Using Mixed Paint

If you have been following my blogs you know that I had quite a bit of mixed flesh paint that I have been trying to use before it drys up.  Today's painting is another photo that I have been wanting to paint for quite some time.  It is of a Construction Manager and his Superintendent discussing an issue on the job site.  I loved the Construction Manager's body language.  Scratching his head trying to come up with a solution.  I also liked the shadows as they hit the unfinished wall.  The contrast of dark and light always makes me want to paint a subject.

This particular photograph was taken in Montevallo, AL in 2011.  I was told there was an issue that the window design did not allow the brick that will be added to the structure to sit properly.  They did work out a solution that day.  As with painting there is always new designs that will be considered in construction projects to make a great finished product.  I hope this will be the first of many construction paintings.

8x16 Dilemma, Professional Grade Acrylics

Inspired Photo

Growth is a Good Thing

As an artist I want to always be growing in knowledge to make the best art I can make.  I do believe it will take a lifetime.

Today's share comes after I was commissioned to paint something for a friend who's grand child is due in July.  The painting commissioned required I mix flesh tones, since the painting was a large 20x24, I mixed a large pile of paint.  The painting did not need as much as I had mixed which left me with quite a bit left over.  So being the frugal artist (you know the always starving artist) I looked for a painting subject from my "one day I want to paint this" list and did a couple of figure paintings.  The first one was this one of my Granddaughter.  I have not shared it with you as I did not want to spoil the surprise for her mother.  You see this was her Mother's Day Gift from me.  Schedules being challenging it took several weeks for us to finally get family time with my son and his family to give her this painting.  I am happy with the results.  Especially since I consider my best paintings are Still Life paintings.

I do have a lot to learn about painting portraits, like mixing the right flesh and hair colors. With the success of this piece I have painted several more figure pieces.  I used more of the left over flesh paint from my commission piece mentioned above.    The post before this one you are reading was the second figure piece I did.  Did you see my "Last Dance" inspired by M. Fisher's painting.  It was done after this one.

I love that I have been able to use my mixed paint and to do art that I have always wanted to do.  However, the best part is I am growing.

8x8 Professional Grade Acrylics

Photo taken 2015