if they still make them but you may be able to find them on eBay.)

Thanks again for stopping by—wishing you a creative and colorful week!

4 comments:

  1. I love it! You paint beautifully! I have an ipad. Sadly I have not figured out how to put photos onto it! But I paint outside anyway. Thank you for the information about AccuView. That does sound like an excellent tool! I think most painters now days either paint from their ipad or computer monitor! Who wants to drive to a store to develop photos? That can take hours! Renee Lammers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much Susan--your paintings are gorgeous too! My goal this year is to paint outside more but in the mean time I love my AccuView.

    The AccuView also saves me a ton of printer ink and paper expense!

    I think there are some really easy ways to get your photos on the iPad (such as iCloud, a cable, etc.)but I just take a few minutes each day to pick my favorites and then email them to myself.

    In your iPad email if you click on the "arrow" it will save your photo to your gallery.

    Have fun and happy painting!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for a great idea! I've been trying to figure out how to use my tablet more! Love the pumpkin...makes me remember those wonderful fall days in Ohio!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your welcome Mary and thank you--I'm a big pumpkin "nostalgia" fan too! Happy tablet painting!

    ReplyDelete