Class Room Studies II & New Studio Work

Here are some more class room studies from the Ron Arthaud class I'm taking. It is so fun and very different for me to explore the simple shapes and passages of colors set out before us. I am always intrigued from the moment I get to class, seeing what kind of STUFF gets tossed in the middle of the room to paint from all angles so that everyone can find something interesting. I am still working with a limited palette and really I have no desire to expand on it at this moment. Part of the fun for me is to see if I can mix the huge range of colors I see with only the basics.

9x12 Oil on Linen   "Let's take a break"

I'm considering doing a series of "BREAK TIME paintings" What do you think? I loved the hats that one of the ladies brought in and of course adding the cup tells a story!

9x12 Oil on panel

A rusty oil can, cloth and the frightening part for me a white hand cast.I am glad I pushed past my fear to get those fingers in there! I would like to do some more studies with the casts.

8x10 Oil on panel

Bags, bags and more bags! Oh and a rusty can smack in the middle to break up all that paper....here I was concerned about the red, as red commands your attention! I really enjoyed painting the bags so much that I've worked on some more in my studio.

WHAT'S Happening in the STUDIO?

16x20 Oil on Linen

 A very nice still life is started while the wind is raging outside - hopefully I won't "Ru in it"!

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Aspen Glow - Large Palette Knife

24x171/2 Oil on gessoed hardboard
no framing needed 
- Palette Knife Painting -
SOLD - Thank you!

FUN, FUN, FUN!!! If you asked me what I love the most about palette knife painting it would be hard to pinpoint one simple answer. I seem to just go to another place in time. I am not so serious and don't usually over think the process because I know that I'm not trying to get little details right or exactly this or that line right. I do think a lot about the values and whether to use thick or thin paint, if I don't get those right you wouldn't be able to tell what is what from a distance. Ohhh, and don't even get me started on how much fun it is to layer on the THICK paint! 

This painting turned out even better than I'd hoped for. 

If your interested in this painting please contact me
Kathryn@anaturalframe.com

Here are a couple of photo's showing the process.

Gorgeous Thick Details

 

original small study

 

 Sketches for the larger painting

Mixing and applying paint

Thanks so much for visiting!

Classroom Studies

12x16 oil on canvas - Simple Shapes study

10x12 Oil on linen - Paper Bag Study

8x10 Oil on Linen - Plein air study, just gathering information

Here are couple of really fun studies from the class I'm taking with Ron Arthaud. This class is very laid back and fun. Most definitely making me think outside of my Box! The last is a quick plein air study from earlier this week when I was able to get out in MY classroom in the snow for painting and a little cross country skiing before the weather took a turn for the worst.

 

Below is the beginning of a larger palette knife painting.

For this painting I work on a section and let it setup (dry) for a few days so when I start putting on the next layer of thick paint it won't muddy up my sky and distant mountains. I am sure praying this painting turns out...love it so far!

Palette Knife Oil on chessoed hardboard

Hope you enjoy today's post, comments and emails are always welcome.

 Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sunset Meadow

12x16 Oil on linen

This is a painting I've wanted to do for such a long time. It is

 a beautiful place in McCall Idaho, Ponderosa Campground. A few years ago we went camping with my son's family and this meadow brings sweet memories of riding my bicycle with my granddaughters in the evenings and early mornings. Every time we passed this meadow I was captivated with it's simple beauty.

Have a beautiful day!

"A Piece of the Rubies" plein air study

8x6 oil on panel

Finally a day warm enough to paint outside for a couple of hours!

I didn't venture far and the breeze did try to kick up a little but it felt too good to be out of the studio. I did however get off without my camera for reference photo's to use later. This was actually good for me and made me even more determined to be sure to get the important elements for this little study. 

 Thanks for visiting!

" Lamoille Glacier View"

12x16 Oil on linen

This turned out to be a fantastic and very fun painting. Wish everyone could see it in person. The distant peak with patches of snow and a touch of sun peaking through the dramatic clouds. I enjoyed painting this one very much. Thanks for visiting!

Yes, I changed the name of this painting,after some thought the original just didn't seem fitting.

White Onions

8x16 Oil on Linen

I am learning to enjoy doing Still Life paintings more and more. Now when I visit the grocery store I even shop a little differently.....shapes,colors, size....so much for sticking to the grocery list! When I bought these white onions I was thinking I wanted to paint them as just a tonal...black & white but after I began I couldn't hold back on the color. I kept looking at the pinks and greens in the white onions. I used a black cloth on the bottom but it seemed too cold so I used my artistic license as usual and made it up as I went along. One of these days I will paint exactly what is in front of me, not so much as that is my goal, but I do want to be ABLE to if I ever wanted to.

Misty Spring Days

12x16 oil on linen

Gosh, has it really been a month since I last posted? I have been painting a lot this winter and have gotten quite picky I suppose, it seems that nothing is turning out "just right" and this is one of those paintings! My reference photo is of a gorgeous place and the day was cold and misty with a touch of sun peaking through every once in a while. When I paint landscapes in the studio I use my own photo's but after the idea is cast I focus on what I remember of the day while I was there. It was such a quiet peaceful day! Hope you can see that in this piece.

Here's what it will look like framed! 

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day.

Kathryn

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

Wild or tame?  
A painting in the making .

Horse Portraits

 

The horses are done! each portrait is 14x18 done in oil on linen and taken me a few months to complete as I didn't work on them exclusively. I worked at getting to know each horse over the summer and took a whole lot of photo's and made several drawings that take me "forever" to do. I'm pretty sure I've gotten their individual personalities.....but the test is to see what my neighbor thinks as these are their babies and they know them best.

They look great all framed up and ready to hang!

 Have a safe and happy holiday!