A new oil painting. . . .of rocks!
Here is my first oil painting in two or more years! That was a long time to be away from painting, and the tubes of paint let me know in no uncertain terms, as they were stuck shut and I needed to use a pliers to get the tops off!
I completed this small (12″ x 12″) painting in about two weeks, working on it part-time, as I also have another drawing going, which is also almost finished. Basically I’m pleased with what I accomplished which was to get back into painting. It’s a little clumsy in places, but a decent effort overall. I set up several rock piles on some bookbinding fabric, and the fabric has a sheen to it, so it changes from one color to another (or two) depending on which way the light is hitting it. One thing that is so much quicker and easier about oils, versus colored pencils, is doing the backgrounds. Large areas of color can be laid down and gone over again more quickly. However, I miss the unusual and vibrant colors achieved by layering transparent pencil colors.
I’m trying to push myself outside my comfort zone, and to that end, I’m going to continue working an oil painting along side a drawing for the indefinite future. I’m off to start a new oil painting today, and part with a quote from the Boston Globe’s “Reflection for the Day” that I found rather amusing:
A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one. Benjamin Franklin
Fantastic. I love the colors and contrasting background. It certainly doesn’t look like you haven’t painted in years!
I agree with you about backgrounds being easier in oil, but I have to say that I find myself working on the main subjects much more slowly in oil than in colored pencil.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of your oil paintings!
Comment by Holly Bedrosian — Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Debbi, the desire to push outside our present comfort zones is an approach I love to follow too.. it keeps things much more exciting… who better to challenge than ourselves… Your oil painting has a wonderful warmth and the smoothness of stones you have captured so well…
Comment by gwen — Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Hi Debbi; Well, as YOU are aware of my recent foray into painting, I am even more impressed than I may have been prior to that adventure! Very nice; I especially like the surface textures of the stones.
Comment by Lynda Schumacher — Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
The two year interlude certainly isn’t showing through the quality of the painting. I don’t know which is more impressive . . . the variety and depth of the colors or the fact that you actually managed to balance those rocks
BTW, we officially have an apartment mouse out here. Please ship Marco. Thx
Comment by Alex — Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @ 1:28 am
Thanks for stopping by all! Holly, I remember from when I painted portraiture that the faces were very hard to do. All of those imprecise angles and areas to capture. I admire what you are doing with your work in oils.
Gwen, I would love to hear more about how you push yourself outside your comfort zone, if you are “comfortable” sharing that!
Lynda, you will get oil painting. LOL, you’ll stick with it and start with something easier than a blue jay feather! It is so different than drawing, isn’t it.
Alex, Marco is in a box. I fed-exed him overnight. So if he survives the shipping, maybe he will get your mouse. You know, he’s not really a very good mouser, but he’s a great party animal. He’ll love Purdue. And BTW, used chewing gum makes the rocks balance as high as I want!
Comment by Debbi — Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @ 11:19 am
Are you kidding? Used chewing gum? You are serious, aren’t you? Wow, I just don’t THINK of these things!
Comment by Lynda Schumacher — Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Well, then how about you add a few Trident wrappers down by the base of the rock statue? That would truly complete the painting.
Comment by Alex — Wednesday, November 11, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
Lynda, do you really think I’m serious?????? C’mon, would I (moi!) use tacky chewing gum? So far I haven’t used anything to balance them rocks, but chewing gum would work as well as the tacky poster stuff we use to clean up the cp dust, but would probably stick to the rocks, now that I think about it more.
Alex, you continue to inspire me, both with how you live your own life and your insights on my artwork. Why didn’t I think of trident wrappers to compliment the stones? What a perfect man-made ephemeral, and trashy, touch to balance the weighty permanence of the surf-pummeled stones. Thanks!
Comment by Debbi — Thursday, November 12, 2009 @ 7:25 am
Love your artwork. The rocks painting really rocks!!!!
Comment by Pin Tan — Friday, November 13, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
Nice job with the oils. To me the rocks seem like they are dancing, I feel them flowing! I’m a little behind on blogging so I’m just catching up today ….
Comment by Kendra — Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 6:26 pm