Lilacs and Hydrangeas

Today I put the finishing touches on two paintings that I started last week. This is a busy time for me with the gardens and the beginning of canning season. Strawberries and raspberries have been turned into freezer jam and sauce for shortcakes. Our early peach tree gave us a small basket of fruit that I canned the other day. Next week I will pick up a bushel of Jersey peaches from our local Amish store. Then it will be vegetables from our garden and local blueberries.

I spent this afternoon in my studio painting with Elvis and Johnny Mathis. Every time I listen to my Elvis CD's I think of my dear friend and student, Lois. We spent many hours painting and singing with Elvis. Those were the greatest of times.

Thank you Elvis, Johnny and Lois for a very nice afternoon.

Lilacs in the Window, 8x10, oil  SOLD

Hydrangeas, 9x12, oil  SOLD

These paintings were available in My Ebay Store - Florals

Thanks for visiting with me.
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

Malta, July's Virtual Paint Out

Malta is a small group of islands (only three are inhabited) in the Mediterranean Sea about 50 miles south of Italy. Covering just over 122 sq mi, (slightly less than two Washington, DCs), with a population of about 450,000, it is one of the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries.

The landscape consists of low hills with terraced fields and deep harbors. The highest point is only 830 ft above sea level. Although there are some small rivers at times of heavy rainfall, there are no permanent rivers or lakes. Malta relies heavily on trade for goods and agricultural products.

With its sunny Mediterranean climate, the islands of Malta are said to have the best climate in the world, with yearly average temperatures ranging from 73° F in the daytime to 61° F at night.

I noticed some horse-drawn tourist carriages in the various cities. Maybe these horses are getting a relaxing time out.

Cooling the Horses, Malta, 8x10, oil  SOLD

This painting was available in my Ebay Store - Virtual Paint Out.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer weather. Thanks for visiting with me.

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com
My Ebay Store

More Lilacs

My previous two lilac paintings have gone to new homes. One painting to the new bride and groom and the second painting to New Jersey through my Ebay Store. I really enjoyed painting lilacs. Maybe it was working with purples.

So this week I did two more. I finished them today and listed them in my Ebay Store. The first one sold within a half hour and when it is dried and varnished it will live in Alaska.

Lilacs, 9x12, oil. SOLD

Lilacs and Clementines, 9x12, oil  SOLD

Purples are fun to work with as long as you remember to add a bit of umber in the shadows to help control the intensity. 

Our Virtual Paint Out Group is visiting Malta this month. Maybe tomorrow I'll start on that painting.... or maybe I'll paint lilacs again.

I hope you are doing what makes your heart happy. For me, it's painting.

Thanks for visiting,

Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store

Mock Orange - Painting Steps

 Our Mock Orange bush was so beautiful this year. How could I not try to paint it?

For Liz, one of my previous students, who wrote, "Please help. I haven't painted in a long while and I can't remember how we started a still life....."

Reference Set-Up

Set up a shadow box with strong light and dark patterns. The reference set-up is just that - reference. Now you need to make the painting your own.

The initial lay-in. 

Make sure that your subject fits nicely on the canvas. Note the gray toned canvas.

The mass tones.

Working in the middle values and basic colors, keep all edges soft. Work carefully and deliberately. Be sure you are pleased before you continue to the next step. Make any corrections now.

The modeling stage.

This takes the longest. Don't rush through it.  Work your shapes, colors and values. Work your edges and background. Finalize the foreground. When you are pleased, put it aside to dry.

The finishing stage.

Mock Orange Blossoms, 11x14, oil

Add the final highlights and accents. Respect what you have already done. This is not the time for major corrections. Then put it aside to dry. Look at it again in a few days, add bits and pieces if needed. Done.


There you are, Liz. Hope this helps. The main thing is to work deliberately and correctly each step of the way. Don't worry about copying the reference exactly as it is - make this your painting. Happy painting. Send me a picture when you are finished.

This painting is available in my Ebay Store - Florals

Happy painting, everyone. And Happy 4th of July!
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com
My Ebay Store