Strawberry Swirl, oil on cradled wood, 8 x 8 (20 x 20 cm) It was absolutely joyful to paint this complex donut because of all the colors and textures involved in the toppings, including the shiny glaze, matte whipped icing and various types of sprinkles.
Lately, I have been working on a series of small oil paintings of food. I have been painting with oils for many years, creating fairly realistic large-scale paintings of water, birds and flowers. When I taught painting classes, I demonstrated primarily with still life, and my recent return to this subject reminds me of the value of still life for honing observation and color sense. These small paintings are relatively fast and very enjoyable to do.
I usually paint my subjects from background to foreground, but I take a different approach with these small still life paintings: I begin with the most challenging and detailed element and work towards the larger and simpler areas of color. Small surface details (like sprinkles) are the final touch, but for the most part, I am finishing as I go.
My small still life paintings are on cradled wood panels, between 8 and 12 inches square. The panel surface allows for precise brushstrokes and clean lines. I first tape the edges off with masking tape to preserve the attractive wood sides, and then prepare the surface by alternately sanding and applying three coats of gesso. There remains some residual texture from brushing the gesso on; it is not as rough as canvas, nor as smooth as pre-primed or sprayed.
Denne historien er fra June - July 2021-utgaven av International Artist.
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Denne historien er fra June - July 2021-utgaven av International Artist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Fresh Eyes
Anna Rose Bain discusses the passions of being an artist and helping students transform their own work
The Next Level
Jacob Dhein uses a wet-into-wet technique to create painterly depictions of a variety of subjects
Wild Spirit
Alternating between broad glazes and fine details, Claire Milligan captures the intricacies of the animal kingdom
The Bridge Between
Watercolorist Thomas Wells Schaller delves into the nuances of observation and imagination
The Color Continuum
Catherine Hearding demonstrates how she utilizes color to enhance the mood of her landscapes
Points of Precision
A strong focal point and attention to detail make Nicola Jane's artwork jump off the page
BE YOURSELF
Harley Brown's fascinating things no one else will tell you
JEFFREY T. LARSON
Expertly Putting the Pieces Together
Hot-Blooded
Blending elements of realism and surrealism, figurative artist Anna Wypych’'s paintings are dominated by vivid reds
Adam Clague Incandescence
Adam Clague’s masterful understanding of contrast allows him to paint subjects that seem to glow from within