Portrait of a Sculptor

This is an oil painting of artist Dave Thomas (Now Deceased). It is 24x24 inches, and is being completed in layers, using a variety of paints. The medium that I have used on this, consists of cold pressed linseed oil, in a palette cup, to loosen the strokes. The paint has a small addition of a medium that I made recently, consisting of Venice turpentine, stand oil, and gum spirits of turpentine. This medium is a slower drying oil, balsam, essential oil medium, and permits some effects that I was seeking. At this point, I have applied an isolating layer of very thin amber varnish. It is now dry, and ready for overpainting. 

This image is significant to me, as having been cremated, Dave no longer exists. However, in my mind he does, and the day that is depicted does as well. 

Almost Finished

Looking Forward to Autumn

This summer has been very hot and very humid. Although the warmth, and the light have been very good, I sure am looking forward to a cool dry breeze.

Waiting For The Parade

Oil on shellac primed, cradled wood panel. This painting is 24 inches by 36 inches. I have been very interested in the effects of light, and tried to focus on this, as opposed to minute details. The painting was completed in more of an impressionistic manner, and I tried to focus on color, value, and textural contrasts. In addition to oil paint, I added a small amount of medium composed of Venice turpentine, stand oil, and gum spirits of turpentine. There is still some work that needs to be completed, and then a final varnish.

Lester Boronda

As a descendant of Manuel Boronda (1750-1826)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Los_Laureles, I recently became aware that artist Lester Boronda 1886-1953 http://www.carmelfineart.biz/Lester-Boronda-Fandango.html is a distant cousin. I love the works that I have seen, and will be researching him more.

After Murillo

This is a recent copy of a painting by Bartolome Esteban Murillo 1660, original: http://www.eccehomo-alzira.es/pintura/page8.html. I have painted this image many times, using different mediums, to see if I can create certain effects. I was not trying to copy it exactly, but more of an attempt to duplicate effects, using ground glass. Once I was finished with the image, and it dried sufficietly, I glazed over it with Stil de grain, and this created different effect from the original, yet one I have observed in other Renaissance works. Please excuse the bad photo, as it is showing as a shadow on the right, when that is not accurate. This is completed using Winsor and Newton oil paints, and is 11x14 inches. The support is gessoed burlap, laid down on wood.

Trying Out a Frame

This painting is 18x24 inches, oil on wood. The first layer is complete, and now on to do much detail work. I wanted to see what it would look like in an ornate frame. These frames are so pretty, but this painting will probably be better in a more simple one.