Here is an updated verson of the right panel. I have brushed with a dry brush across the tree leaves. I am not real happy with this triptych at this time. I will be putting it aside and starting the second triptych, giving me some perspective hopefully to go back into these with renewed interest.

The trees look like cartoons of real trees . . . but I must keep reminding myself that they are really just underpainting for what I hope will be the final look. More brush strokes in the right places . . . size of strokes, correct color, etc. Remember that painting is just putting the right color and shape in the right place. Easier said than done.

Playing it safe . . . or Not!

This morning I have been trying to straighten up my desk and get some things back in order after ignoring my paper work. I found a little piece of paper with a quote on it and I thought I would post it here. It is so appropriate to what I am doing now with a commission and painting oil paintings in the style of my pastels. Daunting task to say the least . . . but they are working quite nicely.

This quote was copied down from the old "Plein Air Magazine" of a few years ago. It was said by Frank La Lumia:

"If you crash and burn, so what? Surely, playing it safe won't take you where you want to be; and besides, the huge rewards of painting with this attitude more than make up for occasional setbacks."

We all need to follow these words, don't you think? Give me your thoughts and any quotes you have run across regarding playing it safe . . . or not!

Here you can see both the middle panel and the right panel. I am bringing the right panel up to the level of the middle panel.

I work on two panels at a time, alternating with the middle panel -- I will put either the right or the left panel up. This helps me to keep the painting consistent with color and style.

So far, I have done fairly well. It is now at the time to consider what avenue I will go with the final colors of the trees. Here and in the previous posts you see what I consider a layer that will help the colors of the final layer feel like they are real.

Let me know what you are thinking -- but remember I am no where near what I want in the finished colors. At this point I am also thinking what I need to subtract -- elements that are disturbing, or even what I might need to add to help the composition.

Here you can see the second layer of painting on the middle panel and the left panel.

I having fun, but trying to make the oil painting have the same style as a pastel is a difficult task.

My oil paintings have more of a "brush stroke" look. The pastel paintings have a somewhat softer look and the strokes are less evident.

So . . . I like a challenge . . . and this is definitely one of those. I have actually started on the second triptych. I have progressed quite a bit further and will be posting the remaining work on this triptych. I have stopped on it at the moment to let it dry a little before continuing with it. I would consider it about 80 percent done -- maybe a little more. I am not happy with it, and will be looking, and deciding what I need to do to make a better painting of it . . . and of course, to make me like it!

The photo on the left shows some of the panels where I have them lying flat for me to put a finish and the gesso on them. Behind them are several more panels waiting for me to finish these before I can get them on the flat surface to receive their gesso.

To the right, is the underpainting of the middle panel of my first of two paintings that are a triptych for the hospital commission. You can see how thinly I am putting down the paint to just have a road map for coming back and adding good thick paint and details.

The photo below that is the panel that will be to the left of the middle one. The underpainting is a little more vivid on this one. I was getting a little bolder with my initial lay in. Though it looks a little spotty at this initial stage, these colors will be good as a base for what I put on later. These will show through some of the later layers and will give the painting depth and life!

I am in the beginning stages of creating four oil paintings for a hospital -- a commission that will be installed in the middle of March. Two of the paintings are divided into three panels each -- called a triptych. This photo shows the cradled wood panels as I start putting a finish on them. After this dries I put three coats of gesso on the panels and each of the sides.

I have started the underpainting of the first painting -- one of the triptych paintings. These are all scenes of creeks that I have painted already in pastel. They will be based on the original pastels, but not an exact replica. The scene will be the same, and the style and colors. I am free to make changes as long as I stay with the concept of the pastel painting.

The second photo shows the first part of the underpainting process. I'll post the progress shots as I can.

New Oil painting by Alter Ego - Helena!

I haved started my second experimental painting using my alter ego name of "Helena". I wanted to play a little bit and felt that if some of these experiments should turn out to be "frameable" -- then I would not want to confuse my patrons and potential clients with a different style, should I decide to place them in one of my galleries for sale.

Here is the first shot of the painting in progress. I have toned the canvas a warm light peach, and started with the scrubbing process I wanted to use for the trees. I have used several different colors for the dark area and have left them very thin. I then started placing the pinks in the distant field -- and those strokes are somewhat thicker.

I think it is finished, and I will post the second in-progress shot next. I will have to take another photo on Wednesday of the painting as it is now. But . . . I always like to let them "meditate" for a few days, or week or so, before it tells me it is finished (or not)!

This one is a little different from the first "alter ego" painting that is a "cubist" approach. I am thoroughly enjoying painting in a somewhat different style from my main work. They are terribly different, but enough that I thought it would be more "play" than work!

Tell me what you think?