MY NEXT PAINTING

First Plein Air Of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:11:00 +0000

Spring Chores Start, oil on hardboard, 8x10, 2013.
$250 -email me for purchase

Before I forget, let me post my very first plein air of the 'warm' Spring season. This was painted a couple of weeks ago, on that first, finally nice day here in MN. This is my neighbors' neat old metal wheelbarrow, pulled out for duty, next to the straw and thatch of our backyard wetland. I like painting these humble tools, and I thought of the Russian impressionists with their similar subject matter. I tried to paint like them too, with the free and textured brushstrokes, that the background called for.

Spilled Strawberries, 5x7

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:09:00 +0000

Spilled Strawberries, oil on linen panel, 5x7, 2013.
bid on Ebay

Nothing like family matters to get you off track about posting, not to mention painting! But here's a small still life to bring me back to the old routine; so many paintings in progress to finish.

My Website, Judy Palermo Fine Art

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:48:00 +0000

Rita Ponders The World, 16x20, oil on canvas, 2007.

Finally, I have a Big Girl Website, www.judypalermo.com , where I have my paintings as images as gallery views. So you can see my works, without all the doubting chatter you can get here on the blog. I've got a link to the blog on there as well, so I feel organized for once! I've posted here one of my VERY early paintings, because I have the same look on my face when I work on updates to my website. But it's a start!

Paint Shapes, Not Things- Night Strawberries, 6x6

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:26:00 +0000

Night Strawberries, 6x6, oil on canvas panel, 2013.

A good way to focus on abstract shapes, and not the actual still life subject, I thought would be to zoom in close. That way you can't see outlines, just the dark ins and outs, the gnarly curls of the strawberry tops, and little seed sparks. I didn't sit any closer than usual to the still life setup, I just cropped the sketch on the canvas, and went from there. I schmeared on thick paint with my palette knife for the carton, and shaped it really quick and loose with my brush- way fun!

Kitchen Tablescape

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 21:27:00 +0000

Kitchen Tablescape, oil on linen panel, 5x7, 2013.

How oddly this painting developed, what I thought would be loose got tight and touchy, what I expected to be tight was nice and loosely painted. I make small paintings mainly to work on some specific technical or modeling problem. That way I can focus on it, finish it, and move on soon. To improve it's important to get onto the next painting!

Early Spring Thaw, Plein Air

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:48:00 +0000

Early Spring Thaw, oil on linen board, 5x7, 2013.

I hope this photo shows the little bits of warm color in the snow and grass; it's subtle but I'm very happy with it.

Come On Spring- Play Ball!

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:35:00 +0000

Baseball Mitt-Come on Spring, 8x10 oil on canvas, 2013. sold

It's Springtime, come on already, get warm! It's time for outdoor fun! Painted from life, this is a pro level Wilson A2000, my husband's old glove.

A Pleasant Plein Air Time

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:19:00 +0000

The Gopher Bar in St.Paul WIP, 9x12, oil on canvas panel.

There were some precious hours in between the end of my workday, and the start of an evening Outdoor Painters of MN meeting, of which I am one of the officers. I had to use the time well, and do some plein air. This old, weathered red building on a corner of 7th St. is one that I have always noticed and loved. When I first started painting, I always told myself I must paint it. I happen to park nearby, so I got out my homemade pochade contraption, was nervous but got quickly into painting.
Most people just passed by, which was perfect, but the few folks stopping to talk were very nice. Two guys blasted me with cigarette smoke while they complimented me, a bunch of little kids said how 'Great!!' it was, that maybe I look like an artist! They were way cute, but I swear they hardly gave the painting a glance.
Then a fellow came out of the bar for a smoke break, with a white cap and long white apron. Wow, I wished I had a camera, so I could put his image in later. But he came over to look at the painting, and we chatted a bit, then he said he's going to buy it! It turns out he is the owner of the storied Gopher Bar, and George and I shook hands. What a nice experience; now I don't know if the sale will definitely happen, there's still lots of work left to do. But it's so nice that the first impression is a favorable one. Plein air can be nerve-wracking that way.
I quickly roughed in one of the cigarette guys heading into the bar, gregarious and ready for fun, that's the feeling I'll aim for. So far there's a little over 2 hours painting time in this, that's fast for me. I'll have to plan my days so I can finish painting this in the same spot, same hour every time.

Bright Fishing Day, 5x7

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Bright Fishing Day, 5x7, oil on linen panel, 2013. sold

I think we are all tired of the winter; here's a scene inspired by a friend's 20 year-old photo.

Sketching on the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:26:00 +0000

Dominican Republic Sketches, 6x8 mechanical pencil on Strathmore Drawing medium pad, 2013.

Just some pencil sketches, under a thatched cabana on the beach, relaxing but still practicing.

Cake From Daube's

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:39:00 +0000

Cake From Daube's, oil on canvas panel, 6x6, 2013.
available at my Etsy Store

A lovely slice of cake, from Daube's Bakery in Rochester, Minnesota.

Another Airplane Sketch, Pen

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Airplane Sketch, 3.5 x 5.5, Derwent Sketchbook, typical pen, 2013.

Here's another airplane sketch from my recent trip. Using a pen keeps the book page neat and unsmudged, and makes you aware of every mark you make.

Airplane Sketch 2013, A New Resolve

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:54:00 +0000

Airplane Sketch, Derwent Sketchbook, 3.5 x 5.5, typical mechanical pencil, 02/2013.

An interesting face from a magazine, we must always practice drawing any place we can.
A family tragedy has altered our recent leisure plans, and there is much sadness in life now. The loss is permanent, and the grieving is fresh. Why do we fear and fret when we make our art, and worry about others' opinions? If everyday we are doing the best we can, and sincerely working hard, we should know we will improve. That's the only important thing, to grow and appreciate all our days, which are always too short.

There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to
come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all. - Hamlet, Act V.

This quote, from one of my favorite passages, came to mind. It really doesn't fit how I feel, because it alludes to some kind of fate, that I don't really agree exists. But it does eloquently state that it doesn't matter anyway, because all we can do is act, prepare, and be ready, as best we can. The conclusion is a promising outlook towards life.

Cut Tomato, 5x7

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 02:37:00 +0000

Cut Tomato, oil on canvas panel, 5x7. 2013.

Back to still life, northern window light, painted from life.

Wetland Coyote, 2nd Try, Trying to See, and Weepy Self -Critique!

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Wetland Coyote 2, oil on paper, 9x12, 2013.

Here's another try at this scene; it was not 10 minutes after my previous post, that I saw all the problems with the first sketch. Here it is again, so it's easier to follow:

-So washed out, so much white, in this first one! It was indeed a overcast morning, all that dull white snow, but you've got to make a painting that works, no matter what.
-Even though it was a sketch, I spent too much time on all that tangle of branches, modeling them a bit, changing colors. But I saw it didn't add anything to the scene- just a random abstract jumble of brushstrokes would have done the job, probably better.
-The two trees in the mid-ground are too much alike, and the one on the right doesn't look closer.

In the newest painting on top, I still want to convey an overcast day, but with some interesting values and color. That phrase 'Paint what you see' really is a loaded rule, when you are in front of a dull, grey day. Even though there are no sun and shadow details, there is a brightness out there, even if muted. I've read that you have to use paint to replicate the light you want to convey, but paint doesn't work the same. You have to paint the relationships amongst the colors, not just the single color. I hope I'm starting to understand what that means. It's an even quicker sketch, but in some ways it's better, I wonder if you think so too? Oh I forgot to put some snow on the branches, sorry about that.

Wetland Coyote, 9x12

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:29:00 +0000

Wetland Coyote Sketch, 9x12, oil on paper, 2013.
This morning I looked out the window, and saw all that complicated thicket of cottonwood trees, under that raw overcast sky, all that snow- can I make something out of that? I tried for a foreground, middle and distant plane. In the distance uphill, there's a slightly brighter open field, where last week I saw a coyote visiting, so I put him in this sketch. Not a good photo, there's a lot more nuanced color there, and I really liked some of the thick brushwork in this.

Practice, Practice-Tree study

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 01:15:00 +0000

Tree Study, 9x12, oil on paper, 2013.
Fitting in some quick practice; looking out my patio door at this interesting tree. The composition's not much, but I worked on value, and a sense of distance. It came out OK I guess, but I'm really tired of painting overcast weather. But I know I will learn from it!

Quick Acrylic Sketches, 6x9 on paper

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:22:00 +0000

Winter Shadows, acrylic on paper, 6x9, 2013.

Winter Shadows 2, acrylic on paper, 6x9, 2013.

Reading Marc Hanson's post about acrylic paints made me pull out the free samples I received from Chroma Interactive Atelier. My colors were pthalo blue, yellow ochre, and pyyrole red. I didn't care too much about the hue, for these really quick sketches I mainly worry about value.
Maybe I'm too new an oil painter to be switching up, but the feel (and smell) of the paints were too plasticky, and after a short bit they kept pulling on my brush. Plus the titanium white seemed weaker, I had to use a lot while mixing. The paint sits up well though, for some nice texture. I'm going on a tropical trip soon, and want to brave plein air there. It sure would be nice to have paintings dry quickly for transport, but I'm wondering if I should just stick with oils. Maybe the water-mixable oils dry faster?
These were painted quickly, looking out my window (it's 9F out there!)

Wintergreen Life Saver

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:36:00 +0000

Wint-O-Green Life Saver, 5x7, oil on oil-primed canvas panel, 2013.

Finally getting around to posting; every year we host a large Super Bowl party, the day after that we began two bath remodels, then I got a bit under the weather. But things are settling down finally. Here is a nifty little item I've been meaning to paint for awhile, a pristine wintergreen life saver- love the cellophane wrapper, and I think the name is so uplifting and positive! I placed it on my vintage Fiestaware platter, the perfect background color for this refreshing treat.

Peeled Clementine, 5x7

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:33:00 +0000

Peeled Clementine, 5x7, oil on linen panel, 2013. sold

Sweet and juicy, and I painted loosely, for the most part. I will try to take another photo that doesn't have any glare, sorry.

200th Post- What do I want to paint?

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:48:00 +0000

Saturday Morning WIP, oil on canvas, 8x10, 2013.

I see this is my 200th post, is that a milestone? It's probably not a lot for many painters, but that combined with it being a New Year, makes me contemplative. For quite awhile now I've been a proper student, painting from life, setting up still life with light from the northern window. I go outside to work plein air. All instructive and fun, but what am I drawn to, that I really want to paint? You can lose track of that, with all the studying.
I've always loved looking at classic paintings of children, figurative scenes with a moment in life captured. Mary Cassatt, lots of the Dutch painters, William Hogarth etc. Still I am deeply moved when I discover a contemporary work with a child as subject. But that entails working from photographs and quick observed sketches, otherwise it would be quite impractical. I have nothing against photo reference, but painting from life is so highly recommended for learning it's hard to know when it's 'safe' to start using them. Don't get me wrong, I've liked every subject I've painted, else I would not have been motivated. But it's time to mix figurative scenes in my regular work- I'm sure it all adds up to improvement.
So here begins a memory I've had for years, those warm Saturday mornings when our young family was all together, starting the day. Don't get me started on my kids! This is from a combination of photos and life; I'm painting the view from the living room to the dining room from direct observation.
My main MAJOR error is that this is an 8x10, which means the kids' faces are about 1 inch high! It's been murder trying to get a likeness so small, and getting decent brush and paint control. I hardly have brushes small enough to fit in the proper shapes. I must NEVER make this mistake again. Otherwise I am having a satisfying time. I see that the toddler's hand is too large- I fixed it after I took the shot, not a biggie.

Below is more of a close-up, and I hope soon to post the finished result.

7:50 AM This Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:34:00 +0000

Sunday 7:50 AM, oil on canvas panel, 5x7, 2013.

I looked out the window and saw these amazing morning colors; 7:50 is not that early, but it still stays dark for a long time. I got out, took some quick color notes, grabbed the Sunday paper, and painted as quick as I could. The light was different in ten minutes.

Rich Wetlands

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 03:37:00 +0000

Rich Wetlands Sketch, oil on canvas paper, 6x8, 2013.
Early today I looked out and it was so dreary and misty, yet the wetland grasses were such a rich orange color. I hope I captured that decently; I did see some pink grays, but maybe I overstated them, and now I'm thinking a complementary blue-orange scheme might have made for a more dramatic rendering. Still trying to figure it all out.

Plein Air baby steps

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:16:00 +0000

Plein Air, 10/08/2013, 1:30PM, 32F oil on oil-primed board, 8x10, 2013.

Getting out, mainly to try out my new backpack set-up; this was painted on a prairie nature trail in the Army Wildlife Outlook, not 5 minutes drive from home. It was nice and quiet, but windy and I was out in an exposed area. But despite my runny nose and freezing toes, it loosened me up about plein air, and I had fun. I may just do this again!

Here's my homemade Rube Goldberg set up, it's lightweight at least, and you can see the scene; good start I think, but after that I ran into trouble. Oh well, more brush mileage!

Bag of Clementines

noreply@blogger.com (Judy P.) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:47:00 +0000

Bag of Clementines, oil on canvas board, 5x7, 2013.
Trying to paint loose; there's so much texture on this little painting that it's hard to get a good shot of it. It's softer and richer colored in real life.