Welcome to My Scene

"My Scene" is sharing a finished painting or my 3 step process to a finished painting using photographs or sketches. Asking, how can I make this scene or subject mine from refrences that hold my attention longer than 5 minutes. Some photographs are just....photographs not paintable interesting subjects. So let's began and hope you enjoy your painting experience........JoBeth

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Still Life Class...

My definition of a still life is anything not moving which just about takes care of most subjects.

St. Francis Hotel, Santa Fe, was my reference photograph. It was actually taken from the sidewalk looking in but I visualized the waiting table from inside.

On Arches #140 paper, I decided on a a low key painting. Wanting the darks to stay as dark as possible it was necessary to paint on dry paper. I used every dark value on my palette....painting around whites and any value that would become a mid value. The shadows were painted at random thinking about shape not actual cast shadow. To finalize, negative darks were painted and calligraphy marks....this was fun and that's what it's all about.
The photos below were other's having fun......or maybe not....


Brenda with one more stroke of green...

Diane's brush with negative shape





Linda and Donnie comparing notes...















from the palette of Adriana.....












Saturday, July 9, 2011

Exercises..no not Pilate's!!!




















These are warm up studies I often do...to motivate myself to paint. These are painted with a 2 inch flat brush....no pencil drawing...just shapes. This helps to loosen up and use my imagination, I see you laughing that is if you know me. Great for exploring new colors or color schemes...most are painted on the back of those paintings you don't want anyone to see after your gone....

Friday, July 8, 2011

Unfortunately...some things just don't linger on your palette
like dark chocolate....this was one of those