I finished this locket a couple months ago, but just today realized I never posted it to my blog, so here you go.
These mini-paintings created in brown ink on watercolor paper are each about 3/4″ across and 1″ tall. The oval filigree locket which holds the paintings is 1.5″ tall and 1.25″ wide when closed.
This was created on commission.
I worked on two paintings tonight. One is a continuation of the Diana Portraits project, where I laid down a second underpainting layer on a new test portrait. It’s just a field of olivy green, so it’s not really interesting enough to post a photo of that one. The other painting I worked on was the Complete Contentment Celtic piece, which is finally nearing completion. I think it just needs some more treatment on the outer edge.
Complete Contentment – WIP 10
5″x7″ oil paint on masonite board
On this layer (actually done in two sittings), I painted the dark brown border around the knotwork, and went over the outside edge with an opaque orange paint to hide some smudging. It will probably need another layer around the outside, as well as some other edge treatment, but it’s nearly finished.
For the record, I cannot for the life of me take true photos of the colors of my paintings at night in my home. This is not actually solid orange. :/
Project: Complete Contentment
Wonder of wonders, on Thursday the 4th of October I finally sat down and got out my oil paints for the first time since moving to Las Vegas. The transition has been a difficult one for me, and my health problems continue to have a tremendous impact on my ability to work. With a little luck and a lot of determination, I hope to put out artwork and sewing at a more consistent pace. Thank you for staying with me during this difficult time.
The main purpose of getting out the paints was to work on the cover art for Mermaid Drowning, which must be finished before the end of October. While I had the paints out, I also worked on a couple other things. Primarily, I spent time adding shading to Complete Contentment, but I also put down an underpainting layer for another color/style test for the commissioned family portraits I started last winter.
Complete Contentment – WIP9
5″x7″ Masonite board
Oil paint
8 sittings
For this layer I added shading on the mouse and its tail.
Project: Complete Contentment
This morning I finished the large version of a logo for Pawsitive Memories, a pet hospice and memorial service based out of San Antonia, Texas. The 7″x10″ proof version was scanned for use as their logo, and the 16″x20″ large painting is ready for framing.
Both paintings are painted in watercolor on watercolor paper.
I am honored to have been chosen to paint the new logo for such a wonderful business.
Yesterday I created a few more mini-paintings on jewelry items, which I will have for sale at Clockwork Alchemy this coming weekend. They have all been varnished and are ready to go.
Starry Raven in Brass Dotted Pendant
This mini-painting created in ink is roughly 1/2″ across and 3/4″ tall. The entire pendant is 3/4″ wide and 1″ tall. The foundation is a commercially purchased cameo-backing. The mini-painting is on watercolor paper, glued to the pendant with archival glue. It is varnished with archival museum varnish.
Brown Boots on Large Gold-Tone Pin
This mini-painting created in brown ink is about 1.25″ across and 1″ tall. The mini-painting is on watercolor paper, glued to the pin with archival glue. It is varnished with archival museum varnish.
Mr. and Mrs. Cats in Heart Locket
These mini-paintings created in brown ink on watercolor paper are each about 3/4″ across and 3/4″ tall. The vintage heart locket which holds the paintings is 1″ tall and 1″ wide when closed.
Brown Clockwork Doll in Large Brass Pendant
This mini-painting created in brown ink is about 1″ across and 1.25″ tall. The mini-painting is on watercolor paper, glued to the pendant with archival glue. It is varnished with archival museum varnish.
Brown Paper and Feather Pen in Book Locket
These mini-paintings created in brown ink on watercolor paper are each about 1/2″ across and 3/4″ tall. The book shaped locket which holds the paintings is 1″ tall and 3/4″ wide when closed, and has a small scroll engraving on the front.
Coffee and Biscuits in Oval Locket
These mini-paintings created in brown ink on watercolor paper are each about 1/2″ across and 3/4″ tall. The oval locket which holds the paintings is 1″ tall and 3/4″ wide when closed, and has a small scroll engraving on the front.
Silver Rose on Brass Pendant
This mini-painting created in ink is roughly 1/2″ across and 3/4″ tall. The entire pendant is 3/4″ wide and 1″ tall. The foundation is a commercially purchased cameo-backing. The mini-painting is on watercolor paper, glued to the pendant with archival glue. It is varnished with archival museum varnish.
6″x9″
Original colored pencil on black paper
This drawing depicts a lion, calm, eyes closed, basking in light, unconcerned master of his domain.
Reference: I close my eyes for a while
This drawing is for sale.
I spent four hours this afternoon painting, finished the test portrait for Diana, and worked on two other paintings, a Celtic knotwork piece and a still life.
Click for larger
Complete Contentment – WIP8
5″x7″ Masonite board
Oil paint
7 sittings
For this layer I added orange shading on the cat’s knot work.
Project: Complete Contentment
Click for larger
Samhain Candles – WIP3
11″x14″ oil paint on canvas board
4 sittings
I finally purchased some warm hue black (lamp black) and used it to darken the shading in the background. I did not make any other changes, but the previous WIP was overall a bit darker than the actual painting.
I am now happy with the background, and in the next sitting will move on to the still life objects.
Project: Samhain Candles
Oil paint on gallery wrapped canvas, 9″x12″x2″
Six sessions
Reference: One of my own photos of Ringo
The finished painting is a portrait of a magical familiar, a black cat who aids with magical tasks.
For the final layer I thinly added white to create glow from the eye, and from behind.
Familiar - WIP4
Oil paint on gallery wrapped canvas, 9″x12″x2″
Five sessions
Reference: One of my own photos of Ringo
I added some white detailing around the eye, as well as the whiskers above the eyes. I then stared at the overall painting for a bit, because I was very, very unhappy with the entire composition of the lighting. I wanted to give the appearance that the eyes are glowing, but it looked very confusing with the back lighting being so strong. Thus, I colored over all the backlighting with a thin layer of black, also adding some shade detailing around the muzzle.
Familiar - WIP3
Oil paint on gallery wrapped canvas, 9″x12″x2″
Four sessions
Reference: One of my own photos of Ringo
I finally figured out how to get detailed fur texture in paint, so it’s an interesting contrast in the level of detail around the eye and on the rest of the painting.
Familiar - WIP 2
This afternoon I added a third layer to this painting I started about two years ago. It is oil paint on gallery wrapped canvas, 9″x12″x2″.
Project: Familiar
7″x10″ brush marker on paper.
This new drawing is a minimal interpretation of a tiger by his black markings.
