Jessica's Studio

Painting from Life

2010-03-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

This is a painting I completed from last Saturday's life drawing (painting) session. It took a little over two hours to complete, with a few edits when I got back to my own studio.
I really enjoyed painting this; the model was very inspirational. Life drawing has been so beneficial, it really makes a difference in my work, in my opinion.
This is 12" x 16", oil on canvas, limited palette.

Waterhouse Study Complete!

2010-03-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

A detail and the complete painting of The Mermaid by JW Waterhouse. I really took my time with this one, trying to get as much accuracy as possible. Also, I learned a great deal from this master study. It is 24" x 30", oil on linen.

A Painting from Life (and a detail)

2010-02-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

A painting from life...alla prima...12" x 16", oil on canvas board

I am happy with this painting! I was concentrating on underlying structure, plane changes, and overall shapes more than anything else. There is a likeness there for sure, but I think I was so intrigued with my goal that I aged her at least ten-fifteen years!

Another Update on The Mermaid

2010-02-24T07:56:00.000-08:00

Yet another update to this painting. I have been pretty happy with it throughout the time I have worked on it. I keep thinking I'm finished with it and then I see something that could be made better, and before I know it, hours have passed by and I'm still painting!
The face has been the most challenging, I think. Waterhouse's figures have a distinctive look about them, especially within their facial features. I hope that I have made a good effort :)

Life Drawing-Long Pose

2010-02-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

I went to a life drawing session Saturday morning, and instead of numerous timed poses, it was just one long pose. This is 19" x 25", conte, charcoal, and white pastel.
This is the second life drawing session I have attended this year, and those two sessions were the first since I was in college. I feel like I am getting acquainted with working from life again, and it has already started to pay off in my work, I believe.
I hope to attend the sessions regularly, they are so beneficial.

My work has been steadily improving as of late. I am slowing down a bit and really taking time to observe my work and incorporate new knowledge into it. It's strange, I see a lot more "information" than I used to within subject matter. The "information" has always been there, it was my eye that wasn't attuned for it...

Another Update on The Mermaid

2010-02-17T07:31:00.001-08:00

Another update to my rendition of Waterhouse's The Mermaid. I apologize for the glare in the photo, I took this picture while the paint was wet. Some things improved, some work still left to do...

A Quick One

2010-02-03T08:09:00.001-08:00

A quick sketch I did the other day. I've been sketching, drawing, and painting every day, and I feel the consistency is really pushing me. This was just a study, to get main shapes and an overall impression of the woman and her form.

More Work on The Mermaid

2010-02-02T08:01:00.001-08:00

Another edit on this painting; I am learning so much along the way. And I still have a good bit of work left to do on this one, but I feel it is my strongest study thus far. More to follow...

Back to Waterhouse

2010-01-31T19:19:00.001-08:00

3 Waterhouse studies. The Mermaid, The Soul of the Rose, and Boreas. The last painting is one that I started last year and it is now back on my easel. It needed, and still needs, some tweaking and reworking. These are always so much fun to paint, because I learn and observe so much in the process. And, of course, JW Waterhouse produced some amazing and beautiful works; I'm in awe of everything he ever did.

These are not finished...more to follow.

A Waterhouse Study

2010-01-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is where this one stands after a few painting sessions. It started off strong with a monochromatic "sketching in" with payne's grey, which I am using a lot in my color palette lately. Most days I prefer it to using black. I have work to do as far as my edges go, especially within her face. I am pretty happy with the scenery and the background so far.
I am just enjoying painting this, not trying to finish it, taking it day to day :)

Statue Study Finished

2010-01-27T08:09:00.000-08:00

This one was fun to paint, and it is now complete. It is one of my favorite paintings I have done in a while, and that really makes a difference :)

A Finished Work...and Framed :)

2010-01-26T11:28:00.001-08:00

This one is 11" x 14", acrylic, and finished and framed!
I have been using acrylics more often lately. They are good for training yourself to make decisions, and make them fast, considering the super fast drying time of the paints. I typically use oil paints, so it's nice to have a change from time to time.
Plus, I believe using different mediums can help strengthen your work in your medium of choice.
This one definitely has a limited palette, and was fun to paint.

A Statue :)

2010-01-25T07:59:00.001-08:00

This one is just about finished, just some details in her clothing and her hair, and I think I'll call her done. It is painted with a limited palette of mixing white, yellow ochre, prussian blue, terra rosa, and a little bit of ivory black.

I am very pleased with the development of this painting and I look forward to it's completion.

It is oil on linen, 18" x 24".

Still at it...

2010-01-11T09:32:00.001-08:00

Two recent paintings...both were started around late Summer-early Fall 2009.

These are 16" x 12", oil on panel

New Work- Drawings

2009-07-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Two drawings I started within the last few days...

The first one is something I got an idea for...for a personal gift for someone I know. I am happy with the stage it is at now, but it definitely needs some refining. Hopefully, I can get it to where I think it should be, get it matted and framed, and give it to her soon.

The other drawing, of the dog, will probably stay around this rough nature. It is from a photograph I took, of my dog, Hamlet. He has a playful and wild side to him, so the level of the "roughness" suits him :) We have a crazy cat too, drawings/ paintings of him should pop up soon, I'm sure :)

New Work- Paintings

2009-07-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Soul of the Rose (after Waterhouse)
Oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

The Weight (photo source: mjranum)
Oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

I've been working...and researching various things, I haven't kept up with posting on here, however. These are two paintings I just started, both are in the very rough stage right now. Very rough, just blocking in some color and shapes.

The first is a study of a painting by J.W. Waterhouse, the second is derivative from a photograph

Wrapping it Up...

2009-07-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Just about finished with this one, I may define the arm a little more, I haven't decided.
I have had fun while painting this one, playing around with high chroma colors and paint textures. Again, this is 12" x 16", oil on panel.

Update

2009-06-30T07:56:00.001-07:00

An update to this nude...I hope to tighten up a few details and call it finished soon..

Members Only Show---Charlotte Art League

2009-06-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have one drawing, a nude, that will be displayed in this show. If you're out and about this Friday, July 3rd, stop by the art league to see some great work from Charlotte Art League's finest members :)

Finally, a Website!

2009-06-25T13:54:00.000-07:00

www.jessicadehart.com

There it is...it's official, I finally have a website for my artwork. Most of the paintings and drawings I have recently finished are on there. Have a look; check it out :)

A Nude in the Middle

2009-06-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Red Hair, Red Rose, 12"x 16", oil on board
(photo reference: mjranum)

I started this painting while working on the two portraits for my series. The two portraits have been pretty demanding, so this one was a bit less stressful for me. I will probably work on it a little more. I want to keep it pretty loose and fresh and not get tied down with the details.

The Mirror---Edited Twice

2009-06-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

The Mirror, after two more edits, the second image is where the painting is right now. I am much happier with the face overall. I just need to push my value range some more and that should pull it together.
I changed the position of her right arm; still some tweaking to do there.
Slowing my mind down and spending more time with this has really helped. I hope to start the third painting for this series soon; I'm excited to execute the idea for it :)

I'm Getting There

2009-06-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

I took a small break from a couple of paintings, this being one of them. I am really trying to slow down and push my paintings further. So far, it seems to be working. I am a lot happier with this one. The mouth needs to be reworked...I'll get there :)

With the Birds (Update)

2009-05-29T08:41:00.001-07:00

An update to the painting I am working on...as part of a current series. This is 24" x 18", oil on board. Little bit of improvement and lots of work to do still. I am trying to slow down and really observe and make appropriate changes where necessary.

Two MORE Nudes

2009-05-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed painting all of these nudes lately...they are fun and are a nice break from the recent series of paintings I am currently working on...

The first image is 10.5" x 6.5", the second is 14" x 11", both pastel.

With the Birds

2009-05-21T08:19:00.001-07:00

Just a working title...
This is the second painting in the series I am working on, the other is The Mirror (see post below). I am still sorting out my ideas or this series, so I am unsure how many paintings it will take to get my message "across". I have ideas for at least two more paintings, so we shall see...

Just a working title...

Nudes Reversed

2009-05-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

First image is 5" x 7", pastel and pastel pencil. Second is 12" x 16", charcoal pencil and pastel pencil. The reference image is actually the same, just from different angles. I really am happy with the frontal image. I have been thinking about "saying" without saying too much, trying to not overwork the painting. I am getting closer to where I want to be with that; her face may be slightly overworked, but I'm happy overall :)

The Mirror

2009-05-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Mirror, 18" x 24", oil on board. I hope what's in my mind is coming through the painting. This is the first painting as a part of a series; I believe the "message" within the series will come through stronger when the paintings are displayed together. However, I also feel this painting stands strong on its own.

I am very excited to share my recent work, and I will post updates/ new paintings soon :)

Paul Baudry Study

2009-05-12T06:48:00.001-07:00

A study I'm working on...original artist was Paul Baudry, painting entitled The Red Rose. My version is approximately 22" x 12", pastels.

Framed...Matted...Hanging on the Wall

2009-05-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

It really does make a difference to see your work framed and ready to be presented...this is a little pastel painting I recently worked on, it is 5" x 7". As the post title suggests, I have already matted and framed it, and it is hanging in my studio as I type this. There is a show I may enter it into, I haven't decided just yet what work I will submit.

"Make a Plan to Love Me"

2009-04-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Some more work on this one, I came up with the title for it the other day; I think it really fits. This is 6" x 9", oil on board. I may be finished with it. I'm going to wait a few days and see if anything comes up that I would like to change.

Two Nudes

2009-04-27T10:33:00.001-07:00

Two nudes...these were fun to draw and I got to play around with color a bit :)

Both are pastel.

Update to the Girl in a Red Tunic

2009-04-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

Here are two progress shots from this painting which I have been working on for a good bit now. The first picture is the newest version; it is 18" x 24" on board. I am getting closer to finishing it. She has been a little of a challenge to paint, original reference from a photograph...

Major Updates to the Pastel Nude

2009-04-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am just about finished with this one, it has been fun to draw. I plan on reworking the mouth a little and pushing a few of the shadows and lights a little more. It is 12" x 16", pastels on gessoed Canson pastel paper.

New Pastel

2009-04-08T14:44:00.001-07:00

Just started...12"x16", soft pastels

Jennifer's Pregnancy Drawings Framed :)

2009-04-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here are the two drawings I did of my friend, Jennifer, framed. They were in a woman themed show last month and I didn't get around to taking photos of them while they were in the gallery. So, I put them under one of those spotlights in our living room for a similar effect.

Update on the Charcoal Drawing

2009-04-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here is an update to the drawing I started this past weekend, I think it's finished :)

Two Works in Progress :)

2009-03-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Two Works in Progress...the first one is 12" x 16", charcoal and charcoal pencils. The second one is 18" x 24", oil on board. I really like the direction in which both of these are heading and I can't wait to finish them :)

Finished 6"x6"

2009-03-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a small one I finished a couple of weeks ago...it is 6" x 6", oil on board. I really enjoyed painting this little one, and I hope to paint some more nudes within this size.

It's been almost a month!

2009-03-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

Here is a painting that is currently in progress...it is 12" x 16". I have a few others I have been working on, and should post updates on those soon.

It has been a whirlwind of a month, I've moved and that has taken a lot of my energy, but I have found time to work on some new paintings, which is good.

I finished the two portraits of my pregnant friend, Jennifer. Actually, she isn't pregnant anymore. She had a little girl almost three weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet Lillian (Lily) this weekend, and she is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen :)

And, further, those two portraits are framed and are hanging in a woman-themed show at the Charlotte Art League at this very moment...

Update on Jennifer

2009-02-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

An update to the Work In Progress of my friend, Jennifer.

Another Pregnant One!

2009-02-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

Another portrait, of my friend, Jennifer. Soft pastels, 12" x 16" I'm happy with the direction it is heading into :)

Update on Jennifer

2009-02-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

A few edits on this one...

Update on Nude

2009-02-17T12:12:00.000-08:00

I made some edits...

Another Nude

2009-02-12T08:37:00.001-08:00

This is another nude I started; it is actually of the same model and pose as the last nude I did, just a different angle. Female nudes are definitely one of my favorite subjects to paint or draw. Reference material for it, however, is not always as easy to come by.
I hope that, soon, I can sign up for a figure drawing class to further my skills and to get some regular life drawing in. Drawing/ painting from life is one of the best things you can do as an artist, as it improves your skills and your seeing/ observing abilities.
Looking at this now, I think I will go back in and add some yellow, as it is looking very pink at the moment.
This is 12" x 16" on Mi-Teintes, soft pastel.

Jennifer

2009-02-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

This is of a good friend of mine, Jennifer, who is obviously pregnant. She is due at the beginning of next month. She graciously allowed me to take tons of pictures of her.

I think pregnancy is such a beautiful experience; a miracle of the human body in itself.

This is 12" x 16", soft pastels on Mi-Teintes, a work in progress.

"Girl with a Pearl Scarf"

2009-02-10T13:20:00.001-08:00

This is a recent drawing, made with soft pastels on Mi- Teintes. It measures 12" x 13".

Ref photo from a good friend of mine, Jennifer.

I really like the palette of this: the girl is pale so a lot of the same coloring she has in her skin can be found in the scarf around her.

"On the Green" For Sale

2009-02-09T08:57:00.001-08:00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=120376116833

Ebay Listings

2009-02-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=120375184297
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=120375180680
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=120374247494

A Portrait in Shadow

2009-01-29T15:18:00.000-08:00

This is a portrait, from chalk pastels, I started last night. I found this image in WetCanvas' Reference Image Library a while back, and have wanted to paint/ draw it. I am pretty happy with the direction it is heading in; I have to adjust the shadow on the side of her face and elongate the bridge of her nose.

Edits---"In the Snow"

2009-01-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

Here are two edits to "In the Snow". I have to admit, I am struggling with this painting a bit. This is not my usual subject matter. The background is the main element that has been a challenge. The ref photo I am using is out of focus and so I made the background out of shapes and colors, rather than painting specific objects. I think I went a little overboard with the blue in the snow as well. I'm sure I'll get there, it will just take me a little longer to get where I want to be with this.

Something Different..."In the Snow"

2009-01-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

Something different...in terms of subject matter and technique. Other than the birds I have painted and a drawing of hunting dogs I did in high school, I have not painted wildlife. So, that in itself, is different for me.

And, I am really trying to slow myself down when painting. I am typically a pretty fast painter and I think that leads me to trying to finish a painting before I even start it. I am trying to work more tonally and build value and form gradually. It's not always easy to try and retrain your brain. But I can try...

This is 24" x 18" on linen, oils, a fairly limited paint palette.

Nude---Another Edit

2009-01-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is after a couple more edits. I am happy with most of what is going on in the figure, there are a few things I would like to tweak here and there. I am not terribly pleased with the background at this point..too many colors for my personal taste. I hope to work some more on it soon and simplify the background and work more on the edges.

A Nude

2009-01-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this a few days...nudes are definitely one of my favorite subjects to paint. This has been fun so far, this is a very warm paint palette, as you can see. I got a new tube of Grumbacher Red and it is definitely a very warm and overpowering paint color. I am trying to decide now whether to subdue the red and only have a few "moments" of it or to keep the red and leave this nude as very intense.
This is oil, 12" x 16" on linen.

"On the Green"

2009-01-09T08:01:00.001-08:00

This is another painting that has become one of my favorites. I worked on this and finished it over the holidays as well. I bought a barnwood frame for it, so I'm excited to see it in the frame. This painting has also been submitted for a competition/ show. It's the first male figure I think I have painted since college.

Oil, 16" x 20" on board

The Green Lady (Finished)

2009-01-09T07:58:00.001-08:00

I finished this one over the holidays. This is one of my favorite paintings to date. I submitted it for a competition and show, so I'm crossing my fingers :) Oil, 14" x 11" on board

The Green Lady and the Paperdoll

2008-12-07T07:12:00.001-08:00

Here are two paintings I worked on yesterday. I have been painting on both of these off and on. I am approaching my paintings differently, I am working on more figurative works and am painting the faces last.

I think I get too caught up in the details sometimes and forget to see the work as a whole (can't see the forest for the trees, you could say). I'm always learning something new about myself and my painting skills/ techniques, so in a way, each painting is it's own kind of struggle.

For the Paperdoll painting, the little facial features have given me a time...but I'm pushing through. I'll go back and soften her face a little before calling it completed.

The Green Lady, to me, is one of my most fulfilling paintings I have ever done. Partly because I have shifted my focus from just portraiture to more figurative subjects and because I have altered my approach to painting. But also because I wanted her to convey a certain mood.

Paperdoll is 11" x 14" on canvas, and The Green Lady is 14" x 11" on board.

Waterhouse's Boreas---Final

2008-12-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

I think I am finished with this one, it was a lot of fun to paint :) It is not exactly like Waterhouse's Boreas, but nonetheless, I found it to be a valuable study. I guess you could say it is my interpretation of his painting. This is 24": x 36".

A Small One

2008-12-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

This was a nice break from the large figurative work I am working on...other than the tiny facial features!

This is 6" x 6" on canvas, and a limited palette of zinc white, ivory black, ultramarine blue, and a touch of yellow ochre.

Working on the Figurative Painting

2008-12-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest update on the large painting I am working on, it is 36" x 24" on canvas. I see a few things now that I want to work on/ adjust.

Next in the Series

2008-11-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

This is my newest painting, which makes four paintings that I have going on at the same time :)

I am painting this from a photograph that one of my friends took and let me use.

So far, the colors are very bright and intense. I will go back into it once this layer dries and tone it down a little and add highlights. I haven't decided about the green background yet. I like the green against flesh tones, it makes for a nice contrast, to me anyways.

As I said in an earlier post, my work always starts out so messy now. I used to be more meticulous and calculated when I would start a painting, but now I am definitely more "haphazard" and gestural when starting a new painting.

This is 36" x 24" on canvas, a color palette of zinc white, light red, yellow ochre light, permanent green deep, cad yellow, and ivory black...more color in this painting than the rest of my latest work :)

Yellow (Second Session)

2008-11-28T08:36:00.001-08:00

This is Yellow, after my second painting session with her. Again, the painting is much lighter in real life than it is on here. I am pretty happy with her at the moment, just have to go back and make an adjustment to her mouth (again).

This is 11" x 14" on board.

THANKSGIVING SALE!!!

2008-11-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

I am featuring a Thanksgiving Sale in my Etsy shop this weekend, Thursday through Saturday (November 27th through December 1st). I am offering 20% off the total amount.

Just put the Promo Code "BLACK FRIDAY" in the comments box, and I will adjust the price accordingly.

Happy Shopping!!! www.jessica7.etsy.com

Waterhouse (Third Session)

2008-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

This is the painting after the third session of painting. I worked more on the grass and the background. I also worked on her cloak and a little more on her face. I took this picture outside so the yellow inside her cloak is actually the sunlight shining through. I need to go back and put a little more paint there, haha :)

They always start out so messy!!!

2008-11-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

This is a new painting I started on last night and worked on some today. I took a picture for MYSELF and wasn't going to show it to anyone, haha, but then I decided what the heck.

It is in the very messy and ugly stage. This is usually how I start a painting, just getting basic tones and shapes in. Then once it dries or starts to dry, I go back in and start to tighten things up a bit. I can see on here I have a correction to make with her nose to mouth proportions. Also, the painting is a LOT lighter in real life than it is on here. I was going to lighten it up on Photoshop, but that made it way too light and not true to it's real colors.

This is a limited palette of zinc white, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre light. It's 11x14 on board.

More Work on Terra Rosa

2008-11-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

Haha, that's what I'm calling this painting for now, "Terra Rosa". I like some of the changes I have made to this, but I also don't like some things. The actual painting is not this dark in real life either. Again, this is 11x14 on board, with a limited palette of zinc white and terra rosa.

It seems I can only flourish...

2008-11-18T10:55:00.000-08:00

...by taking on multiple series at a time. I don't know if it's because I have so many ideas in my head at one time or if it's because I don't like getting tied down to one specific subject. Technically, they are all related and can feed one another, all being figurative, that is. I am still pursuing a Dancer series, Waterhouse studies, and now more of a storytelling aspect with this new series.

I have a ton of reference photos to use for this new series, and I have a pretty good idea of what story I want to tell, just haven't figured out all of the small details yet.

So far, this is a very limited palette zinc white and tetra rosa. I am thinking of adding in very little of cobalt violet, to just the darkest shadows. But, I haven't decided yet as I am pretty happy with what I have painted so far. Just have some tweaking to do.

This is 11" x 14" on board.

Waterhouse (Second Session)

2008-11-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

More work on the Waterhouse study. I have a lot more to do, but I am happy with the direction it is going. I am really enjoying painting this. It really is a beautiful work of art to be inspired by. A figurative work with such a story to tell. One could definitely use the premise of the painting as a metaphor for the current situation the world is in.

Study of Waterhouse

2008-11-12T13:06:00.001-08:00

So, I just started this copy of Waterhouse's Boreas. It is 24" x 30" on canvas. I did adjust the composition of my painting by pushing the figure over to the right of the picture plane more. I do believe this painting will take a few more sessions before I become content with it. I have never copied an old master's painting to this extent or detail before. And, my paintings never have this much green in them either. So I am mixing a ton of green paint, as I don't buy green or any any of the other secondary colors.

I decided to recreate this particular Waterhouse because it engages me and intrigues me the most, out of all of his work. I think it is the figure and how she is caught in a moment of emotion and wind (literal and metaphorical).

The Pre-Raphaelites have always interested me, with subject matter and the storytelling within their work.

I know I want to work on her face and her body, in general, more, and make my colors more "gem-like" and layered.

She's just a paperdoll, that's all

2008-11-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

This is a new painting I have been playing around with...she reminds me of a paperdoll, hence the blog title. This is 11" x 14" on canvas, with a limited palette of titanium white, ultramarine blue and burnt sienna.

Opening of New Art Museum!

2008-11-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

I went to the new art museum opening in Roanoke, Virginia yesterday with some friends. It is the Taubman Museum of Art, and the opening was a pretty big deal in town this weekend.

Here is a link to the museum's website: http://www.taubmanmuseum.org/

Above are some pics of my favorite artwork they have on exhibit, as part of the permanent collection.

More work on the Dancer series

2008-11-04T14:00:00.001-08:00

I worked on these again today. The first two have a palette of ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. I have a little more tweaking to do with those two.

The third painting here is finished, I believe. I will leave it sitting out for a few days so I can keep an eye on it. This painting was made with one of my favorite color palettes: titanium white, ultramarine blue, and burnt sienna.

More work from the new series

2008-11-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

I have worked more on this painting, and for now, it is finished. There are a few things I may go back in and tweak, but for the most part, I'm happy with it.

New Series

2008-10-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

A series I am working on.....rather large paintings with lots of ideas...

Even more dancers...

2008-10-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here are two oil paintings that are currently on my easel...one is 9x12, and the other is 11x14. I am working with a different color palette this time around: ultramarine blue, titanium white, alizarin crimson, and a hint of lemon yellow.

More Dancers! (In Graphite)

2008-10-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

So, continuing with the ballerina theme, I have these three graphite drawings. These were fun to draw. Again, I am working with a looser style. I am so used to oil paints by now, my drawing style has definitely changed!

First in my new series

2008-10-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

So, I am going back to painting and drawing dancers, specifically ballerinas, as they are one of my favorite subjects to create. I personally took dance lessons for ten years; that may be where my passion for dancers started.
Dancers are so whimsical, light and fun to watch and observe.
Here is the first painting, with this subject, lots more to come :D

Details for Below

2008-10-01T18:23:00.001-07:00

Details for the finished painting below...

Oranges!

2008-10-01T18:18:00.001-07:00

These were fun to paint...reflections ;) I definitely wanted to go with a complementary color palette so that the oranges would really POP...This is 12" x 12" on canvas. I believe this just about completes my fruit series. There may be some tomatoes in my near future, but just studies most likely.

These are for sale in my Etsy store: www.jessica7.etsy.com

Prints on Etsy

2008-09-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have just listed my first print in my Etsy shop. I bought a wide format printer last week and all of the accessories that go with it. I made prints of some of my more popular paintings. I posted one of the painting Bowl of Cherries today.
You can find the print here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15754002

Another new portrait :)

2008-09-30T17:23:00.001-07:00

This is another of the large portraits I have recently finished. This was the last one I painted and it is definitely my favorite. The canvas is 24" x30" and I used a rendition of the Zorn palette again.

This series, to me, was an exploration in color, mood, beauty and female portraiture. Each of the four paintings in the series represent something different on their own, yet are united by scale and paint palette.

I also had fun playing with how they would be arranged on a wall. Based on each painting's position, the four together can tell different stories.

Large Portrait (detail)

2008-09-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is a detail from the painting I posted below. The eyes, I believe, really draw the viewer in, which is something I definitely wanted to achieve.

More of New Series :)

2008-09-23T08:09:00.001-07:00

I just recently finished a series of rather large portraits. This is the third in the set of four. Again, working with the Zorn palette, and trying to achieve different moods and techniques with it.

Birthday Present

2008-09-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

This is a bird portrait that I worked on a while back. I brought it back out on Monday to touch up a few things. I am waiting for it to dry so I can frame it and then I will give it to my grandmother for her birthday. She turned 77 years on Monday, September 15th. I gave her a print on Monday so she could have something until the actual painting dries.

Detail from New Work

2008-09-14T07:11:00.001-07:00

This is a detail from the large portrait I just started (see below). There is some freshness I would like to keep with some of the brushstrokes I have made so far, but there is also some refinement that needs to take place.

New Work

2008-09-14T07:07:00.001-07:00

Just started this yesterday. Still working with the Zorn palette, experimenting with those color choices. This is rather large, 24"x30". I hope to paint three all together; there is an exhibit I want to submit these to.
This image somehwat haunts me. I think it is a combination of the subject matter and the palett choice. Stay tuned...more to follow tomorrow :)

Study Detail

2008-09-09T14:51:00.001-07:00

Detail shown here from post below.

Another Study

2008-09-09T14:46:00.001-07:00

This is another study for the portrait series I am about to plunge into. I am planning on doing three large paintings about life and the internal psychological processes we have clicking away day to day. More studies to be posted later...

New Portrait

2008-09-08T18:25:00.001-07:00

Here is a study for a larger painting I plan to do. I am working with the Zorn palette on this one, but with cad red, not vermillion. I am also currently working on my painted edges, so I am exploring different techniques with those as well. I read somewhere that if you work from a photograph, to have it slightly out of focus, so you can have blur your edges easier. And, if you work from life, to squint, and that basically will have the same effect.

Etsy Shop Opened

2008-09-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have opened an Etsy shop. Kind of like Ebay, but better, at least in my opinion. I am selling paintings on there currently. I plan on adding some new drawings to it soon. Additionally, I will be getting some prints made of my most "acclaimed" work and placing those for sale as well.

Here is a link to my shop: http://www.jessica7.etsy.com/

Limited Palettes

2008-08-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

So, I have been researching like crazy lately, looking up different painting palettes and new approaches to seeing and painting. The research is more tedious than actually sitting in front of an easel all day, but I think the work will definitely pay off.
In college, we, as students, were introduced into oil painting with exercises with limited palettes. Of course being the headstrong and impatient student that I was, I would say that I didn't appreciate these beginning lessons as much as I should have. In addition, in my Advanced Painting course we spent a good part of the class making color charts. We could each pick a warm primary palette, a cool primary palette, or a Rembrandt palette. The "Rembrandt" palette we used consisted of yellow ochre, ivory black, and aliziron crimson, and white. So I chose the Rembrandt palette.
It is not until now that I realized I should have taken more advantage of those color theory lessons. Because I am more interested in limited color palettes than ever before. Yes, I have the tedious color charts somewhere packed up still. But it's like I didn't see the color charts as a means to an end; I just saw them as a time consuming exercise, that to me, would have been better spent painting the figure.
So, here I am, kicking myself for not paying more attention in my art classes. So I am aggressively looking into restricted palettes and reteaching myself.
I started a portrait on board yesterday using the Zorn palette: http://americanartist.typepad.com/american_artist/2006/06/swedens_sargent.html
This palette is attributed to him but there is some speculation as to whether he did or did not use it. Nonetheless, it is a very interesting choice of color: yellow ochre, cad red or vermillion, ivory black, and titanium white. Great skin tones can be achieved and there is no true blue. Ivory black has a bluish tint to it when mixed with the white. And, when the black is mixed with the white to make a grey and placed next to an orange made with the red, yellow and white, it is said to appear blue to the eye.
Whether or not this palette will work for me for experimentation uses, only time and my efforts can tell...

Series of Shells

2008-08-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Summer Finds, 6x6 each

My parents have baskets of little shells they have collected throughout the years in their house. The shells inspired me to get some little canvasses and paint them. I thought it would be interesting if the small shells were cropped to not accomodate the small size of the canvasses. To make a small object more intimate, if you will. Every object can be a portrait in its own right and that's what I wanted to achieve with this "larger than life" series.

Cheesecake!

2008-08-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

Falling Cherries, 10x10

First one completed in the Dessert series. This is 10x10 on canvas. There is an apple pie in the kitchen and I think I am going to go for that for the next in the series.

I have a few different things going on now, so my attention is in a few different places at the time, as far as paintings go. But I think that's the best thing for me for my work ethic. I wont get tied down to one painting and can always see things with new eyes.

Sunflowers

2008-08-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't painted flowers in a while, this one is finished.

Jessica and Josh

2008-08-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Large portrait, this was actually completed in December of 2007.

Ball and Glove

2008-08-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

My little brother's ball and glove, as inspired by his obsessionwith the sport.

Baby Robin

2008-08-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

I believe this is the last one of the bird series :)

Jacks!

2008-08-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is the second painting for a three part series...the marbles are the first painting and the third painting is going to be some old spinning tops...ths is for a commission.

A Bluebird

2008-06-06T06:54:00.001-07:00

This is a painting I finished just last night of a bluebird. 14x11 on canvas

Young Robin

2008-06-06T06:52:00.001-07:00

This is a close up of a young robin I finished a couple of days ago. I've really gotten in to painting little fuzzy cute birds. 11x14 on canvas.