Kiwi Slices on Red Rimmed Plate 6"x 6"

I was trying again to use the view finder drawing method.  Got a little better at it but somehow the forground kiwis grew and got closer to the plate than reality.  Many things to work on here. I didn't see the kiwi reflection in the plate when I set it up but now that is my favorite part of it--and was probably the easiest. 

Delta Ponds Jan. 6"x 6"

Yesterday was sunny and 42* so I made a quick decision to go try painting with the plein air group.  I am happy with how this came out altho, as Don pointed out, the reflections should be lighter.  Also the green ground in the background should be lighter.  I'll see if I can catch more of that stuff next time.  It was great to be outside.

Grapefruit Sections 6"x 6"

This was easier than eggs but I still struggled with it.  I think it would have been better if I hadn't cut the upper grapefruit off so much.  I love the color of the shadow sides of the whites of citrus rinds.

Bad Eggs 6"x 6"

This was my first still life attempt using methods I learned at Carol's workshop.  Drawing with the view finder is a very difficult skill for me to pick up.  I want to be able to do it but wonder if my brain is agile enough.  I'll keep trying for a while.  I think eggs are a little too difficult at this point and will try easier stuff.  I scraped them off.

Landscape from Don's Workshop 8"x 10"

A local painter in the Lane County Plein Air group, Don Howard, gave us a 2 day workshop this last weekend.  He gave us lots of information and techniques that he has picked up through the many workshops he has taken.  I really learned a lot and look forward to trying his many suggestions in the field.
He did a demo of this landscape and then we were to attempt to copy what he had done.  The particular things we were focusing on in this one were the sky gradation, reflections in water and blocking in, particularly the trees.  First with a dark color, then put some very light on the sunny side, then using a brush, pulling that light color into the body of the tree.

Egg in a Glass Bowl 6"x 6"

I did this one on Friday, racing to be finished before the afternoon talk on marketing, camera work etc.  Once again Carol was extremely generous with all the knowledge she has gleaned.
I stayed on a few days longer in San Antonio to visit with the friend who put me up during the workshop.  I had a couple days to sort out some affairs for my father, then Saturday and Sunday took a workshop from Don Howard with our local plein air group.  I'll post a painting from that tomorrow.  Life's been moving a little too fast lately.

Tomatoes with HEB Snack Cups 6"x 6"

This is my favorite of the paintings I did at the workshop.  The drawing of the square cups was going so badly that I thought I should probably scrape it off.  Carol said to keep going and it did sort itself out pretty well. I was trying Gessoboard which I've had trouble with before.  It seemed managable and I'll probably try it again.

Three Strawberries 6"x 6"

Although this wasn't really timed we were fighting against the clock, trying to finish by closing time.

10 Minute Apples 6" X 6"

I attended Carol Marine's workshop in San Antonio.  She is a wonderful teacher, extremely generous with her information.  We did value studies first, then lots of 10 minute apples.  I managed to almost finish the 4th one here but I was timing myself after most of the group had gone to lunch.  It was probably more like 11 minutes.

Photo for Blue Plate Special

Here is the plate as it really is.

Blue Plate Special 6" x 6"

I did this for the DPW Challenge about changing the color of the object in your painting.  The only thing I changed was to make the rim of the plate blue instead of maroon.  I would like to have changed something else but just didn't have the stamina to to stick a couple cups in there.  Maybe I'll try again sometime.  Am heading off to Texas on Sunday for Carol's workshop and to spend time with a dear, old friend so this is the last painting for a while.