Ashley, the yorkie

I did this commission of this sweet little dog as a gift for my daughter in law and her sisters to give to their mom for Christmas. Ashley passed away a couple years ago at the ripe old age of 18.  She was a much loved little pet of Janie's and is dearly missed every day. 

Kelly at five years old

I've been wanting to do a painting of Jim's daughter, Kelly. I have the one of my son Freddie  (the gunslinger) when he was four. Just had to find the right one of Kelly so that we have a pair to hang together. Not sure if this is the "right" one but it was my favorite of the ones we have. 

Lots of work!

I've pretty neglectful of this blog lately. What with the bad weather and thanksgiving celebrations there has not been time to get outside and photo my work. I have painted almost daily and here are some of the pieces I have finished.

This a painting of a good friend, Bob.  About 90 minutes work, 9 by 12 on canvas. From a snap I took to work on skin tones for the next large work.

And here's the large work. 24 by 36 oil on canvas. This is a commission for the couple. The reference photo was night flash shot taken on Bourbon Street in New Orleans a few years ago. They love the photo pose but the actual photo was a nightmare to paint from. I learned that lesson!  All the shading you see is from my mind as it did not exist in the reference photo.  Yikes!  I'm pleased with how it turned out though and it gets a coat of retouch varnish today and then gets delivered as soon as it is dry. 

Another large work, 30 by 40 oil on gallery wrap canvas.  This one sits on our mantel as a part of our Asian decor. I started this last July and probably would have done a lot of things different if I was doing it today, given all I have learned from Anna Bain.  Still, I'm pleased with it and so is Jim.  

This is Kia, a model from my classes with Anna Bain.  This was done over two 3 hour classes.  16 by 20, oil on canvas mounted to board. 

These last two are of my beautiful granddaughter, Chandler. She sat for me during the thanksgiving holidays.  A really pretty model and great at holding a pose!  Thank you, Chan!

Rearranging the studio!

As you may have heard, we are iced-in here in Fort Worth. We got 3 to 4 inches of ice Thursday night here at our home in far north Fort Worth and I have used the time to paint....a lot!  But yesterday I also decided to re-purpose a chrome computer desk, since I don't really use it for that now that I use a laptop and iPad for my computing.   It is now a roll-around tabouret!  Yay!  I left the printer on the bottom shelf as that is the best out-of-the-way place for it.  One of the things I love about this new tabouret is that there are three levels for use. My brushes are on top in a carousel that I bought one time at michaels. The main level (which held the monitor) holds my 16 by 20 glass palette for when I stand to paint. The pull out portion that held the computer keyboard is perfect for the smaller glass palette, which stores in my masterson box with some cotton balls of clove oil to retard drying.  Perfect level for when I sit to paint. To the right of the tabouret is an Elfa drawer unit from container store. On top are various bottles and cans holding linseed oil, Gamsol, gesso, other mediums, etc.
In the drawers are paints, rags, gloves and other various and sundry items that I might want nearby.
To the left is another smaller Elfa unit that mostly holds sewing tools in its drawers, but the top is great for my computer, speakers and iPad. I use an older aluminum stanright easel, that once belonged to my husband when he was doing some painting.  At some point, I'd love to have a wooden easel with more versatility but that is definitely a want and not a need right now. Maybe that will come once I have sold some pieces and can buy it with those funds.  One of my favorite things about this new set-up is that it is all so mobile. I can move the tabouret and easel to any place that I choose to paint, even another room if need be.  Below are a couple pictures of my "new" studio!

Bill

I have been soliciting friends and neighbors to sit for me for oil sketches.  The first volunteers were some wonderful neighbors,  Bill and his wife, Billie. This is the painting that I did of Bill. It represents about 90 minutes from life and another 90 minutes from the photo I took at the session.  It is 14 x 11, oil on canvas. I took several photos of various poses so I have more references to try out if I choose to.  I had Billie to come this past week and I am working on her painting right now. 

Finished!

This one is finished!  Title is "Not Afoot For Long".  12 X 16, oil on canvas mounted on board.

What?!!! Another self portrait??!!

Yep, I've been at it again. Thought I'd try one with my glasses. I'm pretty pleased with it. Moving right along!

What's in a name?

My legal name is "Lydina". I have really only used it during my school years and of course for legal purposes. No one calls me  by that name unless they are a friend from school and maybe a few family members. I like that it is unusual but have spent my life spelling it for folks or telling them how to pronounce it. However, because it is so unusual, I have decided to use it for signing my work. No last name - just "Lydina". What do you think?

And another!

Another self portrait. Figure if I can get a likeness of myself most of the time I should be able to do it easier on someone else. So here's today's effort. 

Another stab at a self portrait

Geez, these things are HARD!!!!  But I'm not giving up. I think this is the best one so far, however not perfect. It is from a photo, alla prima with no prior drawing. Coming along on this journey.  Love the challenge!!

Partial self portraits

I've been working on some self portraits because that model is always available. Lol!!  However, I like parts of the paintings and don't like other parts. I wipe out areas and try again. These are two of the pieces I like somewhat. 

More on this one

Working lately on doing faces based on my studying with Anna as well as plodding along on the commission. Took a break from that yesterday and worked more on this one. Need to let it dry some before adding more. The bottoms of his jeans are frayed and I want to do that after the boot area has dried pretty well. I'm actually pretty pleased with this so far. 

Lots of practice

I've been doing a portrait sketch  each day since my session on Wednesday with Anna. A couple from photos and two from life with my ever patient husband as the model. I did this one today as he tried to watch the Cowboy game. He sat for three 20 minute sessions. Then I did about another 20 minutes using the photo reference I took before we started. I'm really pleased with this one. The others were only monochrome and this one I tried with color. I think it's pretty good. I know I need lots more work but I'm really happy with my progress so far. I will study with Anna again on October 17. Until then, lots of practice!

Shocked!!

I attended my first session with Anna today and I'm just thrilled with how this oil sketch turned out. This was 2 1/2 hours of work from a live model in a monochromatic scheme in order to focus  on values, shadows and highlights. I may or may not tweak it a bit more. I'm inclined to leave it as is. I was so apprehensive as to how it would be. I knew I could learn to do this but I never guessed that I could do this well on the first try. Wow!!!  And no drawing AT ALL!!!

Sooooo Excited!!!!!

I can hardly contain my excitement over the fact that I am about to start studying with Anna Bain, an amazing young artist who does classes in her home studio in Garland, Texas.  Visit her website at the link below and get ready to be wowed!!!

http://www.artworkbyannarose.com/

Need a break from faces!

As much as I love portrait work, I just need a break now and then. Decided to start this one of my son's lower legs, boots and spurs. Fun little project. 12 x18 oil

on mounted canvas. 

Commission Progress

I  have made progress on this large commission.  As you will see below, I have done quite alot of work on Bob.  I was working pretty diligently on his face and realized I need to stop and add color to his shirt so that I could get the skin color values correct.  The shirt is just blocked in and will get alot more work in terms of folds in the fabric.

I have not done much work on Barbara, just laying in some first layers.

"Gunslinger" completion

I'm calling him finished. This one I plan to frame and hang in my home 

Gunslinger continued

I really think this is close to completion. I want to do a bit more work on his hair but I don't see too many other things to work on 

My first commission!

I'm doing this portrait of one of my dearest friends and her hubby. It is 24 by 36 on stretched canvas. Got the drawing done this morning and will begin the painting process in the next couple days. 

Gunslinger....so far

More work on "the gunslinger"

Decided I'd give this a tongue-in-cheek title. Did some work on the shirt, shoe, hair and shorts.  Gotta decide on a background, although I do want it to be subtle. Having fun with this one. Sort of painting itself. Maybe because I'm so familiar with it after so many versions!  Lol!!

I know, I know.....

I've done paintings and drawings of this photo a lot...seems like a zillion times. Never the whole figure though and never in oil.  This is my son and has always been one of my favorites of him.  He just turned 45 years old. Yikes!  How did that happen!?   One of the things that has meaning now is the little toy pistol stuck in the waistband of his shorts. He grew up to be a law enforcement officer, you see. One of the good ones. I'm very proud of him. So this is the start. I'm trying to do a more painterly style with thicker paint and strokes. Taking a tiny break from the geisha at the moment. Time for that one to rest a bit.

Captivated!

That is the word that most expresses how I feel about this child's photo. I found it in a box of old family photos, just a tiny scrap of a photo that had been folded and quite damaged over the years, as though a parent or relative carried it around in a wallet. Sadly, I have no idea who it is. My mom would have known but she's been gone for a few years. I did a watercolor sketch of the photo some time back and did this oil version yesterday.  I don't even know the gender, could be either male or female. 

More work, more color

Added more color to the face,  hair and the gold Obi.  I'm really taking my time with this although I seem to be working on it daily.  I was pretty intimidated to do something this large but I have to say that I actually like working large.  Nice to work on an area and move to another area when the first area is a bit too wet to continue.  In the photo, she is sitting on a bench so that will probably get started soon.  Also have to work on the skin of her hand, which is resting on the bench.  Actually lots of areas to continue working on.  More to come!

Start of color for kimono

Did some work on the kimona today. I did some premixing of some of the color in different values. I don't want this to look too perfect. I'm going for a mottled, uneven color

Geisha progress

I have been nervous about starting the actual color on this. Today I jumped in. I worked on some colors and shadows on her face and did a little blocking in on the hair. I downloaded a video from the website of Peter Campbell. Only $6!!! I love his painterly style and thoroughly loved watching him work in this video. Very good work and very good explanation although I don't use his style completely at this point, I got a lot of pointers on colors for shadow areas. I'm pleased with how this is proceeding.

A big project!!

This one will take a while. It is a portrait of a geisha from a photo taken about 100 years ago. Much of our home decor is Asian so the plan is for this to go above our fireplace. It is a gallery wrap 30 by 40 canvas. My largest effort ever. I intend to take my time and will post shots as it progresses.

Freddie's spur

It occurred to me that I had never finished this painting. It was put away. I took it out yesterday and did some more work. First I oiled it out to even out the dull areas. Then added more paint to the background and subject. I think I have become more comfortable with using more paint now and I think it works well here. Need to sign it and let it dry. Finished! Yay!!

Etsy shop

Well, I seem to have art piling up and have come to the conclusion that I need to sell some of it.  Find a gallery?  Hmmm...not so easy when you do not have a "name" that equals fame.  I did list one on Ebay but I thought having an Etsy shop might be a good start also where I can list several pieces and see what happens.  So here's the link:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBrushandMe?ref=ss_profile

There are only three items there so far.  Prices are very reasonable.  When I get famous, I'll charge more! 

So if you take and peek and notice anything that you or one of your friends might like, be sure to pass it along to them or buy it yourself before the price goes up!  LOL!!!  More funds for more supplies is always welcome!




 

Guadalupe cliffs

I'm pretty pleased with this. I have decided to call it finished because I'm afraid of ruining it if I keep tweaking. The photo is compliments of my good friend, Sarah, who takes some awesome photos! Thanks, Sarah! She lives in the fabulous hill country of Texas where these kinds of scenes abound!

More work on Caswell

This painting has been sort of a pain and a joy.  Although I really like the photo and the challenge of getting the likeness correct, there are still things that bother me.  I have wiped out the eyes and re-painted them twice.  Still not sure about them.  The hair and beard need lots more attention and I really don't want to over work it.  It sits and stares at me for days at a time until I just have to fiddle with it some more!  LOL!!!

Something other than faces

I'm anxious to learn to paint more than faces, even though faces are my favorite subjects.  Sat down yesterday and did this little 8X10 of clouds over the ocean.  From my imagination.  Can't do that with faces so it's a nice switch to do something that doesn't have to look like someone in particular.  Oil on canvas panel.  Toned a neutral mid gray to start.  Not sure it is finished yet. 
It will live on the wall in the studio for a bit. Then I'll decide.

New start - great great grandfather

Caswell Purselley. Still working on the one of Sarah but I was anxious to get going on him too.
Oil on canvas.

Updates on a couple pieces

A little more work on the portrait of my great-great grandmother, Sarah Purselley.  My first time to do lace and I'm pretty pleased with it.  There is a small pin that holds the collar together but I have not put it in yet becauase there is not much to see about it in the photo.  Not sure how to handle that.  I also have more work to do on her hair.

I think I may call this horse finished.  It's at the point that I don't know hwat  else it may need and I don't want to just noodle with it and maybe ruin it.  Overall I'm pleased with how it came out.  I'm working on another one right now and will post it later.

Lime green

My favorite color of clothing is lime green, so since I'm working from a black and white photo I made my shirt lime. Need to do more work on the rest of the painting but I like it so far.

Another start!

I always have a few paintings going at one time. I don't have A.D.D. I just like working on several projects at once and with oil it's actually necessary. Otherwise I would just keep on fiddling until I messed it up if I didn't have another painting to turn to. When I was a child, we lived in San Diego for a couple years. It was during the Korean War and my dad was in the navy. I have a photo of me at the beach when I was probably 4 or 5 years old. I decided to see what I could do with it in oil. So here it is in progress.

Couple new starts

I've been busy painting! Yay!!!

This horse is an image from Wet Canvas and I love the way it is turning out. Seems all the things Mahto has been teaching me are finally sinking in and being easier for me to incorporate into my work. Whew!

The portrait is the very beginning of a painting of my great-great grandmother. I'm really happy with how it is shaping up. I think it may be my best attempt at "skin" so far.

At last some things to show!

Ok, so none of these are finished and none of them are masterpieces, but here are a few things I've been working on in oil.  I have really fallen in love with oil painting.  So forgiving, and thus I feel more like experimenting. Remember I just started painting in oil on March 20.

I've painted this fellow a few times in watercolor so I was anxious to do him in oils.  I have a few more tweeks to do but he is not far from finished.  A small bit of the work is Mahto's when he was showing me how to do things but it is largely my own work.  This is on a canvas panel.

Our granddaughter, Gavin, when she was about 18 months old (now 15 yrs old).  Again, not quite finished.  This is done on Arches oil paper, which I rather like for portraits.

One of Freddie's spurs.  I just started this one yesterday.  On canvas panel.  I've done several other works of these spurs, in charcoal, carbon pencil and watercolor.  I think this one may turn out pretty well.

Soooo... I've never painted an animal.  Drawn, yes.  Painted, no.  This is Belle, a beautiful bay that Freddie owned until a few months ago.  On canvas panel, not finished either. 

Something different for me.  Someone posted on Wet Canvas recently about his portrait method.  No drawing at all.  He begins with blurred versions of the photo and paints only the value masses.  I have NEVER even tried to paint a portrait with no drawing or marks for certain features.  But I was intrigued and gave it a try.  The likeness is not great but this is a first attempt at doing this.  I will definitely try it again.  On Arches paper.

Another work in progress, again on Arches paper.  I'm pretty pleased with the face but those braids might drive me to drink!  LOL!!!

That's it for today!  Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.  I'll try to get back to posting more regularly.