Painting A Fall Still Life

"Fall Still Life" 16"x20" Oil on Canvas

I have been wanting to paint a pumpkin as the main subject for a long time. I have to admit it was a lot of fun. I love the big orange shape and all the warm colors. I am starting to feel some what competent with still lifes. I did a few smaller studies that are 6"x8" of the same scene as a warm up. I may paint it again in a different arrangement.

Maybe as winter sets in I will do a few winter still lifes.

Playing With My Food

Still Life 12"x12" Oil on Canvas

My Mother used to say, "don't play with your food". Well not that I always listened to her, but now I can do it and get away with it. How fun is that?
Everyday items can be great subject matter for paintings. Not only do they create a response on some level for the viewer, but in this case it serves a double duty. Today's model can be tonight's dinner. Food comes in so many shapes, colors, and sizes. The scenarios are endless for a painting, and it's a subject everyone understands.
What drew me to using the food items I used in this painting is the warm colors and dramatic shape differences. The copper canister was the only non-organic item, but I loved the abstract reflections and it helped complete the composition.

I will be posting more still life along this subject matter as I experiment with shapes, textures, and colors. Until then I am hungry and need to go start dinner.

Painting Snow

"Late Afternoon Light" Oil on Canvas Panel

Ohio normally doesn't get lots of snow in the Cincinnati area. This year has been quite different. It's not that we get huge amounts at one time. We have been getting a small dusting amount up to around 6 inches at a time. It usually melts then we get another round. Last weeks snow has melted already and there is snow once again on the ground. These images are from last weeks snow.

I love painting snow scenes. The older I get the harder it is on my arthritic knees though. It seems I get out less and less and stay out less. I have been trying to take advantage of the snows this year. Below are images of my painting process.


This is a scene directly behind my studio. I used my EasyL for this outing. I love the quick set up and take down it offers. This is the one easel I use the most when plein air painting.

I used mineral spirits and a mixture of alizarin crimson and cad orange as a wash to indicate where things go. I spend very little time doing this.

At this stage I paint in the largest tonal shapes and my shadows.

Here I am still working with and refining the largest tonal shapes and shadows

Once I have all my large shapes in and the canvas covered, I start refining and creating smaller shapes to indicate details and atmosphere.

It's a little blurry in this image but this is the final product.

I am hoping to get even more this winter. Tomorrow I will be painting in the same area. We have about 6 inches on the ground and it is threatening to add a little more tonight and tomorrow. It should be a great day for plein air painting.