Portrait in Oils - Step One

Commissioned Portrait

Oil Paints

16 x 20

Baby MayLan

Portrait in Oils - Step One:

I know that this is somewhat hard to see but it is my Step One painting with oils.  I first drew the portrait with a Conte pencil (red brown shade).  Next I added the blue gray underpainting.  Believe it or not we have some blue in our skin color, other than, of course, people of color who do not have blue undertones.  I 'scumbled' the undercoating, because to me, when the undercoating is just painted in the normal fashion it is just to flat for my liking.  

Next I painted what is referred to as 'lean' layer (vs 'fat' layer).  A 'lean' layer of paint is very thin.  The goal is to just block in some color.  I will most likely add a second 'lean' layer and then finally a 'fat' layer which will be a fully loaded brush of paint!

Once this dries, which will take a few days, I will paint the skin.  Mixing the skin tones will be somewhat challenging because this is a babies skin which is smooth and beautiful and has not been exposed to the outside elements.  Until next week!

Art Tip - What to do . . . . .

What to Do with All that Left Over Paint

I'm the person who mixes large globs of paint!  Are you too?  I do this becasue I'm so afraid of running out of that beautiful color I just mixed!  I'd never get that exact color again!  

Oh, before I go on. . . . the purpose of mixing your colors is that no one else in the whole wide world will be able to use that color in their painting which will make your work original.  Sure, do I occassionally use straight from the tube - yes, and so should you if that's your thing, but I have learned that mixing your colors is so much fun!

Ok, so back to mixing large globs of paint and then not needing to use it all:  

1.  You can store it in jars bought from your local hobby store or even those jars that come with your food delivery, as long as they seal tightly.  Acrylics stored this way should last for a few months.

2.  The new way I learned last week, which I can't wait to share with you, is such a cool idea.  I was chatting with one of my art instructors - Lucinda Cobley, who teaches at The Art League Houston,  about this dilemma of throwing away so much paint.  "No, no, no," she says . . . "paint all that paint left on your palette (even the smallest amounts) onto a piece of art paper.  Later when you do a collage, you will have all these pretty colored painted papers that you can cut or tear into interesting shapes to add to you collages! " 

Brilliant, I say, just simply brilliant! 

My Yellow Daisy Painting

My Yellow Daisy

Color Saturated Acrylics on Wrapped Canvas Board

  Ready to hang.  No frame needed.  

Size:  8 x 10

For Sale:  $55.00

(This price includes FREE SHIPPING and your art work

will be bubble wrapped for protection during shipping)!

BUY NOW WITH PAYPAL - CLICK ON RIGHT HAND COLUMN

Purchase a Print at my Fine Art America shop by clicking on the my shop above right under Shops!
Prints as low as $42.00!

After David Hockney....

David Hockney's iArt, British Painter

(drawn on his iPad)

Acrylic

Saturated Painting in Acrylics on Wrapped Canvas Board

  Ready to hang.  No frame needed.  

Size:  16 x 20

For Sale:  $70.00

(This price includes FREE SHIPPING and your art work

will be bubble wrapped for protection during shipping)!

BUY NOW WITH PAYPAL - CLICK ABOVE

Purchase a Print at my Fine Art America shop by clicking on the my shop above right under Shops!

Prints as low as $42.00!

(After David Hockney)

Your Artistic Path . . . .Art Chatter

Discover Your Best Self

"When Alice fell down the rabbit hole, she asked the Cheshire Cat, "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"  "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.  "I don't much care where . . ." said Alice.  "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.  " . . .  so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as explanation.  "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough." - Author: Louis Carroll.

OH MY GOSH - I don't know about you as an artist, but I fight with this almost on a daily basis!  Yes, I want . . . .  (fill in the blank) and then, I would just head out there on my artistic path blind - taking no heed to what my dreams about art were.  

WHY?  You know, I really have no idea why we do this - fear maybe.  

But last winter I tackled a small piece of this issue.  I wrote an artist statement (with help from a pro of course - took a workshop at my local art league) and I am sort of, kindda maybe, heading in the right direction.  No, I think yes, I am heading in the right direction.  But progress is slow because there is so much 'other' life to be lived.  

Let us take the time to sit down, and think about this . . .  what do I want my artistic path to be?  And then let us each figure out how to get there!  Let's read articles from professionals who are doing what we want to do, read books, find a mentor (an on line mentor works!) and then write!  Yes, write - scribble it (ohhh cute - that's part of my blog name!).  Yes, let us have a dedicated note book (from the dollar store - or a fancy hoop la one), just write . . .  write what?  Write all our ideas, all our art dreams . . . 

Maybe together we can make our dreams come true.  Let's not be an Alice heading just out there . . . . . 

Yes, you CAN buy my prints!

Prints Available

This blog sells originals.

To purchase a PRINT of the original please go to FineArtAmerica.com and enter my name: Theresa Honeycheck, or even easier, just click the Fine Art America button on the right side of this blog under "My Shops."

Yes, Fine Art America takes PayPal and all other forms of credit card payments.  

A BIG SHOUT OUT - to my Louisville, KY customer who purchased a 16 x 20 print of Geraniums in a Pot - watercolor.  Whoo Hoo!  Thank you very much!

Self Portrait using Golden Open Acrylics

Self Portrait

16 x 20 

Not for Sale - however - I will do commission work, 

so send me an email if you are interested and we can talk! 

 theresahoneycheck@gmail.com

This is the first time I followed the Great Master's technique of doing a light to the touch under painting.  I chose burnt umber.  What this did for me was provide me with my midtones in the painting and I did not have to worry about painting in all the laugh lines or midtones areas!  Its a wonderful technique that you (if you are a painter) should try. 

Some viewers have commented on how I painted my frameless glasses - I viewed many famous artists work to see how others painted frameless glasses.  I found a painting by John Singer Sargent (amazing artist by the way) and followed his style of just slightly showing an indication that the frameless glasses are there.  I loved the technique and will use it again.  

Sharing my good news!

Sharing my Good News!

I was contacted today by a curator for RAW - an independent arts organization that hosts events across US and around the globe!  

She found my profile while browsing for Houston artists and thinks I will be an excellent fit for their show - and is wondering if I might be interested in participating for Houston's IMPACT showcase coming up this May!  

Wow! I'm waiting on more information and details. Just call me "blown away!"

Painting Like the Old Masters!

Painting Like the Old Master's

Old Master's Technique
with acrylics and 
Matte Medium to thin your paint (no water ever!)

      The deep, rich, velvety darks were 

    achieved by Masters such as Rembrandt by 

     applying many layers of transparent paint.

I started by lightly painted an under painting.  I used burnt umber. I mixed three color piles of paint- light, dark, and most darkest.  When painting this layer, I focused on the details of my painting reference checking for the light and dark areas. 

This layer will determine the proportion of light and shadow in your composition. When painting this underpainting the paint should be almost as thin as watercolors. However, there are always exceptions to the rules - I chose to paint mine slightly thicker than watercolors because it is my hope that my underpainting will show through my layers of transparent paint giving almost an illumination.  

Sketch your picture reference onto your canvas. I have found that using pastel chalk to sketch works best for me.  The pastel will mix with your paint easily.  If you have an occasional pastel mark showing it actually will add to your painting.  

 Next paint your picture making sure to paint the lights, darks, and most dark areas.  Try to blend each area into one another so that there are no hard lines.  Oh by the way, I always mix my acrylics with a matte medium NEVER WATER, because the water dilutes the stickiness of the paint to your canvas.  Use a matte (of if you prefer glossy) medium to mix with your acrylics paint.  However, this can be quite tricky - too much medium will cause your paint to be tacky, so start off with small dabs of the medium in your paint.  If you find it is not moving (flowing) as you like add another small dab.

This is my still life set up that I will begin painting with color.  Notice that I have painted lights, darks and darkest.  

The next step is fairly easy.  Paint in the complete background.   Be sure to mix plenty of paint if you have a large area like I do.  It is better to mix plenty of paint and have some left over than to run out and try to mix another batch the same hue.  

I mix a huge batch because far too often I have run out of paint before I am finished with an area, and I can never quite match the hue again.  When I am finished, I just scoop up that extra paint and put it into a container that has a cover that provides a tight seal.  My experience is that saved acrylic paint like this has kept for months. 

Once the paint has dried completely,  I will start the next layer.  This is called glazing - or painting with transparent paint.  I prefer glazing.  The technique is quite simple.  Mix your paint color (remember to add your medium).  Pull some paint aside and mix it with another squirt of medium making your paint very thin almost watery.  This is called your glaze. 

Glaze your objects one at a time.  When each object is completely dry - put on another layer of glaze, again and again and again until it reaches the level of color you desire.  

I will share my painting with you - IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS!  I did start to paint in my background.  I still have to work on my objects reshaping and adding more glaze, and make some shadows and work on the drapery some.  Like I said a work in progress. 

Learning this technique was not only intresting but a lot of fun.

You can view my completed painting in another post called Rainy Day Still Life Painting and Abbreviated Rainy Day Still Life Painting.  

Thank you!

A Heartfelt Thank You 

to all my viewers and

customers!

This blog would not be possible without you.  I sincerely appreciate your stopping by my page and enjoying my small creative corner of a very large world!

Thank you!  Leave me a comment or subscribe to my page by registering your email.  You will receive my posts as they are made.  Now isn't that just the coolest! 

Theresa!

Rainy Day Still Life Abbreviated Painting

Rainy Day Still Life Abbreviated

Color Saturated Acrylic on Wrapped Canvas Board

with the sides of the canvas painted the same dark purple as the background.  Ready to hang.  No frame needed.  

Size: 20 x 16

For Sale:  $110.00

This abbreviated painting is only available on Fine Art America, where you will be able to purchase prints only - not the original.  This painting is an abbreviated version of the original.  Pay Pal option is also available on Fine Art America.  Just go to  "My Shops" and click on Fine Art America on the above right hand margin of this page and you will come to my shop there.  Thank you!

Rainy Day Still Life Painting

Rainy Day Still Life

Color Saturated Acrylics on Wrapped Canvas Board

with the sides of the canvas painted the same dark purple as the background.  Ready to hang.  No frame needed.  

Size:  20 x 16

For Sale:  $110.00

(This price includes FREE SHIPPING and your art work

will be bubble wrapped for protection during shipping)!

BUY NOW WITH PAYPAL - CLICK ABOVE

Purchase a Print at my Fine Art America shop by clicking on the my shop above right under Shops!

Prints as low as $42.00!

One Pear On A Napkin - Acrylics

One Pear On A Napkin

Color Saturated Acrylic on Wrapped Canvas Board

with the sides of the canvas painted the same light lilac as the background.  Ready to hang.  No frame needed.  

Size:  8 x 10

For Sale:  $50.00

(This price includes FREE SHIPPING and your art work

will be bubble wrapped for protection during shipping)!

BUY NOW WITH PAYPAL - CLICK ABOVE

Purchase a Print at my Fine Art America shop by clicking on the my shop above right under Shops!

Prints as low as $42.00! 

Art Share 2019 #5 - Slow Drying Acrylics are Here!

Art Share 2019  #5 - Slow Drying Acrylics are Here!

Golden Open Acrylics 

(no, I do not work for Golden paints)

It's here!  The acrylic that acts more like an oil; stays wet on the palette much longer than traditional acrylics, and wet on the canvas for an extended time.  Great for traditional painting techniques, as well as mono printing and Gelli Plate printing.  Cleans up with soap and water!

Try them!  I love them!  I just picked up a few at a time and now have this small collection!  

Another Reason Why I Love Houston, Texas

Another Reason Why I Love Houston, Texas

Art Everywhere Houston!

Take a quick snap of the Art Everywhere Houston sign, the Bayou City’s most public display of affection, at its perch alongside the Katy Freeway.

Originally the home of The We Love Houston sign, which has been relocated to the stretch of green parkway behind 8th Wonder Brewery in EaDo, Adickes’ newest creation, Art Everywhere Houston, has taken up residence along the Katy Freeway in the beloved sign’s place.

The unfinished piece made up of steel and concrete, which took a little more than three months to build, can still be easy to miss as you drive along I-10. This is especially true if you’re watching the road ahead – and most dangerously true if you’re watching your cell phone.

Art Share 2019 #4 - How to Get Perspective When Making Art

 How to Get Perspective When Making Art

A problem that I have when working in my small home studio is that I am very close to my art work. When working in a small space, sometimes it’s difficult to move back from your art work to evaluate placement of colors and values.  Either sitting at my work table or standing in front of my easel, there just is not enough space to continually step back a good distance to view my art with a more critical eye.  The problem is that when I am up close to my art work everything always looks beautiful and right! (smile)

I really want to share what I have recently read, and now practice a technique that helps me when working in a small area.  I use a few simple tools that you might have around your home, too, to gain distance from my art. 

1.   I use either a camera or the camera on my phone to snap pictures to review them on a smaller scale. 

2.  Here's an interesting idea:  use a door peephole!  I love this idea!   This is the kind you would put in your front door. Hold it up to your eye and look through it.   It immediately gives you that smaller view you need to evaluate your art work. The peephole is so small and easy to carry in your art tool box.  You can purchase these at your local hardware store.

3.  I also like to use a mirror. A simple makeup mirror will do. Hold it in your hand and look at the deisgn over your shoulder.  This will give you that visual distance between yourself and your art work. 

4.  And finally, my very favorite tool to use is a reducing glass. You simply hold it up, and view your art work through the reducing glass. You are then able to see which areas need some work, and that everything is flowing and coming together nicely.  A reducing glass is just the opposite of a magnifying glass.  You can purchase these at your local art store or order one on line.  

Go Make Art!

Malcolm Liepke (1953) American painter

Malcolm Liepke may just well be my favorite figurative painter yet!  See a few of his works of art at Off The Wall Gallery

Galleria, Houston, TX

Art Share 2019 #3 . . . .Focus!

Art Share

"Almost everyone I've ever met would be well-served by spending more time thinking about what to focus on.  It is much more important to work on the right thing than it is to work many hours.  Most people waste most of their time on stuff that doesn't matter.  Once you have figured out what to do, be unstoppable about getting your small handful of priorities accomplished quickly.  I have yet to meet a slow-moving peron who is very successful."  - Sam Altman, in his book, "How to Be Successful."

I read this in a fellow artist's newsletter ("Focus is a Force Multiplier" by Clint Watson) and he says that he can't shake the feeling that this is an extremely important idea for us artists to internalize and practice. 

 The most important thing we can do as artists is to focus on our artwork!  Focus on producing it, on improving it, on mastering our craft.  It's critical for us artists to design our lives in such a way that maximizes our studio time! 

Go make art!

Can I hear an amen!

(Read Clint Watson's full newsletter on Fine Art Studio On Line).

Art Share 2019 #2. . . .for all my Artist friends!

Art Share for all my Artist friends!

I  read a lot!  I read all the art books I can get my hands on!  I also watch videos and movies about art and artist's.  So this is what I learned last year and have just now realized I should share this gem!

The Old Master's (and I think I would be safe saying we all love their work) always always kept an art inventory.  WHAAAAAT? 

It's super simple!  

1.  Find yourself a notebook of some sort (Dollar Store notebooks work well) that you can dedicate only to your art inventory.

2.  Label it so that you do not unintentionally use it for something else.  

3.  Label the top line of your pages with information that you feel is important for your inventory records.  Ideas: 

Title 

Year

Medium

Size

Price

Posted Online?  Where

Comments

(this is my title page)

4.  Start to record all your art that you hold near and dear to your heart.  Not the pieces that are saved just for progress sake or even the pieces that ended up in your recylce bin!  Just the work you either (1) are in your own private collection (stuff you would NEVER EVER sell) and 2.  the work that is for sale.  

5.  I also and this is probably over the top - but I make Shutterfly books for each year.  These books contain every piece of art I have made whether I trash it or sell it.  This is a wonderful way to look back over the years and see your own progression as an artist.  And they are also will leave a wonderful legacy!

Spring is Here - Painting

Spring is Here

Acrylic on Wrapped Canvas Board

16 x 20 

For Sale:  $125.00

(This price includes FREE SHIPPING and your art work

will be bubble wrapped for protection during shipping)!

BUY NOW WITH PAYPAL - CLICK ABOVE

Purchase a Print at my Fine Art America shop by clicking on the my shop above right under Shops!

Prints as low as $42.00!