This week's painting in progress

I've lately been inspired by the great models posing in Joe Peller's evening painting class. The model this week has a Polynesian flair. She seems to enjoy posing for the class too. She's definitely getting into all the free wine available at our end of the year class parties. A happy model makes for a good painting, I always think.

Next month Joe will be holding an outdoor painting class in Central Park and I was lucky enough to get in! His classes are always crowded so this should be good.

I could kick myself though, I chose a 9x12 canvas and its way too small. I'm having to use Barbie brushes for the face. The face is about the size of my thumb. I'll have to buy Barbie brushes to finish it.

Another study of reflections

Some more kitchen utensils were calling to me to paint them. I wanted to include more cooling greens and greys to counterbalance the warm reds. All in all, a good, tough exercise.

25 minute study, Oil on 5"x7" panel

New Beginnings

Here starts my challenge of painting one painting each day. I will spend no more than 25 minutes on a painting and will post one each day to my blog. They will be small - 5x7.

What do i want to get out of it? They say there's nothing like doing something a lot to get better at it and I like to paint. I miss it. I get grumpy when I go without painting for too long.

Painting Nr. 1 is a study of reflections using some items I had around the house. I can tell my mixing bowl is going to figure prominently in future paintings. I just love the wonderful reflections it gives off.

My setup is a 5x7 pochade box from Guerilla Painter that I can sit on my living room table. Throwing out my TV gave me a wonderful spot to stage my still lifes - the TV stand - and with an adjustable reading light and two stand lamps, I am pleased so far with the lighting possibilities I can produce. I'm sure as time goes by, my setup and manner of working will evolve and I look forward to seeing how it will.