Over the past few weeks, I have been doing a lot of work in the studio, getting ready for several show opportunities. I've been working with photos and field studies on some large landscapes. As is my usual practice, I have gone out and done a couple of plein air pieces. as well. Even so,I found that my work was getting a bit stale, and to be honest, not up to my own standards.
So, I decided to scrap what I had been working on, and set up a still life, to work on from life. I had been working hard in pastel, and just was not happy with my efforts. I decided to do a 24x24" oil on linen.
I was also inspired by a beautiful floral arrangement, which was an anniversary surprise from my husband. ...and a gift to myself, a small lemon tree had surprised me with fragrant blossoms. I couldn't resist!
The above photo shows my set up in the studio. After I took some time arranging the elements, I toned the canvas with a greenish umber color, and sketched in my drawing with charcoal. The only lighting on the set up is natural daylight coming in from two large north facing windows. After being satisfied with my drawing, I rendered the darker masses/shadowed areas with a wash of turpenoid and violet. I then started to block in color areas, and my lights. this is the stage that you see in the above photo.
This shows the piece much further along.I added a leaf which overlaps the pot rim, further enhancing the "S" shaped movement throughout the piece. My concern , ( and fun!) in this was to create volume, and graceful movement throughout. It was very satisfying actually getting the grapefruit and oranges round, with soft edges. The floral vessel, of course is the same shape...a globe, but rendered very differently, as it is clear, and highly reflective.The leaves are rendered with harder edges, and I was careful to have them going in different directions. Textures, colors, and form...that is really what this painting is about. I felt as if I was sculpting with a brush.
While working, I developed some areas more fully; others I wanted to keep more unfinished. This shows a close up detail of my center of interest...the " dialog" between the lemon blossoms, and the rose bouquet. Here, the paint is heavier, and I added such details as the paint chipping on the large pot.
...and here is the completed work "Oh So Sweet", oil on linen, 24x24.
Getting away from my pastel landscapes with a fun, light , refreshing " breather", meant that I can now return to my more familiar work with fresh eyes, and a rejuvenated approach. I'm happy to say, that I've got a new, large one on the easel, and am also photographing it in stages. That will be a future post!
