drawn but not done

Times Square scene,

100x150cm

oil on canvas

So this is how I start.  I project one of my photos and draw in what I think looks good to me then block in some colors.  This is a large painting that I'll finish when I get back from 5 weeks at the beach in the Mediterranean.  Eat your heart out!  

See you in August.

Easels in Frederick, winners up

Today is the last day for artists to complete their plein air paintings for Easels in Frederick, in Frederick Maryland.  12000 in cash  prizes will be given out to the winners of the selection of artists who are competing. I wish I was there.  I'd pat my mom on the back.  She's presided the volunteer organizing committee.  

rue Vavin

Rue Vavin

oil on canvas 50x100cm

Some paintings paint themselves, this one did.  It feels good to paint Paris again especially this time of year when the light in the sky is blue until after 10pm, the Blue hour.

Here is a photo of the painting a few days ago, note that I start with the brightest colors.

Key On Broadway

Key On Broadway

Oil on Linen

80x101cm

Some paintings take forever, this one was one of them.  I was actually surprised today to find it finished.  There is a key hidden in the painting, thus the title.  Recently I went to Place des Vosges to see the exhibition of Ronald Dupont at the Galerie Artima.  

Dupont's technique is unusual for figurative painting and it is very recognizable.  These paintings had lots of black, I think too much.  Another artist was exhibiting, Fernando Kindélan.  I love his work.  I guess I am a diehard for more of a classical painting technique.  The other artists in the gallery are awesome.

Le Dome

Le Dome

60x60cm oil on linen

The Dome is one of those gorgeous historical cafe's on Boulevard Montparnasse, a great place for a continental breakfast and people watching.  This is another from the series of the Parisien Blue hour.

It feels good to finish a painting.  After all the parties the last few months I was seriously wondering if  I needed to hire some new elves, you know, the ones that paint while I socialize.  Isn't that what artists do? Yes, we hire elves to paint for us. 

Painting on Auction Tomorrow

Tomorrow evening is the AAWE auction - American Wives of Europeans.  I have donated a large painting.
The Select.
Here is the website of the Auction where you can download the catalog and bid even if you are not there.
AAWE auction
The auction will be held at the Hotel de Vanssay 75004 Paris
see the page link above for the photo of the painting

Canal Street and the big news

Canal Street

70x100 cm oil on canvas

Here is the painting that I'm working.  Only details are left, gotta put some depth into space around the figures on the left but the idea is there.  It's been hard to concentrate after the last months preparations for what you see below...

Life is fantastic!  What  a party! 

Out to lunch until May

Hi all, I'd love to be posting paintings but I'm out to lunch temporarily.  See you in May :))

Place Colette - Paris

Place Colette - Paris

60x60 cm, oil on linen.

Who doesn't know Colette, what a femme!

and here is a better photo of the Hotel du Louvre

my palette- work in progress

Recently I was contacted and asked to share my palette.  Here is a photo:

From left to right the colors are:

on top left -Ivory black (it is reddish because the tube I bought was slightly defective, but the color is fantastic - kind of a mixture of cadmium red middle with ivory black), left front is Ivory Black, then second on top left is Prussian blue, Phtalo Green, Ultra Marine blue, Cobalt violet, Quinachridone, Ochre, Permanent Red, Cadmium Red middle, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow middle, Titanium White.  The light green on the left is some color that I bought by mistake and can't remember the name. The  light blue next to it is left over of mixture.  

I use a medium to dilute the oils that consists of 98%  thinner (not turpentine) a few drops of refined linseed oil and a few drops of crystal varnish.  I use cotton rags to clean my brushes with.

When I start a painting I usually begin with the most important colors that set a tone to the painting.   Here is the next night scene of Paris