Category Archives: oil painting

Exercises or Exorcises? Did I mention a productive 3+ months?

WOW! I’m a bit amazed – I knew it but there’s nothing like a Catherine Kehoe  class to ramp up exploration and rethinking the work habits. This semester?  how little do you need to make a head? The vertical image has all my exercises (plus drawings) – each piece presenting a different challenge: B&W, aContinue reading “Exercises or Exorcises? Did I mention a productive 3+ months?”

Heads, week 10 homework: with Catherine Kehoe at Mass Art

The homework from week 10 – colors are a better match than last week, the drawing not so much. One of the challenges with the use of historical paintings to recreate in these exercises is they are all about subtle techniques and shading; seems simpler to do with a live model lit in the studio.Continue reading “Heads, week 10 homework: with Catherine Kehoe at Mass Art”

Now for an evening of palette knife

There are times when painting with a palette knife is really satisfying, and tonight, when with the last strokes I added the cheeks hinting of rose, I felt like I did it right. Enjoy your week everyone! The details: 6×6 inch oil paint on carton board, applying paint only with a couple palette knives. JustContinue reading “Now for an evening of palette knife”

A head from history- 40 (-ish) strokes

This challenge? Homework complete? My colors are off – done in 40 or fewer strokes with a 1 inch brush. The painting I’m using is Artemisia Gentileschi”s Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting, 1638–39, Royal Collection. The original and I were both visiting Vancouver in January 2018 – what a treat to see it!    

Heads, with limited palette. How little information do I need?

More homework for Catherine Kehoe’s Head class at Mass Art, with thanks to MK (top row – palette: Alizarin Crimson/Ultramarine Blue/Indian Yellow/Titanium White) and Eve (bottom row – palette: Quinacridone Red/Cadmium Yellow Deep/Cobalt Blue/Titanium White ) for their patience.