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
A Sense of Depth
A solid grasp of foreground, mid and background makes Colley Whisson's scenes come to life
Peaceful Places
Sara Linda Poly creates a sense of atmosphere and depth in her soft, ethereal landscapes
School's in Session
A look at some of the many in-person and online art classes and workshops available today
Collaborative Environment
In this special edition of Beyond the Palette, we asked Scottsdale Artists' School executive director Trudy Hays a few of our own questions-about the benefits of art school, community and more
Flying COLORS
Artist David Barclay discusses how to pack painting gear for air travel-managing bulk, weight restrictions and more
Keep It REAL
The Art Renewal Center bolsters the support and reverence of traditional representational art
BUILDING AN ART CAREER ONLINE PART I
In this two-part series, James Gurney presents options for artists who want to improve their internet business strategies
EDWARD FRAUGHTON
Sculpting the Spirit of the American West
Preserving the Soul of Art
Throughout human history, people have used art to express themselves, record their daily activities, capture moments and share their emotions.
Intrigue in the ordinary
I've \"'ve never had any formal training always had a strong attraction to the arts and the practice of painting