Monday, March 31, 2014

Bowl of Limes on Pink

A clear glass bowl of limes on a pink tabletop.  Bright top light created shadow ripples on the pink tabletop.  I like the dark raspberry shadow.
On my ETSY store

Friday, March 28, 2014

Two Tangerines with Leaves on Pink


Another exploration of deep shadows and top lighting. This time it's a brightly lit pair of tangerines with leaves and stems still attached.  I threw a shadow across the back of the still life setup to create drama and simplify the composition.
On my Etsy store

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Glass Bowl of Tangerines on Pink

Another bowl of tangerines or clementines, this time with the light on the side and a lovely purple shadow on a pink tabletop.
On my Etsy Store

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Yellow Green Grapes on Teal with Purple

I put these yellow green grapes on a piece of glass on top of a piece of greenish paper on my tabletop.  This gave me interesting reflections as well as dark shadows.  I used a cardboard shield to throw a dark shadow across the back of my still life.  And I trimmed the cluster of grapes to make the shape of the cluster more interesting.  And then I ate the trimmed grapes. 
On my Etsy Store

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Green Grapes, Glass Reflections on Lavender

When I paint grapes, I do a bit of trimming with a pair of scissors in the clusters of grapes so that I have "holes" to paint.  These empty spaces add interest and give the viewer a path into the middle of the action.  I put a piece of clear glass on top a piece of lavender paper for the tabletop.  And I used a cardboard shield with my lamp to throw a dark shadow across the back of the set up.
 On my ETSY store

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Blood Orange Slices

These blood oranges have a brownish red color.  Not as pink as a ruby red grapefruit.  The entire tabletop was white, but I dropped the value lower so that I would have enough contrast to paint the light struck areas. 

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Top Lit Limes in a Silver Bowl

Another exploration of dramatic lighting and deep shadows.  The limes are top lit, the tabletop is lavender and a small orange reflection from an unseen object adds contrast and drama.  I especially like the shape of the reflection of the cast shadow on the underside of the bowl.
On my Etsy Store

Monday, March 17, 2014

Yakima View II

A scene painted from photos I took near Yakima Washington.  The flat valleys are irrigated and intensely farmed and the surrounding hills are dry and bare.  The hillsides turn blue and purple in the bright sunshine. 
On my ETSY store

Friday, March 14, 2014

Silver Cup Three Slices of Lime

More deep shadows and bright top light.  The reflections on the silver cup were fun to paint and keep simple.  The combination of gray with pale pastel pink is very attractive. 
See on my ETSY store

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Lime, Lime Slices and SilverBowl

I'm experimenting with deep shadows and top lighting.  I like the way the silver bowl melts into the shadows. 6" x 6"
On my Etsy store.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Glass Bowl with Clementines

The lighting is directly above these small tangerines, giving strong shadows and bright highlights.  The bowl was hard to paint because  both sides were visible.  I kept going from side to side; trim a little here, even it up on the other side, add some more, take more off. Sometimes when I have a problem I will make a paper pattern, fold it in two and work on it until it is symmetrical and then unfold it and trace it back on to the painting.
On my ETSY store.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Rose Fence

A view from Vashon Island.  I pass by this fence on my trips to and from town.  Most people plant flowers by their house, but this thoughtful landowner planted roses on his fence by the roadside for everyone who passes by to enjoy.  I am always thrilled in the spring when the first roses start to bloom.  Painted from photos I took on location. 
8" x 10" acrylic on panel
On my ETSY store.