Painting in Ventura
I received an invitation to paint in Ventura with a group of artists. Marian Fortunati and I carpooled to Terry Supple's lovely duplex which is right near the ocean. It was a fantastic day, warm, sunny and loaded with great painting spots. I set up to paint a perfectly shapedMonterey pine tree that was on a point of land jutting out into the harbor.
The twisted trunk and dark shadows were a stark contrast to the bright sunlit edges of the foliage. Because the tree was the focal point, I softened the colors of the harbor in the background. I used dark purples, browns, blues and greens throughout the tree for the shadows. Painting aMonterey Pine reminded me of my participation in the Carmel plein air Art Festival this past May.
Marian Painting in VenturaThe group met back at Terry's condo to show our mornings efforts and have a little critique. Thank you Terry for including me in the group and allowing me to explore theVentura area. It was great fun. Comment on or Share this Article →
Painting with Artists from the California Art Club
It was one of those days in Southern California when you just have to yell, "I love LA." Marian Fortunati and I drove to the Adamson House in Malibu for a paint-out with other members of the California Art Club. Coming through Malibu Canyon to emerge at the coast, we both commented on how beautiful it all was.
The splendid ranch house was built in 1929 and has amazing Malibu tile details that are a trademark of the estate. I found a spot near the pool that looked through some trees at a lifeguard station and beyond to the ocean. The sun was sparkling off the water, the air was warm, the wind hadn't kicked up yet. Looking at the scene, I knew my challenge would be differentiating all the blue colors. The turquoise ocean, pale blue sky and baby blue of the building were all similar colors so it would be the values that would make or break the painting. I added a little peach to the sky at the horizon. The ocean's blue had a touch of turquoise that set it apart. The lifeguard stand had shadows that held a purple cast. The values worked and I had a blast painting this one.
At the Entrance to The Adamson House in Malibu
If you are interested in owning this painting, contact me through Sharon's Email or buy it online at SharonWeaver.com While you are there sign up for Sharon's News and take a look at my other artwork. Comment on or Share this Article →
Painting Italy: Luninous Light
My trip to Italy was a wonderful adventure that I am still reliving. I have painted several studio pieces using photos taken during that October 2008 trip and plan to paint several more.
We stumbled upon this tranquil scene as we walked from the Villa Borghese Museum through the adjacent park. The astounding variety of autumn colors was duplicated in the waters reflection, but the fascinating part about painting this was discovering just how many different greens there really are to choose from. Blue/green to gray/green to yellow/green to orange/green; all where in the surrounding trees and vegetation.
Remembering this day in Rome, brings a smile to my face. If you have a special place you would like to have painted, I am available for commissions. If you are interested in owning this painting, contact me through Sharon's Email or take a look at more of my paintings at SharonWeaver.com
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Commission Portrait Painting
Study 1 I have been commission to do a 22x28 portrait and just recently finished the 11x14 study. Thus far, it has been a wonderful project. I have discovered that I love doing portraits. The restricted subject matter allows me to concentrate on values, colors and composition.
Study 1 was completed last week and emailed to the client. I had a few days to evaluate my painting before I received her happy response. I saw a number of things that needed to be tweaked. The client and I both agreed that the neck was too thick and needed to be made more graceful. One thing I didn't notice but the client did was that the hand looks like an adult's, so I shortened the fingers and made them a little thicker.
Study 1 was completed last week and emailed to the client. I had a few days to evaluate my painting before I received her happy response. I saw a number of things that needed to be tweaked. The client and I both agreed that the neck was too thick and needed to be made more graceful. One thing I didn't notice but the client did was that the hand looks like an adult's, so I shortened the fingers and made them a little thicker.
Study 2I wanted the face to open up so I softened the shadows and allowed her smile to really shine. Her complexion was a little ruddy so I added pinks and downplayed the orange. The part in the hair was a little too low so I raised that up. I also shaved the smallest amount from her cheek. With a portrait, a fraction of an inch can make all the difference. NOW, I am satisfied with the study and really looking forward to starting on the final canvas next week.
A portrait is a wonderful way to show your appreciation and love. It is an ideal gift for the holidays, an anniversary, or birthday. To discuss a commission send me a note at Contact Sharon. If you would like to see more of my work take a look at SharonWeaver.com and while you are there sign up for Sharon's News. Comment on or Share this Article →
Alex Schaefer: October Demonstrating Artist
Alex Schaefer was the demo artists the month of October for the San Fernando Valley Art Club. He is a versatile artist who is at home painting a cityscape or a portrait.
Alex gave everyone a crash coarse on the importance of values. He described how to compare the values of different colors. He explained how to divide a color value scale in half and only use the top half for colors in sunlight while the bottom half values are used in the shadows. This relationship of sunlight to shadow can work using any color as long as the comparisons are constant. This is to this, as that is to that. In other words light is to shadow as another light is to it's shadow. Value relations are the key to giving a flat surface dimension. Alex took it further when asked what color he uses for skin, he said he uses every color and that any color can look like skin with the correct value scale.
Alex gave everyone a crash coarse on the importance of values. He described how to compare the values of different colors. He explained how to divide a color value scale in half and only use the top half for colors in sunlight while the bottom half values are used in the shadows. This relationship of sunlight to shadow can work using any color as long as the comparisons are constant. This is to this, as that is to that. In other words light is to shadow as another light is to it's shadow. Value relations are the key to giving a flat surface dimension. Alex took it further when asked what color he uses for skin, he said he uses every color and that any color can look like skin with the correct value scale.
At the Break Talking with SFVAC Members
Alex's talk gave many of the members a lot to think about with his explanation of values. He also showed us his palette where he had already premixed his colors with white to create mid-range values. He said that this helped him incorporate more mid-tones into his paintings.
Alex's Palette But now it was time to paint. One raffle ticket was drawn at the start of the meeting to determine who would sit to have their portrait painted. Alex started with a charcoal sketch. Using lots of paint he began to work in the colors. Someone gasped when he started the blond hair using a very dark grey but Alex proved his value theory works when the end result was a wonderful portrait for Arlette Manard to take home and enjoy.
Alex is almost finished with Arlette's PortraitThank you to Alex Schaefer for a memorable demonstration. Comment on or Share this Article →
Sunset Painting
I have been preoccupied with my current path. Rethinking goals and coming up with new approaches to old problems. Although I haven't painted much, I have had a number of breakthroughs that I am very excited about. I have a lot of work to do before the new project goes public. Something to look forward to.
In the mean time, the plein air exhibit at the South Pasadena Public Library took place and "Standing Tall" is the second piece that I painted. I originally had intended to paint the moon between the trees but the sunset was so lovely that I decided to paint that instead.
With the light fading fast, I was glad that I had the basic shapes already blocked in. The setting sun hit the small clouds with a burst of color and I frantically worked before the light show was over. I always relish the connection to nature that takes place when painting outside. As I packed up to head home, a sense of peace embraced me along with the approaching night.
If you are interested in owning this painting, contact me through Sharon's Email or take a look at more of my paintings at SharonWeaver.com Comment on or Share this Article →
Painting South Pasadena
Fall has finally arrived with cooler weather, but last week during the South Pasadena: City of Trees Plein Air Event, it was very hot. As luck would have it, Marian Fortunati and I ventured out to paint on Thursday, one of the hottest days. The spot we picked was shaded with several different possibilities to paint. I had primed my panel with a vibrant Burnt Umber which was the exact color of the sunlit dappled ground around two Adirondack chairs.
I first blocked in the dark shadows under the pine tree and background. The chairs where the key to the painting so I took my time, concentrating on the perspective and composition. With the intense heat, I emphasized the contrast of the cool, blue shadows against the hot colors of the orange sunlight.
The final touch was using a palette knife for the foliage with thick paint providing a textural contrast against the smooth wood of the chairs.
This weekend, over one hundred plein air paintings, along with "Cool Shade" and "Standing Tall," will be shown at the South Pasadena Public Library. Try to make it to the reception on October 2 from 7 to 9 PM. You can also take a look on Saturday, October 3rd, but maybe the painting you've got to have will already be sold. This is the second year the California Art Club and the SoPas Gallery have sponsored this plein air event.
I first blocked in the dark shadows under the pine tree and background. The chairs where the key to the painting so I took my time, concentrating on the perspective and composition. With the intense heat, I emphasized the contrast of the cool, blue shadows against the hot colors of the orange sunlight.
The final touch was using a palette knife for the foliage with thick paint providing a textural contrast against the smooth wood of the chairs.
This weekend, over one hundred plein air paintings, along with "Cool Shade" and "Standing Tall," will be shown at the South Pasadena Public Library. Try to make it to the reception on October 2 from 7 to 9 PM. You can also take a look on Saturday, October 3rd, but maybe the painting you've got to have will already be sold. This is the second year the California Art Club and the SoPas Gallery have sponsored this plein air event.
