More Fruit

The kitchen is currently supplying my painting inspiration and subject matter for the practise of my brush strokes. When the holiday period arrives I'm hoping to be able to sit down and review the learning that these small studies have provided.

Lemon and Clementine - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5"

Raiding the Pantry

This last week the pantry has been the source of my inspiration. The weather here has got cold and my aching bones rebel at trying to paint outdoors which leaves the option of painting indoors and using whatever is available so the pantry gets raided.

Aubergine, chilli and shallot - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5"

Shallots and Vase

Another little piece to keep the brushes working. These quick studies are a lot of fun and hopefully they are going to hone my technique.

Shallots and Vase - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5"

More Fruit

Another quick painting before the fruit get consumed. It is such a pleasure to do these quick alla prima pieces. I think I might uses these as warm up pieces before working on more considered pieces.

Clementines and lemon - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5"

Alla Prima Again

Another happy hour spent with the paints and a clementine. Main concern getting paint on the board and avoidance of too much time spent in attempting to refine it. 

Now that I've had a couple of hours to reflect on it there are myriad improvements that I could make but they will have to wait till next time. Issues that come to mind are variety of edges, stronger value changes and better colour mixing, particularly in the greens.

After that an apology for a less than perfect photograph, a bit too much reflection in the background darks being the main problem.

Tomorrow a variety of fruit!

Clementine - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5"

Alla Prima Exercise

With just a little painting time this week I thought I'd attempt a small alla prima piece and chose a subject that was fairly straightforward a bit of fruit. At this point I should point out that the picture is very much based on the work of Julian Merrow-Smith who produces a lot of alla prima work, I believe he makes a work every day as well as his more considered work. Well worth looking up if you are interested in still life, in particular.

I'm also getting used to working on gesso board which is a new support for me. The main difference I'm finding is the speed of absorption and the necessity to use thicker paint. This, I think, makes it a suitable medium for alla prima work. 

Lemon - Oil on gesso board 7" x 5" ( After Merrow-Smith)

A Little Venice View for My Sister

One of my lovely sisters turned sixty last week so it seemed a good idea to use my recent Venice trip to provide a little something for her to hang on her newly decorated sitting room. The result is below.

Salute from Riva degli Schiavoni - Oil on Gesso Board