Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Cinco Caballos ("Five Horses")

12x24 oil/canvas

I've had a heck of a time working out the background on this one. And now that I've photographed it, I can see some changes need to be made. So, expect this one in a revised form soon.  This photo isn't that great, anyway.

Well, back to cooking supper !!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tea and Beatrix Potter

12x24 oil on canvas

 I haven't done still life for several months.  I found this one in the closet a couple of days ago - had completely forgotten about it.  It was still unfinished, and I had gotten disgruntled because I just wasn't happy with it - so, into the closet it went!
Well, repainting an old canvas sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't.   You can lose the transparency (which did happen here to some extent) and certainly the freshness... But I think, overall, the re-painting (actually, just replacing one object with another) helped this one and it is at least salvageable.  Where the little Beatrix Potter books are now, used to be the saucer from the teacup.  The round, white shape was too repetitive with the cup, and drew too much attention away from the copper pot, which is really the star.  The books are there, but they whisper instead of shout.  And besides, who doesn't like Beatrix Potter?   The one on top is "the Tale of Benjamin Bunny" - one of my favorites.  Her watercolor illustrations are so delightful.