Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Fresh Peaches {a new still life painting}

20100708 peaches 18x24
Fresh Peaches – 18" x 24" (45.7 x 61 cm) – Oil on Linen

This is the second painting completed while studio sitting a few weeks ago. It was the first painting where I applied a technique recommended by Danni where you work on a specific area, say 6 inches square where you refine everything at once, instead of just painting in specific objects as solitary items. This enables you to work out edge qualities of how everything interacts. This way does seem to make the painting go faster on larger pieces as you can get an idea of how the effect of the painting is coming together at an earlier stage. After the entire canvas is covered in this manner, you go back over the painting again, picking out specific areas that will require the greatest level of refinement, and then going back again and again.

I am really enjoying using this method as it makes painting anything larger than an 8" x 10" (20.3 x 25 cm) rewarding as you see pretty soon if the composition and idea are working out. With smaller pieces it all comes together so quickly you know right away if the painting is going in the desired direction immediately.

Have a wonderful evening,

Liz

PS. I loved learning about this Dutch still life artist and being introduced to his work by this post and this post. Thank you Matthew D. Innis for introducing him to me :)

13 comments:

Susan Roux said...

This painting is wonderful! I think this new method you're adopting is really working for you! Keep up the great work.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Hi, Liz:

I'm so glad you're enjoying "studio sitting." Fresh Peaches is amazing. The detail astounds me.

Isn't Matthew Innis's site terrific?

Virginia Floyd said...

Absolutely beautiful! It was interesting to read about your process for the painting. Thanks for sharing.

Karen Hargett said...

Awesome work. Love the little details - the chips in the bowl. the peaches perfect and I love the fabric creases. Lovely.

Kerri Settle said...

Beautiful! Whatever method you're using, it works!

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Thanks Susan :)

eLIZabeth Floyd said...
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eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Hi Elizabeth, The studio sitting is now over and now I am working in my home studio. It is nice getting back into my own space after the "vacation" of sorts. Matthew Innis's site is great!

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Thanks Virginia, I am surprised how a simple change in technique makes such a difference!

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Hi Karen, I love chips on bowls now! They really add something to the paintings. I just bought a bowl today with several chips b/c it had such a sense of patina

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Thanks Kerri!

LindaHunt said...

Beautiful painting!

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

Thanks Linda :)