Peter Hobden's Painting Adventures

View from my Balcony

2011-09-04T14:51:00.000+02:00

This painting could be finished...
I am putting it aside for a while before deciding.
Below are the different stages of the painting.

The last session ...

Oil on canvas 73 x 54 cm

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... and a detail

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the 1st three sessions:

session 3

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Session 2

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Session 1

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and the study - oil on paper

Industrial Zone with Cement Factory - Second session

2011-08-22T18:14:00.001+02:00

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Industrial zone

2011-08-19T17:28:00.000+02:00

Oil sketch on canvas 70 x 50 cm

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Study for painting "View from my Balcony"

2011-08-11T18:32:00.000+02:00

oil on paper

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Study for seascape

2011-08-10T17:53:00.000+02:00

Oil on paper

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Self Portrait

2011-08-09T16:43:00.000+02:00

"Theres that Gap again!"

Oil on paper

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The continuing study of "Summertime II"

2011-08-08T18:12:00.002+02:00

Another study for "Summertime II"

2011-08-05T18:24:00.000+02:00

Previous study
Just the shirt on the back of the chair this time...

Study for a painting "Summertime II"

2011-08-04T17:22:00.000+02:00

Study for a painting "Sentinels"

2011-08-03T16:34:00.000+02:00

Oil on flipchart

(approx 50 x 30 cm)

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Little vineyard sunset.

2011-07-11T15:28:00.000+02:00

My latest painting. I'm painting a bit less often recently. I'm not really sure why... maybe I need a new approach - a feeling of discovery again. There seems to be a resistance or reluctance to paint sometimes.

As for this painting I am at a possible finish. I found a quote about finishing the other day which I find delightful:

"A painting is never finished - it simply stops in interesting places" - Paul Gardner

oil on canvas - 73 x 54 cm

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Previous stages :

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Bluesky Cinema

2011-06-06T21:22:00.000+02:00

50 x 60 cm - oil on canvas

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detail

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Fruit Stall - Pushing myself to paint

2011-04-29T18:05:00.000+02:00

I pretty much forced my self to start this painting, as I was getting a bit depressed at not finding a subject which motivated me to paint. I know it's not a good idea to let that kind of situation last, so I selected from among my "possibles" and just pushed myself to start.

Somewhat contrary to expectations it is turning out quite well and the motivation rises as I go on.

Just another illustration that you have to keep on turning up and do your stuff even if you have resistance through lack of motivation. The beginning can be a bit of a grind, but with luck, the impulses will wake up as you go.

Trust the process.

This is after my third session (day) in a row and is even advancing quite fast.

50x40 cm oil on canvas

session 3 -click image to see larger

session 2 -click image to see larger

session 1 -click image to see larger

Lush sunset - my current painting

2011-04-15T18:11:00.002+02:00

After my first two sessions on this painting, I am enjoying my self , it is a very tactile feeling painting to paint. It lends itself to letting go. Do check the the larger images by clicking, it's always worth it.

oil on canvas 50 x 40 cm

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a detail

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Medidation - the whole process

2011-04-13T18:30:00.000+02:00

Two more sessions on "Meditation" painting

2011-04-04T18:41:00.000+02:00

Two more sessions, going a bit thicker and dryer on the paint in the last (leftmost) one. I would like to finish off quite thick if I can manage it, it always feels a bit daunting on portraits.

click images to see larger

Self portrait "Meditation"

2011-03-28T18:14:00.000+02:00

Two short sessions on a self portrait I started painting last friday :

40 x 50 cm Oil on canvas

Click images to see larger

My painting today

2011-03-23T22:10:00.000+01:00

Another session on my Provencal copse with a couple of details. Mostly worked on the trees which need a little more work especially trunks and branches need to be more graceful.

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Painting over an old acrylic base

2011-03-22T18:29:00.001+01:00

Oils are luscious with higher pigment load... plus the experience gained since then...

50 x 40 cm

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Trust the process - dusk painting

2011-03-11T23:01:00.000+01:00

The painting is beginning to get somewhere. I am lingering on building up the colors little by little. Building up the light and building up the dark. I want it to to be a subdued explosion of color.
Not quite yet at that point but... trust the process.

80 x 60 cm

oil on canvas

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a detail

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Painting myself into a corner

2011-03-07T21:41:00.000+01:00

I have been painting myself into a corner, so to speak, with my "Tourist Posing" painting. My tension has been building over a few days. I have been feeling frustrated and confined by the subject.

I needed to to take some action to ease the stress.

Having recently sold a painting, that was missed by the household, an evening view out our back window - "Mermillod Sunset", I thought I might paint a similar painting.

So I jumbed on the idea and what a relief it is. It feels fine, I feel connected to the painting, and my stress has magically eased.

No doubt, the discipline of painting out of my comfort zone will be a plus somewhere down the road, but creating should also sometimes be jubilation, don't you think?

This time the canvas is larger than "Mermillod Sunset" , 80 x 60 cm, and if all goes well it will be hung possibly in our bedroom facing the bed.

This is the first time I start a painting with the intention of keeping it.

Here is the result so far after one session.

Mermillod Evening

oil on canvas 80 x 60 cm

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acrylic under-painting

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"Tourist Posing" Painting in progress

2011-02-28T17:44:00.000+01:00

Another painting in the tourist series, still in progress, also from Venice.
Here are four stages in the the progression.

People in a crowd - "Tourist trap" - painting in progress

2011-02-18T10:12:00.001+01:00

[click on images to see larger]

I have always been intrigued by people I do not know. I wonder who they are, how do they experience things? Probably there are similarities with my own experience, but what differences are there?

In an anonymous crowd, they tend to take on a distant disposition, and yet feeling anonymous, they are curiously open to our scrutiny.

My Curiosity is not agressive or invasive but rather tender and compassionate. Each one has their own story, their own cares and joys.

On a more technical note, I always try to depict them in the least detailed way possible and still evoke how I perceive their state of mind.

What is their relation to the where they are and what is their interaction with people nearby or sometimes simply their spacial connection to the whole scene.

In this particular scene, the light picks out one person and gives her focus giving a more interesting or dynamic feeling to the painting.

Grand Canal Night - video in 6 stages

2011-02-13T23:56:00.004+01:00

Playing around with my new video editor software : My latest painting in 6 stages with music

or View directly on YouTube

Grand Canal Night - Continuing

2011-02-08T22:31:00.001+01:00

Still working away at this one. I'm enjoying it. trying to bring out the glow as much as I can without adding too much detail.

...and a couple of details to take in the color better

Feature on Art Of Day

2011-02-08T13:32:00.000+01:00

I have the great pleasure to be featured on Art of Day, a website managed by artist James Day under the title "Expressionist Paintings of Geneva by Peter Hobden"

Click the link below the view the feature.

"Morning Crossing" resisting the finish

2011-02-04T23:24:00.000+01:00

I am getting close to the end with this one, but it is impudently offering some resistance (might as well blame it on the painting) so I am putting it aside for a while in order to minimize my frustration. When I get frustrated I start doubting and we don't want that do we?

55 x 38 cm - oil on canvas

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Morning Crossing - The story so far

2011-02-01T23:03:00.000+01:00

The painting so far in 4 stages:

55 x 38 cm Oil on canvas

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Side Canal - first blush

2011-01-25T18:46:00.000+01:00

First blush of color on my side canal.

oil on canvas 40 x 50 cm

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burnt umber & white under-sketch

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Grand Canal Night - in progress

2011-01-22T10:27:00.000+01:00

This is my latest painting - in progress.

The under sketch and first session with some color are spontaneous and dynamic. The results at this stage often give me a feeling of strength. Considering this, I often wonder to what extent I can leave it like this.

Sometimes I go too far in "cleaning it up", and though the resulting painting is not lacking in merit, It loses some of that rawness. I still need to go somewhat further but can I keeep this power?

The first color session

45 x 35 cm Oil

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The under sketch in burnt umber

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Sunshine Cinema

2011-01-11T18:32:00.000+01:00

This one is finished now. I am quite smitten by it for the moment. I make it one of my top favorites... until it is supplanted...

"Sunshine Cinema"

Oil on canvas 60 x 50 cm

[click image to see larger]

Finishing "Le Pont de la Machine"

2011-01-05T18:30:00.000+01:00

This one, I haven't touched for ages. I think I was afraid to finish it at the time, maybe feeling I was not up to it skill-wise. I worked on it this afternoon and I think maybe one more session needed.

Pont de la Machine

Oil on canvas 80 x 60 cm

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Night Café - Finished

2011-01-03T18:40:00.000+01:00

Oil on canvas 45 x 55 cm

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Detail

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Night Café - in progress

2010-12-29T22:29:00.000+01:00

The second painting I am working on still has a way to go. I'm happy with the general color light & texture, but I feel it needs some additional interest. To ponder...

45 x 55 cm

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detail

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Sunshine Cinema

2010-12-29T18:42:00.000+01:00

The first of the 2 paintings I'm working on is almost finished. A few details to tie up.

I'm happy with the feel of it, luscious blue/yellow/orange light and shade. A nice instance of life.

60 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

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detail

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Another session on two paintings - digging deep.

2010-12-27T18:22:00.000+01:00

I worked on both these paintings again today. I was nicely able to short circuit my "higher" brain functions today at the right times, and was digging deep. Well satisfied with how they are going. Still a way to go, but not too much, hopefully.

60 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

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38 x 45 cm - oil on canvas

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Two new paintings started

2010-12-23T18:20:00.000+01:00

The first painting (cinema) has had two sessions (not including the drawing) and the second has had one.
The secod painting, Night Café is the same subject as this drawing on my drawing blog

60 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

Session 2

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Session1

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Night Café

Oil on canvas - 38 x 45 cm

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The Hesitant Juggler - possible finish

2010-12-15T18:23:00.000+01:00

This is one painting where the result is approaching my vision of it. This is not always the case.

Finishing is a never ending subject in painting, at least in mine. Quite possibly a painting is never finished, or it could have several finishes.

I am, in any case, calling it finished. What do you think?

The Hesitant Juggler

Oil on canvas - 60 x 50 cm

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Detail1

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Detail2

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New smaller painting in the works

2010-12-13T18:01:00.000+01:00

Another smaller painting started. Hoping to finish it for the christmas market next weekend.

24 x 30 cm - oil on birch

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The Hesitant Juggler - a few sessions later

2010-12-09T23:04:00.001+01:00

I'm happy with where this is going so far. Teasing out that emotion.

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Detail

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The Hesitant Juggler - blocking in

2010-12-07T18:20:00.001+01:00

Started a new painting after I did a sketch from one of my photographs.
What pulled me is the expression of anxious uncertainty the juggler has. It was all an act of course, but I am painting as if the emotion was real.

60 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

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Picking up the Summer Market

2010-12-02T18:57:00.001+01:00

Changing paintings yet again, I resume with this one I had put aside last May. I was not happy with it at the time, but I was fairly sure I would have another round on it.

It still is a bit of a struggle, but the the time elapsed since I last worked on it does give a fresh perspective.

Marché, été

80 x 60 cm - oil on canvas

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#Artswap - 2

2010-12-01T18:25:00.001+01:00

In a previous post I showed the painting I was sending out for #artswap ( organized by David Pringle @dpringle on twitter). Details of Artswap on David Pringle's site.

I have now received my piece pictured below. It is by Ellen Belshin. Here is her blog entry ( @Puttinondaglitz on twitter).
It is titled "Urban Spires" and is in encaustic on birch panel 9" x 12".

Urban Spires by Ellen Belshin
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The back

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Sunny Street - some progress

2010-11-29T23:23:00.000+01:00

Sunny street - continuing

2010-11-26T19:23:00.000+01:00

Today I put aside my "Intruder!" painting and worked on my latest street scene. As ever, I try to keep the style of the spontaneous start. I stuck a list of reminders on the wall behind my easel to help. (see below)

70 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

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The list is from the book Fearless Creating by Eric Maisel

Intruder! - Raising my pulse.

2010-11-24T17:56:00.000+01:00

This painting is beginning to raise my pulse. It is really going where I had hoped, though I would be hard pressed to describe where that is! Maybe something about fixing the viewer with a suspicion of mystery. Of course, I feel very connected to the subject ;). It is always difficult to imagine what others feel looking at my paintings.

It is by no means finished but it already has the feeling I want.

canvas 55 x 45 cm

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Intruder! Painting in progress

2010-11-22T18:31:00.000+01:00

A new painting in progress. Two stages from this afternoon. Lavender undercoat and sketch in acrylic then color in oil.

This one has been in my head for a while.

Who is the intruder?

Canvas 55 x 45 cm

Stage one - undercaot and sketch

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Stage two - blocking in color

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#Artswap

2010-11-15T18:48:00.000+01:00

David Pringle (@dpringle on Twitter) has organized, for the second time, an exchange of artworks between artists. He collects names and addresses of participating artists and then randomly attributes destinations where each artist will send his work on the date set in advance. This time round the deadline for posting is 17th of November.

If you want to keep an eye out for a next round of artswap or follow the pictures of the art as he puts them up visit David Pringle's site

This is my contribution, we are asked not to reveal the destination. I have packed the painting and will post it this wednesday.

Front

30 x 25 cm oil on birch ply

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Back

Two small paintings and some self indulgence

2010-11-10T22:01:00.000+01:00

Whenever I get self-indulgent in my studio, for example, being unsatisfied with the extent of my success as a painter as I was for a while this afternoon, I have only to look up to the right of my easel to see this guy looking at me with, his attentive, intense gaze. No indulgence here but maybe a little compassion?

He tells me that I should re-focus on the present and get on with my painting: Trust the process.

And presently, that is what I do... after a while.

Here is the self-portrait on my website

What I was working on when these doubts struck was another smaller painting, another nocturne, though earlier in the day than the previous one I did last week:

[click image to see larger]

A bit later, to stimulate my motivation, I started yet another smaller painting which, this time, is in full daylight, and another season further south:

[click image to see larger]

New smaller painting - nocturne in progress

2010-11-05T18:38:00.000+01:00

I will be trying to do 8 or 10 new smaller paintings for mid-December, in time for the local Christmas market. It may be a bit ambitious, as I will want to continue with my "normal" paintings as well, but it's a target.

Here is the first new one, a nocturne, that will need one more session.
Some of the white spots are shiny paint but some are actual pinholes in the paint that I will have to fix..

30 x 24 cm on birch ply

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a detail

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Twitter art exhibit Norway

2010-10-29T21:59:00.003+02:00

David Sandum (@DavidSandumArt on Twitter) is organzing a charity exhibit and sale featuring works by twitter artists in his hometown library in Norway. ( #twitterartexhibit on Twitter )

Postcard size original artworks donated by artists on Twitter will be exhibited at the public library and proceeds from sales will go towards buying children's books for the library.

David's aim is to get at least 140 twitter artists participating.
Participation is still open so if you are interested and have a twitter profile :Details on the exhibit.

I have just finished my piece for the exhibit :

"On the Vine"

Oil on watercolor paper

Vineyard Sunset - Session 4

2010-10-26T19:12:00.000+02:00

Worked on the sky, beginning to fade from lilac to orange to red, and the vines were I was incited to put some slighly punch blue undertones.

[click to see larger]

detail

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Vineyard Sunset - Session 3

2010-10-25T18:22:00.000+02:00

Small progress in this painting. Continuing to sculpt the vines and glazing the sky :

Vineyard Sunset - another coat

2010-10-22T22:13:00.000+02:00

Another session on for this painting - working on vines in foreground and hills. The sky is virtually unchanged.
I have included an image of the previous session for side by side comparison.

Current state

Previous session

Vineyard sunset - new painting

2010-10-21T22:13:00.000+02:00

I started a new painting today, a vineyard landscape at sunset.

I painted the the canvas a peachy light orange as an under coat which is the dominant color of the sky. The foreground from mountains on down is too light , I am building up the darkness. The vines will be a rich dark with occasional gold/green/orange highlights on the leaves with some deep blues and purples in the darkest shadows. All this against a sky going from a light violet blue at top passing through a light subdued yellow to finish above the mountains in deeper orange. A few sparse streaky clouds will come out of the right sky towards the center.

Progress on Canal house

2010-10-20T18:29:00.000+02:00

Now the light values are really in, and as hoped the glow from the windows is really working.

Detail

Canal House - colors and values

2010-10-14T22:01:00.000+02:00

I laid dwon the basic colors and values on the canal house painting this afternoon. Still a bit young, but the feeling is there.

Two paintings in the works

2010-10-13T22:37:00.000+02:00

I am continuing to advance on this sunny street scene from my neighborhood but slowly. I'm building it up by feeling on the colors, after having drawn in the main features and relative tone values. The red under painting is still coming through quite stongly, but will become less dominant as the painting advances. While painting,I dwell on the persistent feeling of strong sun on the facades facing left and deep shade in those facing right. The mountain in the distance has it's gullies in deep shade as well.

50 x 70 cm oil on canvas

At the same time I felt a need to have more than one painting going to be able to switch when the steam runs out. I find it a good way to keep myself stimulated. I started a new canvas, drawing the features in charcoal, and after spraying a fixative laid down a few patches ogf color to get the feel. It is a house on a canal in the late evening with the facade and canal fairly dark and the interior lights glowing in the the windows of house.

A dark arch or tunnel enters the building at left, and a door gives access by way of steps to the canal at right. The facade is much too light for the moment, and when darkened should bring out the warm seductive glow coming from inside.

50 x 70 cm oil on canvas

Acrylics to oils 2007-2010, step by step painting

2010-10-11T00:34:00.002+02:00

Step by step video of my recently "refreshed" painting started in 2007 and finished a few days ago in oils. Link to the finished painting "Promenades Automne"

Street scene - painting in progress

2010-10-07T18:21:00.000+02:00

A small advance to this painting that was in the time lapse video of the previous post.

70 x 50 cm - oil on canvas

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A painting session

2010-10-06T22:40:00.000+02:00

This is a time lapse of this afternon's painting session. I set my camera to snap once a minute so the session must have been about 1 ½ hrs.

Another revival

2010-09-30T21:20:00.001+02:00

Here is another revisit to an old painting. It was originally painted in February 2008. I think my instincts were good but of course my technique was less able to translate my vision at the time. So rather than trash the painting, as the subject still seems good , I decided to revive it.

The original was painted in acrylic on canvas. The size is 60 x 80 cm. Nothing fundemental has changed but the play of light is much better now. I still haven't determined exactly how to best treat the patch at the end of the path yet.

The revival is in oils directly on top of the acrylic which I lighty sanded to roughen the surface and better hold the oils.

The revival is not quite finished yet but the comparison is already telling.

Before ---

After ----

Still going places

2010-09-26T18:16:00.000+02:00

Progress on the portrait. Managing to stay loose and rough while bringing out the volumes.

Detail

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60 x 80 cm

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Going places

2010-09-24T19:00:00.000+02:00

This painting is really going places, many of which I have not been to before ;) , which is excellent.
The background undercoat is exerting an influence on the development of the painting, which is also as it should be.

I am painting thinner to allow the undercoat to show through in places giving a texture and adding interest to the painting.

Painting after painting I am amazed at the unexpected ways that things develop. So far so good.

click image to see larger

Finishing the shout

2010-09-22T22:52:00.005+02:00

I have decided to finish my shout painting. You may remember that it had taken a fall and acquired a small tear in the canvas. I repared the canvas from the back with a small piece of canvas cut off the corner of another canvas and pasted it in with acylic medium. I still have to cover up the evidence in front.

That is the state it stayed in until now.

I am working mostly on the background, sky & sea, with a few tweaks in the face, but I like the rough look on the features.

(by all means) click on image to see larger

detail

(definitely worth a) click on image to see larger

Village in the clouds - small progress

2010-09-19T15:41:00.002+02:00

I have gone forward a little on this painting, continuing to sculpt the forms, not too sharply, to maintain the dreamy feel of the fog and rain. I added some touches of subdued reddish/purple in the shadows of the greenery.

click image to see larger

I have bee painting so far with fast drying alkyd oils, but I think I will finish in regular oils to achieve the hazy transitions on the borders of shapes. The alkyds become tacky fairly fast and if I come back an hour later they don't blend so well.

Mountain village in the rain - progress

2010-09-16T18:52:00.000+02:00

I also advanced this one a bit. I bluesed in the farther tree line and began sculpting the closer trees.

click on image to see larger

oil on canvas 40 x30 cm

Citroen 2CV - almost finished

2010-09-16T18:39:00.000+02:00

Oil on canvas 30 x 25 cm

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I thought it was finished, but I am not happy about the area around the roof of the car, which didn't get as much love as the rest-->

Two new paintings started

2010-09-15T22:43:00.000+02:00

I started two new paintings this week.
The first is a scene in a mountain village with low clouds hugging the mountains, and blurry impression with the orange roofs standing out sharply.

The second is of a red Citroen Deux Chevaux (2CV) , emblematic french car of the 20th century sitting in the shade of trees on a summer's day. It is of my "smaller painting" size though on canvas this time, not on wood.

Both paintings have had one session - one to two hours - each, and will take one or two more sessions to finish.

oil on canvas 40 x 30 cm

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oil on canvas 30 x 25 cm

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Grand Canal - waiting

2010-09-13T18:34:00.014+02:00

I don't quite have the courage to call this one finished yet. I've learned that it's best to put aside the painting for a few days when that happens. When I can look at it as a painting, rather than as a painting I am painting, I will be able to tell, probably.

Grand Canal

Oil on canvas 50 x 70 cm

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This type of painting is one I particularly like, where the details are suggested but plenty is left to be filled by the imagination of of the viewer.

Detail

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Grand Canal - raising my pulse

2010-09-08T18:34:00.000+02:00

Session 2
This one is really beginning to raise my pulse. The luscious blues with oranges and reds. Can I keep it with this freshness and yet cut out the buildings just a touch more?

Venice has been painted so many times before, but when you've been there, it almost commands you paint it.

oil on canvas 70 x 50 cm

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Detail

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Grand Canal - Session 1 - Up a few sizes

2010-09-07T18:34:00.000+02:00

I think I needed to do a bigger painting, judging by my enjoyment putting a first coat on this one. The physical difference is striking. Movements start at the shoulder instead of the wrist. There is a certain tension that builds up with smaller paintings.

Grand Canal - session 1

Oil on canvas 50 x 70 cm

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and a wide shot to see the size

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Third small painting finished - Walking in the rain

2010-09-07T18:15:00.001+02:00

Here is the last of the three small paintings finished. I think it's my preferred one of the three...
(link to painting)

Walking in the Rain

Oil on birch ply

30 x 20 cm

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detail

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3 small paintings - 2 finished

2010-09-06T18:52:00.001+02:00

Two of the three small paintings finished. Still a bit to do on the umbrella girl. I will check if I have appropriate frames, and then post them to my Smaller Paintings blog

click on image to see larger

details

Three small paintings - moving forward

2010-09-02T18:53:00.000+02:00

Moving these three paintings forward together.

click images to see larger

Three small paintings in the works

2010-08-31T18:27:00.000+02:00

I'm beginning to warm to this smaller paintings exercise.
Here are three in the works in various stages of advancement:

Walking in The Rain

Oil on board 20 x 30 cm

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Venice Boat

Oil on board 30 x 20 cm

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Climbing the Alley

Oil on board 30 x 24 cm

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Shady Bridge - An intimate relationship.

2010-08-26T18:31:00.000+02:00

Here is the finished painting "Shady Bridge" in my "smaller paintings" series. I had a very intimate relation with it while painting, which does not always happen, unfortunately. Sometimes it takes more digging and effort. Now I just have to find the "intimate" switch!
I managed to finish in two sessions. My speed is increasing for the small paintings.

click image to see larger

Next Smaller Painting Started

2010-08-25T19:41:00.000+02:00

I also started my next smaller painting today. I am temporarily calling it "Shady Bridge".

click image to see larger

Second Nocturne completed

2010-08-25T19:25:00.001+02:00

I have finished my second nocturne, the one that I felt was a bit static. I gently increased the contrast in some places, I planted some flowers in the fountain, and switched on the water.

It will duly also be pasted to my Smaller paintings blog.

click image to see larger

Nocturnes - progress

2010-08-24T22:11:00.000+02:00

The two nocturnes from the previous post have progressed.
The first one, The Night Tram, is finshed and posted on my Smaller Paintings blog .

The night square "Sainte-Croix, Nuit" could be finished, bit I find it a bit static. I will mull it over.

Tram, Nuit

Sainte-Croix, Nuit

Two nocturnes - paintings in process

2010-08-23T18:30:00.000+02:00

Continuing on my smaller paintings drive, here are two more paintings I am working on. They are both night scenes from my town. The first of the church and square illuminated is my local market square, and the second is my nearest tram stop. Both are on wood panels.
They should be finished by tomorrow evening, and I will then post them in my Smaller Paintings blog

Sainte-Croix, Nocturne

30 x 30 cm

click image to see larger

Tram nuit

25 x 25 cm

click image to see larger

Venice Canal - Finished

2010-08-20T22:08:00.001+02:00

So I worked on the painting another couple of hours. It's much better but I'm not entirely happy. That is also part of the point of doing smaller (faster) paintings: to hold back on excessive finishing. (it is also posted on my new Smaller Paintings blog)

Venice Canal (smaller painting)

2010-08-19T18:57:00.000+02:00

My second "smaller" painting. I am getting a bit faster at this. I went slightly larger this time ( 35 x 25 cm) still on board; this time it is birch ply.

I will decide if it is finished tomorrow.

click image to see larger

My first smaller painting finished

2010-08-18T22:41:00.001+02:00

So here is my first "smaller" painting finished. I waited for the first layer t dry, and went in with some emphasis in a few places. On the hole I am quite satisfied. Hopefully my speed of execution will improve. (I have already started the second - but more on that later)

The painting is 25 x 15 cm on ash ply (8mm thick).

click image to see larger

Going Smaller

2010-08-12T17:28:00.000+02:00

I have decided to try my hand at some smaller paintings. The aim is to shorten the painting time and hopefully sell them at a price well below what that of my larger paintings.

I bought an assortment of wood cut to size and have started the first painting. It is 25 x 15 cm on ash ply. (that's approximately 10" x 6" for Avoirdupois aficionados)

The first thing I discovered is that I'm not at all used to painting this small or this fast. Most likely I will improve over time, but its a different feeling. I'm used to holding my brush in my fist a lot, and therefore using arm and shoulder muscles to paint.

This first one is taking longer than I expected, but I should be able to finish it off fairly quickly once the paint I have put down is dry enough to flick on some emphasis.

When I start to get into the pace I will set up a blog for these.
If you click the image it should be about real size on the screen.

click image to see larger

Two books about the ups and downs of creativity

2010-08-10T22:53:00.001+02:00

Further to my thoughts in my previous post, Painting and confidence , on my painting session yesterday, there are two books that I warmly recommend to those who encounter pitfalls on the way to creating art:

Art & Fear by David Bayle and Ted Orland - A shortish book clear and to the point - which, at the very least, allows you to recognize yourself and be reassured that you are not batty, and more, to articulate things you may have experienced in a strikingly simple and direct manner with a spice of humour.

Trust the Process: an Artist's Guide to Letting Go by Shaun McNiff - A little harder to get into but well worth an initial push, once you get going you don't look back.

I re-read passages from time to time from both of these books.

Painting and confidence

2010-08-10T21:50:00.001+02:00

Yesterday, I wasn't very happy with my painting. I spent several hours painting without conviction, hesitantly, you could even say fearfully or at least anxiously. It happens sometimes.

I think the why of it is that having advanced a painting so that it begins to please or satisfy me, I start being afraid of messing it up. I paint, but I am unconsciously holding back. Actually it's not that unconscious, which helps to maintain the general level of tension, but I am unable, at the time at least, to do anything about it.

I am not alone in encountering these bouts, from what I read and hear, it happens sometimes to artists - people creating. It is sometimes a part of the process.

Inevitably, I paint less well when I feel this way. Not that it is necessarily *bad* painting, but it is more of grind, maybe less "true".

Today all was well again, and I painted with quiet attention and confidence, feeling nourished as I painted.

Here is a detail of the painting from this evening (I worked a lot around the eye and nose):

click in image to see larger

The full painting, still in process but feeling good:

click in image to see larger

Gazing up - so far

2010-08-06T22:32:00.000+02:00

Here are stages so far :

click image to see larger

Advanciing little by little. The face is taking on more a little more life and the skin is beginning to feel translucent.

click image to see larger

Gazing up - progress

2010-08-05T18:49:00.001+02:00

Still temporary title, if a bit better than yesterday.

Slowly building up the tones, in fairly thin paint for the time, and sclupting the hair a bit.
So far managing not to go too tight.

Necky Woman looking up - Painting process

2010-08-04T21:25:00.000+02:00

Just a provisional title for the painting I started this week.

Below is my painting broken down into a few snapshots.

The painting is oil on acrylic base on linen canvas 50 x 70 cm.

The painting as it stands this evening

click image to view larger

4 stages of the painting
click image to view larger

A few words on the process:

In the first snap I have put down two layers of acrylic, first red and then green. Why did I choose those colors? Difficult to give a very rational reason. The original subject in the photograph was outside with trees in the background - that gives green, and red is a complement to green and so vibrates with it. When putting on the green I painted loosely leaving large spaces to let the red show through. I don't know how much of the under coat will be left visible at the end, but at the least it serves to stimulate me with the color interaction and the texture.

In the second snap, after transferring my drawing to the canvas, I painted the broad outlines, still in acrylic. Those two snaps are from the first day.

The third and fourth snaps, on the second day, show the colors beginning to block in and the light and shade beginning to show up, this time in alkyd oil - it will be dry by tomorrow.

As ever I will exert myself to try and retain the freshness which comes easily with the first coats of paint, but gets more difficult as the painting comes closer to the finish.

A painting is a moving target.

Provencal Sunset - finished

2010-08-02T19:02:00.002+02:00

Declaring it finished now. Adapted the distribution of light in the sky and enhanced the glow from the sky in the land and vines.

oil on canvas 70 x 50 cm - click image to see larger

a detail

Good news and bad news

2010-07-29T18:26:00.002+02:00

The good news is that the painting is getting close to as good as it can.I went at the sky with a painting knife, it was too quiet. I will however let it think overnight (and longer if necessary). It will let me know what needs doing, if anything.

The bad news is that I discovered a tear in another painting; I am in the process of repairing.
So it goes...

Detail - click image to see larger

The painting - click image to see larger

Provencal sunset

2010-07-28T18:47:00.001+02:00

I pulled another on out of the recycle pile and saved it from the dreaded gesso. Often in my older paintings I made good choices for the subject, but was unable to live up to my vision.

I put it up on the easel one more time before deciding to white it out, and decided it deserved more work, or it decided and convinced me..

As all my older paintings the original is acrylic.

Here is the state of it after two sessions . I am not happy with the sky yet, but the land is going in the right direction.

click image to see larger

Shout - stormy skies

2010-07-14T18:32:00.000+02:00

The sky has morphed into an impending storm.

More Progress on the Shout (detail)

2010-07-13T23:07:00.001+02:00

The animal is really coming out now...

click image for larger view

Another session on "The Shout!"

2010-07-08T18:29:00.000+02:00

I am going back over the face to give it a bit of grit & texture; again, I was going too smooth for my taste on the features. Took a bigger brush and went at it a bit drier and a bit more boldly. It's going in the right direction... maybe

Here's a detail to see the texture:

and the full painting... oops, left a paper towel in front at bottom...

Three Men at the Market - finsihed

2010-06-25T19:02:00.001+02:00

Here is the finshed painting with detail. (link to painting on my portfolio site)

Click images to view larger

Thee men at the market - finishing up

2010-06-24T18:43:00.000+02:00

I have the bad habit of doing my paintings up to about 90% of what they need and putting them aside for the exitement of a new subject.

The consequence is that inevitably, I accumulate paintings needing to be finished.

I finally pulled this one out with the firm intention of finishing it.
So far so good. May be one more session... I have to get those fruits shining!

It is oil on canvas 80 x 60 cm (31.5 x 23.5 inches)

click image to see larger (it's worth it)

Or if your screen can take it click this image (1600 pixels wide)

Bringing a street to life - tentative finish

2010-06-17T18:51:00.002+02:00

I'm calling this finished for the time. As usual I will put it aside and mull it before final decision.
I included a detail below that I like particularly.
Please feel free to comment..

click image to see larger

Detail

click image to see larger

Bringing a street to life - 3

2010-06-16T18:47:00.000+02:00

Getting a bit more into the details, now, though I don't want to become too precise. Smaller brushes and strokes - building up the volume of the greenery, tinting the sky a bit closer to violet, accentuating highlights and shadows.