DEMO - "Ball of Thread" - Part 2

To start with I cut this 6x6 inch panel out of a larger 1/8" MDF panel I had and then gave it several coats of gesso with a touch of sanding in between each coat. I used a spray gesso which worked great, it went on smoothly and evenly. I prefer painting on a smooth surface rather than a surface with brushstrokes or even canvas texture.  

I then toned the panel with burnt umber using thinned down oil paint with Gamblin OMS and I let that dry for several days. I prefer painting on a toned surface just to kill the white and unify the painting a bit.

I worked out the size and placement of the arrangement with vine charcoal and brushed away everything except the lightest of lines; some of the charcoal lines disappeared altogether. 

DEMO - "Ball of Thead" - Part 1

I spent about an hour or so working out this little still-life composition this evening. It is the subject of a small 6x6 inch painting that is going to be exhibited at SouthWind Gallery in Topeka, KS as part of their Holiday Mini-Show. A Ball of Thread is a little bit of a play on words, it's really a Ball jar containing thread...hopefully people will get it. 

I paint most all of my still-life paintings from life and I think it has made a difference in the quality of my work. In this setup the light is from above. I'm hoping I can capture the quality of the light on the various colors of thread in the jar and create a nice atmosphere around the setup all in a mini painting.

SOLD! "Copper Pot with Lemons"

"Copper Pot with Lemons" Oil/Linen Panel 8x10 Inch

This little painting was featured this week on the home decor' website www.onekingslane.com and it sold. I packed and shipped it off to it's new owner in Atlanta, GA. This was my first time painting lemons and copper. It was a fun learning experience. 

114 S Jefferson Wellington KS (AKA The Pink House)

Sketchbook - 114 S Jefferson, Wellington, KS 

This is a very unique home in downtown Wellington just past the First United Methodist Church. It is a landmark of sorts and is commonly know in the area as the Pink House. It has not been a residence for many years but the home is being cared for. I had an opportunity to take a tour of the home several years ago before work was done to preserve it. This is a quick sketch I did in my sketchbook on Sunday afternoon and then added some color using Photoshop.  

Bolillio y Agua (Bread and Water)

Bolillio y Agua 8x10in Oil/Canvas $240

Bolillio is a Mexican bread readily available in the stores here in Kansas. I don't recall seeing until just recently though. I painted this on stretched canvas, which I usually don't paint on any more but I had it so I thought I would use it. This painting is available either through my website www.skeetsirmons.com or www.zatista.com.