Pearl Earring

Oils on Board 18" x 12"

After Vermeer.

One of my favourites so of course I had to paint it.  As usual I have not quite finished, but I'm pleased with how its going. I never thought I would be able to paint it and I always put it off until now. 

This is my first attempt at Girl with the Pearl Earring and it was very hard painting in layers because I am not a patient person and usually paint alla prima.  Quite a learning curve!

I would like to improve the skin tones, but hey, I'm just getting started and still so much to learn!

Iris

Oils on canvas board 12" x 10" (Unfinished)

Still a way to go with this, but it was fun trying - another great weekend!  This is becoming a bit of a habit :) but a good one I'm pleased to say.

I wish I could devote more time to painting, it's so very enjoyable and I would really love to improve.  Improvement comes only with diligent practice and a grim determination to continue the journey no matter what the obstacles.

Orchids

Oils on Canvas board 16" x 12"

Sorry about the glare on this one, I will try to get a better photo soon.  Orchids are so elegant and beautiful they called to me to paint them.  I just wish I could do them justice, but "never give up" is my motto and therefore I will be attempting another painting soon.

I may even go back to work on this one too.  It was not easy, but then nothing good ever is.  I will stand it where I can see it and let my mind work out what needs to be done.

Time spent thinking and dreaming is never time wasted.

Pink Hydrangeas

Oils on canvas board 12" x 10"

Quickly did this little one last night in poor light and alla prima!  Quite pleased with it -  I like elements of it, like the background and the pot.  I think I am learning with backgrounds, but now I would like to improve on painting flowers.

Breaking things down into elements, focussing on one part at a time is much easier than worrying about a large problem.  You just have to nibble away bit by bit until finally there is no problem at all.  When I paint I try to improve one part at a time until I am confident with it, then I focus on another element.  It works for me.

Yellow Begonias

Oils on Canvas 16" x 12"

Just finished this one that I had begun some time ago.  Increased the dark/light contrast and added definition without losing the painterly feel that I have come to enjoy.  I hope you like it too.

Sometimes it takes a while to actually see clearly what needs to be done.  Patience brings its own rewards.  Like a good wine clarity takes time and cannot be hurried or forced, but being patient is well worth the wait.  I am glad I did not hurry this one.

Cyclamen on Canvas

Oils on canvas 16" x 12"

Two weekends in a row I have managed to fit in some painting time... Wow, I could be on a roll here!

I really enjoyed getting the contrast of light and dark in this.  I know the flowerheads could do with a little more work, but overall I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

I've had a great weekend.  Yesterday was family day which was wonderful and today devoted to painting!  Yay!

Geraniums

Oils on canvas board 16" x 12"

Today was the first time in such a long time that I made time to paint. It was an amazing feeling being back at the easel, smelling those glorious smells that come with painting in oils and just forgetting everything else but the process.

It's just a start, nothing fab, but I love it anyway partly because it is the first in too long a time and secondly, because geraniums always remind me of my childhood when my dad enjoyed growing them and always of course in terracotta pots.

I hope this is the beginning of my return to painting.  I have missed it so much.