Here is a close up of the shoulder area so you can see the brush strokes better.
What do you think of the results of my experiment?
Sep 22, 2013
Being Painterly
Here is a new horse painting I just finished today. This painting was different for me because I was determined to avoid getting anal about detail on this one. I forced myself to use brushes that are uncomfortably large for me so I was unable to focus too much on fine detail. This enabled me to focus more on brush strokes, color, and lighting. It was a bit of an experiment.
Here is a close up of the shoulder area so you can see the brush strokes better.
Here is a close up of the shoulder area so you can see the brush strokes better.
Sep 11, 2013
Chestnut Horse Portrait - Fame
Finished - chestnut horse - "Flame"
I used to think chestnut horses were rather boring and plain but lately they have grown on me. The color can be rich and intense and, with a healthy, shiny coat they can look almost metallic copper. Very pretty! Being able to reproduce that metallic sheen in a painting is a real challenge, though.
I used to think chestnut horses were rather boring and plain but lately they have grown on me. The color can be rich and intense and, with a healthy, shiny coat they can look almost metallic copper. Very pretty! Being able to reproduce that metallic sheen in a painting is a real challenge, though.
8"x10 oil on multimedia board
Sep 3, 2013
Apple Harvest Chickadees - Finished!
I finally finished my apple harvest and birds painting for the winery harvest theme art display. While working on this painting I was surprised to find I really enjoyed painting birds ... and apples! It was surprisingly fun painting the striped colors and shine on the apple skins. And the best part about painting a scene like this is I get the eat the reference when I'm done! The apples, that is! Not the chickadees! :)
20"x16"
Oil on multimedia board
See a high res version and buy prints here.
Aug 26, 2013
Apple Harvest Chickadees - WIP3
More
progress made on my chickadees and apples painting.
It's times like this I wish I loved acrylics instead of oils because getting this done in time for the winery exhibit next week really means getting it done by Thurs THIS week so it has time to dry. Cadmium yellow hue in particular takes a long time to dry. But it's just such a nice color there's no substitute!
It's times like this I wish I loved acrylics instead of oils because getting this done in time for the winery exhibit next week really means getting it done by Thurs THIS week so it has time to dry. Cadmium yellow hue in particular takes a long time to dry. But it's just such a nice color there's no substitute!
Aug 24, 2013
Apple Harvest Chickadees - WIP2
Still working away on my painting of chickadees in an apple tree. Besides more detail work on apples and leaves, I got one of the chickadees finished. Here's a photo of the section with the chickadee.
I'll post another update in a day or two!
I'll post another update in a day or two!
Aug 20, 2013
Apple Harvest Chickadees - WIP1
I live in Woodinville, WA. For those of you who are not familiar with Woodinville, WA, you probably think that, with a name like, it's some small town Hicksville out in the middle of nowhere. I probably would. But, in reality, Woodinville isn't "out in the sticks." It's a well developed area just 20-30 minutes outside Seattle. Yes, we have modern shopping centers, theaters, freeway systems ... even a corn maze!
Ok, so we're "a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll." :)
But one thing Woodinville is famous for is its wineries. If you're a wine connoisseur you've probably heard of Woodinville. If not, it's something you might want to learn about. Woodinville has regular wine tasting events, and winery concerts, throughout the summer months. And what better hobby is there for an excuse to laze around in beautiful scenery, listen to great music, drink fine wine, and get drunk than becoming a wine connoisseur?
So, why am I babbling on about Woodinville and wineries anyway? Well, the point of this blog post is to talk about an upcoming art showing at a local winery, the Goose Ridge Estate winery, just a few minutes from where I live. Through the month of September they are displaying artwork by artists from the Parklane Gallery, including one of my paintings. Because autumn is not far away, the theme for the art display will be the fall harvest. That limits what I can display there. I have one painting already done that may work, but it isn't ideal for a harvest theme, so I'm working on a new one that will work better. This one is of some chickadees in an apple tree with an apple harvest basket. Here is a picture of what I have so far.
Ok, so we're "a little bit country, and a little bit rock and roll." :)
But one thing Woodinville is famous for is its wineries. If you're a wine connoisseur you've probably heard of Woodinville. If not, it's something you might want to learn about. Woodinville has regular wine tasting events, and winery concerts, throughout the summer months. And what better hobby is there for an excuse to laze around in beautiful scenery, listen to great music, drink fine wine, and get drunk than becoming a wine connoisseur?
So, why am I babbling on about Woodinville and wineries anyway? Well, the point of this blog post is to talk about an upcoming art showing at a local winery, the Goose Ridge Estate winery, just a few minutes from where I live. Through the month of September they are displaying artwork by artists from the Parklane Gallery, including one of my paintings. Because autumn is not far away, the theme for the art display will be the fall harvest. That limits what I can display there. I have one painting already done that may work, but it isn't ideal for a harvest theme, so I'm working on a new one that will work better. This one is of some chickadees in an apple tree with an apple harvest basket. Here is a picture of what I have so far.
I'm still mostly at the blocking-in stage so there isn't a lot of detail yet. I did start to detail a couple of leaves and the apple at the top, but other than that it's just block-in. But at least it gives you an idea of what the overall scene will look like, some apple branches, an apple basket, and three cute little chickadees. I just hope I can finish it in time!
Aug 16, 2013
Palouse Whitetail Deer
If you've been following my blog for a while you know I started this painting a long time ago. Well, it's finally finished!
Some people have told me this painting doesn't look right. It looks like a North American whitetail deer running through the hills of Tuscany, Italy. It's not realistic. That scene could never exist.
Well, I admit, it does look a little bit like Tuscany. But that doesn't mean it's not a real scene. Have you ever heard of Palouse in eastern Washington state? The scenery there is not all that different from Tuscany. And, there are whitetail deer living there! So it's not at all an unrealistic scene.
Here is just a sample of the amazing scenery in Palouse, WA.
I suggest you Google Palouse for more amazing images.
24"x36" oil on canvas
Some people have told me this painting doesn't look right. It looks like a North American whitetail deer running through the hills of Tuscany, Italy. It's not realistic. That scene could never exist.
Well, I admit, it does look a little bit like Tuscany. But that doesn't mean it's not a real scene. Have you ever heard of Palouse in eastern Washington state? The scenery there is not all that different from Tuscany. And, there are whitetail deer living there! So it's not at all an unrealistic scene.
Here is just a sample of the amazing scenery in Palouse, WA.
Copyright Michael Greene
I suggest you Google Palouse for more amazing images.
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