Still Life in Cobra Oils

Still Life in Cobra Oils 8x8

It has been a while since my last post.  Some health hiccups have gotten in the way and slowed me down somewhat.  Although I have been painting, I've not been at my easel as regularly as I'd have liked. Happily, my larger gallery paintings have been doing well, but my smaller "daily" paintings have been few and far between.



This 8x8 still life on gessoboard is one of the first I have painted with Royal Talens Cobra brand water-miscible oils. These rich buttery oils are a great alternative for painters who, like me, want to avoid solvents. In the past, I had  tried other w-m paints and found their consistency imperfect.  Often rather dry and stiff, they required medium to increase the flow.  The Cobra paints, however, very closely resemble conventional oils right from the tube.  I still love my acrylics, but it's so nice to have a slower-drying option.

The subject is one I have painted several times, in both oil and acrylic paint.  All previous incarnations have been sold, however, and I wanted one for myself -- this is the result.

Fruit and Brass

Fruit and Brass 16 x 20 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

This 16 x 20 acrylic painting is larger than many of my still life pieces, but I did enjoy having a bit more elbow room. There is a bit of glare on the lower left of this final photo.  The shots of the painting in progress show this section to greater advantage. It's also evident as the painting progresses whether I was working in daylight or evening/artificial light.

Apples and Bowls

Apples and Bowls 8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas ON HOLD

As I recover from cataract surgery, I've not done many small paintings. I've been slowly finishing up some larger pieces for galleries, charity shows and such. This is a re-post of one of my early DPW pieces. Those who follow my blog will likely find it familiar, but for others it might be fresh. In any case, thanks to everyone who gives it a look!

Apples with Brown Jug and friends

Apples with Brown Jug 16 x20 acrylic on stretched canvas NFS

 

I'm very pleased that three of my still life paintings have been selected as part of  "ART YOU CAN SINK YOUR TEETH INTO"  (September 30 to October 15) at Martins Gallery, Bracebridge. This toothsome show will be part of the third annual  "What's Cooking," a  smorgasbord of food and entertainment-related events. For two weeks a variety of local venues will serve up a packed schedule of cooking, tasting, and entertaining experiences that feature celebrity chefs and foodie notables. 

The 16 x 20 acrylic, Apples with Brown Jug, will be accompanied by two previously posted 8 x 8 acrylics, Celebrating Oranges and Too Big for the Bowl.

 

Celebrating Oranges 8 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas AVAILABLE

Too Big for the Bowl 8 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas  SOLD

Demo in Acrylics

Demo at Muskoka Arts & Crafts Spring Show 8 x 10 acrylic on gessoboard

This little painting is the demo I did at the 39th Annual Muskoka Arts and Crafts Spring Members' show held this past weekend. The show features hundreds of pieces of artwork and runs from Friday evening through Sunday night. It was great fun and I was thrilled when my three acrylic still life paintings received the show's penultimate award for Best Use of Media. 

I often do a demo at the show. It's very informal, and really involves painting between chats and QandA with folks who attend the show. Usually it's a three-hour session of painting/chatting, but this year  -- to my dismay -- I accidentally left home with everything EXCEPT my paints! Fortunately, I'm married to a treasure of a husband who dashed home again to retrieve my paintbox. Here are some photos, including some shots of the little painting in progress.

Fruit and Bowl

Fruit and Bowl 8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas

This is water-miscible oils on stretched canvas. I've not used my oils in a while, but lately had a hankering for that soft, juicy texture. The subject is a familiar favorite, but what I painted was beside the point. It was the medium not the message that concerned me. I wanted to 'play' with oils for a change.

I paint a lot in acrylics, and there's so much about them that I like. Clean up is quick and easy, no solvents needed, and layers can be added in minutes. Even painting white over black is no problem. I use heavy body acrylics, and keeping them from drying on the palette can be a battle. I get focused on the painting and forget to "spritz" with my spray bottle. The stay-wet palettes don't work for me. In spite of my efforts to get just the right degree of moisture, my paints soon become too fluid.

So, every so often I long for the buttery richness, and slower-drying blendability of oil paints. But since I'm spoiled by the easy clean up of acrylics, I reach for my water-miscible oils.

Trio Plus Quartet

Trio Plus Quartet 10 x 10 acrylic on canvas  SOLD

This is a demo I painted during one of our local art guild's group shows. We find it's a great feature to have various artists show how their work is created, and I really enjoy chatting with folks who attend. Happily, this little painting also found a home.

Snack In Progress

Snack In Progress 10 x 10 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

Crisp, juicy apples being enjoyed as a snack. What could be better?
This acrylic painting is on 2.5 inch deep gallery-wrapped canvas.  It's already framed in a contemporary pale wood float frame as shown here --

Apples and Bowls

Apples and Bowls 8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas  ON HOLD

I know. Apples, apples, apples, but what still life painter can resist them? These bowls and apples shared such a wonderful color harmony that I felt they belonged together. I find the image very serene.

Quarterly Report

Quarterly Report 6 x 6 acrylic on stretched canvas

Autumn is apple season and these crispy quarters are reporting for duty. M-mm, love that juicy crunch!

How D'Ya Like Them Apples?

How D'Ya Like Them Apples? 8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Thanks to a miserable summer cold, I've been away from my easel for what seems like ages. Just so I'm not totally forgotten, I'm posting a little still life that sold from a gallery. Hope to be back in 'real time' soon!

Green Trio

Green Trio 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas  SOLD

This is a small demo painting. One of many of my still life pieces that features a favorite brass bowl.

Easy Being Green

Easy Being Green  8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

A trio of green apples just takin' it easy next to a small brass bowl.

Crisp

Crisp 8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Two of my favorite subjects for a simple still life: some crisp apples and my little brass pot.  This time it's a bold and bright interpretation in acrylic on canvas.

Apples and Jug

Apples and Jug  16 x 20 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

At 16" x 20" this is one of my larger still life paintings. The brown pottery jug is a favorite. It has a simple, satisfyingly-balanced form. It also brings a warm earthy touch that contrasts with the jewel-tones of the apples and grapes.

Bountiful

Bountiful 9 x 12 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Another classical still life, this time with a dark background. Crisp apples, purple grapes, and a brass bowl comprise a bounty of color and texture. This 9x12 acrylic on canvas is already framed in a contemporary natural wood floater frame. 

Juicy and Crisp

Juicy and Crisp 11 x 14 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Crisp apples, sweet grapes, and a shiny brass pot make up this traditional arrangement. This 11" x 14" acrylic painting is on 1.5" gallery-wrap canvas, painted on the sides.  It may be hung with or without a frame.

As always, due to the variation in viewing screen settings, actual colors may differ slightly.

Crisp & Juicy

Crisp and Juicy 8 x 8 acrylic on gessoboard  SOLD

Yesterday I became a member of the Daily Paintworks online gallery of artists.  It not only offers me a great way to showcase my paintings to a whole new audience, but also links me to a community of wonderfully diverse and accomplished artists. It's a site that I've been monitoring and enjoying for many months.  I've made use of some of the mini-tutorials called "artbytes," and followed the blogs of some of the artists whose paintings delight and inspire me.  Finally, I've taken the leap and joined.

Crisp & Juicy is my second entry.  It's 8 x 8 acrylic on gessobord and is for sale on Daily Paintworks.

As always, due to the variation in viewing screen settings, actual colors may differ slightly.