Othello ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Othello," 6" x 8", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, commissioned equine portrait, private collection (THANK YOU!), and the last of my commissioned holiday pieces. Yesterday was my shipping deadline for the holiday, after which the studio slides into a more indulgent frame of mine. This week I shipped out 14 paintings to new homes (including Othello, above). I'm more than ready to kick back. I have several weeks without commissions ahead of me, my reward for sticking it through the year. Now I'm painting purely for myself, working out ideas that have been simmering all year and trying out new things. It'll set the stage for a new year and new beginnings. But meanwhile, if you want to get on the bus and commission something for 2011, please let me know. I'm getting plans made and the route planned and would love you and your pet to be a part of it! Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Happy holidays - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com Tuck a Gift Certificate Under The Tree Looking for a last minute gift? A certificate for a pet portrait is a great idea that will give the recipient the opportunity to participate in the portrait process, resulting in a painting they will cherish for years to come. Paintings start at $200, sketches $29. Email me for more information.

Elin Pendleton Reworks a Mule Painting

Does this one look familiar? Ought to. It was around a few years ago in another life and another level of color knowledge. I've included the earlier version below and that'll allow you to see how making color changes as one's color knowledge improves can be freeing, pleasurable and just pure FUN!

During the workshop (Color Boot Camp!) last weekend, I used this 12 x 9 oil as a lesson in how to achieve color balance when faced with a problem painting. I brought this one into 2010 with better choices of hue in about 1/3 of the canvas. Can you tell where? Yes, the panniers got a makeover, but so did the sky and the shadows. It was a good lesson for the Color Boot Campers in my workshops to see.

What's the value plan?
What time of day is it?
Is there a good value structure holding the painting together?
These three questions are good ones to have when you're either fixing a painting or beginning one.

The Mule is Sold, and will be going to it's new home next week.

Today my guest Michelle Walker and I will be plein air painting near Two Trees, and who knows how my brushes will behave? I know her company is joyful as she is really GOOD with color (having done the Boot Camp!)

The newest DVD on the Color System is HERE
You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Watercolor of Winter Belgians

"From The Box - Belgians"  watercolor     14 x 14"

My watercolor of the two Belgian Draft horses is done. A painting that started out as a summer scene ended up being a winter scene with snow flakes falling. The view of the horses as seen from the drivers seat , is one of my favourite views! Looking at the painting makes me want to get out and drive! But our weather is not so inviting. It has been cold,gray and damp...I prefer the warmth of the house,the cozy studio. So let it snow!!!



This painting is available for purchase on my website.....easy to buy!
Now back to the studio where I am working on a still life in oil on copper..and I am also working on a big casein.....of drafts....big driving horses!

Kathi Peters
http://www.kathipeters.com/

International Equine Artists Online Member Holiday-Winter Exhibit 2010-2011

The International Equine Artists are proud to present their first member Exhibit! The Holiday-Winter Exhibit 2010-2011 online at http://www.internationalequineartists.com

View some of the best Equine Art from around the World! You can also participate by making your People's Choice Vote! The Artists winning 1st and 2nd place will receive a monetary award.
Most works are for sale. Those works not for sale, you may contact the Artist about other works they may have or commissioning your own piece of art.

  The IEA is also open for new Artist Memberships. If you are an Equine Artist or love creating the horse in art, take a look at the site and see if this group is right for you.

Thank you,

Debbie Flood, Founder & Administrator IEA
http://www.debfloodart.com
debflood@debfloodart.com

Photos, photos everywhere, and not a Belgian to be found...

It's 1:00 in the morning, and I have been roused from my bed by a haunting vision of two Belgian mares standing in a meadow.  Seriously.  These two mares were the subject of a photo shoot back in the spring of 2010, and one of the bargains struck with the owner (before he allowed me to go slogging in knee high mud through his fields) was that I would send him a print of one of the paintings I would create featuring his two lovely horses.  "Tempest" was actually inspired by this photo shoot - although it looks nothing like a calm, placid 15 year old Belgian mare contentedly nibbling at her hay.  I hesitate to send him a print of one of his mares looking like a wild beastie from a Walter Farley novel.

(Here is the finished "Tempest", btw.  Turn it on it's side and squint your eyes, and you can just see a quiet, elderly mare with a slight breeze ruffling her mane.  Such is the magic of art.)

"Tempest"  © Joanna Zeller Quentin 2010.  All Right Reserved. www.MoosePantsStudio.com

But, alas, the end of the year is fast approaching, and my plan of delivering a small painting to this gentlemen is in peril... because I can't find the darn photographs.  Here in my studio I have thousands of photos.  Hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of shots - mostly horses (followed by birds and then big cats and then everything else), all sorted and catalogued by subject.  Want a rodeo scene?  Check.  Want a picture of kids with their ponies?  Got it.  Want a Saddlebred just stepping into the sunlight with a glittering ribbon pinned to her bridle?  Here you go!  Jumpers and dressage and reining and lungeing, I've got them all.  All reference shots, and all mine.  But 23 pictures of two mares, a field, an old man who would have fit perfectly in the last century puttering around his farmyard, sweet shots of plowed earth, broken cornstalks and rich, heavy, black Illinois topsoil?  I have no idea where they went.  And now it will drive me crazy.

It does, however, give me an excuse to pull open my heavy filing cabinet drawers, grab a handful of pictures, and dream.  Here's a painting, and here's a painting, and here's an etching, a drawing, a watercolor.  In my hands I hold the promise of so much great art!  Magical moments where the light and shadow have come together with the action and the sentiment and the pure equine form - and somewhere buried in all of that is exactly what I'm trying to say with my paintings and drawings.  Look at this creature, this thing, this miracle, this wild, four legged spirit partnered with man to do amazing and athletic things.  Look at him jump and race and run.  Look at him cut cattle or execute a canter pirouette.  Look at him safely cart children around the field or step into the show ring before thousands of spectators in a world class competitive setting.  And look at the relationship forged between man and beast.  We can guide a half ton animal around with a piece of leather.  We can ask him to jump over 5' fences.  We can watch him separate cattle from the herd or chase a ball around while his rider swings a large stick in the air.  We can put him in a starting gate, throw the doors open, and expect him to fly down a dirt track, striving to vanquish every other horse on the field.

Painting after painting after painting.  Photograph after photograph after photograph.  Idea after idea after idea, until finally the idea becomes inspiration, and the inspiration translates to the art.

NEW!  "Colors of the Wind" © Joanna Zeller Quentin 2010.  All Rights Reserved.  www.MoosePantsStudio.com

Florestan I by Sheona Hamilton-Grant

Mention Florestan and you automatically mention: success, beauty, quality and ... history.

Florestan I is a German Warmblood (Rheinland) breading stallion with amazing statistics.

Since 1989, this Fidelio-Rheingold son has sired over 5000 mares (yep three 0's after the 5) which has resulted in the following historical statistics. (Actually, I have it from good authority that he is so successful that it is near impossible to count all of his offspring...)

55 registered sons in the Stallion registry

200 State premium mares in Germany alone.

Approximately 2000 show horses registered at the German National Equestrian Federation.

1.2 Million Euros life time earnings.

A bronze statue of Florestan I can also be found in Wickrath Germanyhttp://www.pferdezucht-rheinland.de/index2.htm

Knowing all this, you can now all fully understand the honour and the excitement I experienced last spring when I was given, not only a private photo-shoot with the star but also the request to draw a portrait of him. (A great big thank you to Andrea Stricker, his groom and rider, for her time.)

I went for something different.

I wanted to steer away from the classic head-shot.

I was looking to portray the cheeky, clever, smart and inventive horse that he his.

His professionalism was amazing.

Like a model, he enjoyed every moment spent in front of the camera and gave me pose after pose, spoiling me with workable material.

However, it wasn't until I caught him off guard that I knew I had my moment, my portrait.

A glimpse of the normal, ever inventive, young at heart champion sire.

This pose captures everything: his beauty, presence , charisma and character.

At 24 he's far from feeling or looking his age and has definitely mastered the art of holding on...

"Holding On"

Pencil on Paper. 29x40 cm

Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved.

More of my work can be viewed at www.sheonahamiltongrant.com

Still Life With Black Horse ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Here is one of my all-time favorite paintings, "Still Life With Black Horse," 10" x 24", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $479. I have loved this one since the moment I shot the reference photo and began painting in my mind's eye. "Still Life" has been exhibited and won numerous awards. It even earned me the moniker of "The Lady Who Paints Horse's Butts." (By the way, there is a PG and an R rated version of this nickname.) But it is still looking for a home. Might that be yours? (email me if so!) The painting is a great shape and can be tucked into a smaller space very easily - but don't be fooled. It has a strong presence and will become a conversation starter. "Is that a horse's butt?" Just imagine your snappy comeback! Since today I am a slave to the book manuscript, I figured that I would share one of my favs. You can see a larger version/view here. Enjoy!! Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Can You Hear the Flies Buzzing? When this painting hung in the studio, I swear there was always the drone of a horsefly. "Swish," 22" x 28", acrylics on gallery stretched canvas, $919. Another reason why I'm "The Lady Who Paints Horses Butts." This painting has been around the block as well, racking up all sorts of awards. "Swish" was also published in the inauguralRicheson 75 International Landscape & Exteriorspublication. But he's ready to settle down, now, and find a new home too. Please let me know if you are know of a good place! Inquiries may always come to me.

Toronto's Royal Winter Fair - Fine Art Showcase 2010!

I haven't been pulling my weight around here! It's been ages since I posted, though I often come by to have a look at the wonderful work my colleagues are producing! I've been inspired to share a bit of news, and hopefully I'll do my bit and post more often!

Last year I was juried into the Royal Winter Fair's Fine Art Showcase with my pencil drawing, "Adjustments." It was a fun experience, and the show was supported with a grant from the Government of Canada "Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage" program, which was quite exciting. This allowed the show to have a demonstration stage, and I was one of the artists asked to paint at the show. I've been attending the Royal since I was quite young - I've lost track how long - so it was neat to be part in this way.

Last week I received word that the painting I submitted for this year's show - "Ground Rules" (above), a 12 x 16 oil - was accepted for inclusion. Thursday I delivered my painting to the Royal offices, accompanied by friend and fellow artist Lise Leblanc whose lovely oil painting "Belle's Buttons and Bows" was also accepted. If you're at the Royal this year, be sure to look for the exhibit. It will be in the Direct Energy Building, Heritage Court, which is an amazing location.

If you'd like to see more of my work (and stories from my farm of crazy TBs) please take a peek at my blog. You can also catch me on Facebook, or get more information on my website.

Linda Shantz

Gypsies.....I LOVE THEM!!

"The Gypsy"        casein on board                 8 10"

Consider this painting done. Now it needs to dry a few days. Then I will will varnish it. This Gypsy is one I saw on my Kentucky trip last September. She was at Gala Driving Center in Georgetown, KY. where we were given a tour of their wonderful grounds and carriage driving facility. I captured some other shots of this gypsy and also a lovely Irish Draught there.....more inspiration for future works.

A big box sits at our front door waiting for the FedEx driver. Packing and shipping is a time consuming evil when you make your living as an artist. [Or should that read 'try to make a living as an artist' !??]  This  box of paintings is heading to Cazenovia ,New York, where my work will be hanging in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery's invitational show  "Le Cheval". This  exhibit opens Nov.3rd with a reception from 4 - 5:30 pm and it will be there until Dec. 9th .

Life has been exciting lately...my heavens... I was picked by Blogger as a BLOG OF NOTE !! I am not sure what the criteria is for receiving such an honor, but it certainly has increased the hits on my blog!! I can't believe it was picked for the world shaking posts I make!! Now I am haunted by the specter of witty dialogue. Appropriate for the season, I suppose.....it being Halloween and all!!    

Which reminds me.....I need candy.  

Three Wide ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Three Wide," 8" x 16", the newest Thoroughbred racehorse painting from the "Saratoga Series," done in Golden Open Acrylics on panel, $649 to the first one saying "pretty please." Inquiries may always come to me. This painting is nearly finished, after today's approximately 8 hours of alla prima (meaning wet paint into wet paint) work. There's nothing like a looming deadline to get my butt away from the computer and in front of the easel. There's a deadline of tomorrow to submit a painting with the theme of "History" for publication consideration. I've known about said deadline for a year. But inspiration grows strongest in the final hours...... Not sure why I chose as complex a design as this to complete in one day (anyone else voting for insanity?).... Regardless, I thoroughly got into it - and stuck to it, despite a good 3 hours of being mired deep in "The Uglies." ("The Uglies" is the developmental stage paintings go through where nothing melds and every brush mark seems wrong - sort of like a painting's version of teen angst. The artist must persevere, hold tight to their vision, and power through.) Tomorrow I'll spend a little time making a few final adjustments (fresh eyes will help tremendously) before sending my submission off. Then I'll light a candle, cross my fingers, and hold my breath. And start a new painting. Meanwhile, who do you think won the race? Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email meto get on my calendar! "Rusty" Muttitage Red Wine by Mutt Lynch Need an excuse to stock up on some excellent wine? Through Howl-oween (October 31st), Mutt Lynch is offering free UPS Ground shipping on all purchases. Enter "FREE SHIPPING" during checkout to qualify. This comes just in time to grab a couple bottles for those winter family get togethers. And make sure you grab a few for yourself - "Rusty" pairs just as well with a good book and bunny slippers.

The Right Place at the Right Time ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Blinkered," 6" square, from the Saratoga Series, part of the Painting a Dog a Day project, acrylics on panel, available for purchase through Cazenovia College. In 2009 I was fortunate enough to attend the opening week of Saratoga Race Track's season. I was joined by painter Linda Shantz and photographer Juliet Harrison, both skilled and knowledgeable horsewomen. I took full advantage of the opportunity to soak up as much information as possible (even mucking stalls at Linda's farm!). After that trip, I began a series of paintings inspired by Saratoga. At this point I had no clear direction for the works other than to explore the energy and essence of life on the track. I shared the paintings via Painting a Dog a Day and enjoyed them here in the studio. But now, for the first time, selected pieces from this series will be on display for the public. Six paintings will be included in an invitational show of equine artwork at Cazenovia College in upstate New York. Held in conjunction with the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament, this presents a great opportunity for equine afficianados to view equine athletes in the flesh and the tremendous art they've inspired. The opportunity to participate came as a total surprise - private recommendations of my work made it to the curator's ears. A subsequent visit to my website was intriguing enough for her to extend an invitation. (So the moral of the story is to please keep talking up the things you love and enjoy in your life - and thank you 100 times over for your support, too!) The show will open on November 3rd and remain in the Reisman Hall Art Gallery on the Cazenovia Campus in Cazenovia, New York through December 9th. You are cordially invited to stop by and view this elite collection of equine art - please email the gallery for further details. Thanks for looking at, and sharing, my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com PSST - I'm still accepting holiday commissions. Email me to get on my calendar! Keeping Mom & Pop Shops Alive Think about which 3 independently owned businesses you'd miss the most if they were gone. If half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000. That's over $42 billion! For every $100 spent in an independently owned store, typically $68 of it - over 2/3 !- returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. On average $100 spent at a national chain results in only $43 - less than 1/2 - remaining in the community. I strive to keep my business (and personal) expenditures local. So when you support Painting a Dog a Day, you are also supporting Lake Orion, Michigan, a proud small town community packed with independently owned businesses. And you are helping this Mom keep her independence and support her family. Mona Lisa says "Thank you." Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your Mom & Pop Shops. Look - I've even started your list: 1. Painting a Dog a Day 2. 3.

Reflections of friends, Draft Horse Eye, Watercolor by Debbie Flood

I've had this image all Summer, waiting to be painted.

I was at a horse show and across the quiet country road is a Draft Horse farm. The whole herd was out in the pasture. I wandered over to get some candid shots of them just being together, but when they saw me headed towards the fence, one by one, proding each other along, they came over to me.The look of snacks and hand outs was crossing their faces.
I took a whole lot of images. The wind was blowing and their soft long blond manes were whisping all around. The sunlight was catching here and there, in those wisps. It was a delight to capture them with my camera.
Later in the day, when I got home, I was unloading all those precious reference photos. I zoomed in on one. The eye looked very interesting to me. As I got it enlarged to 100% on my computer screen, I could see his pasture pals, reflected in his eye!
I knew I just had to paint that. So here it is. Reflections of friends. 9 x 8.5 Watercolor. $350.00 Inquiries may come to my email at debflood@debfloodart.com

~Debbie

Studio News and a Poll

 Art Exibition and Studio Tour   

     I have quite a bit going going these days. I am getting several paintings completed for the Friends of the Great Swamp Art Celebration in Pawling, NY on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24th. The event culminates with an art auction on Sunday. The FROGS Art exhibit is part of The Arteast Open Studio Tour in Dutchess County, NY.  It is a beautiful time of year to get in the car and do the tour while Mother Nature still has on her finest colors!


New Name and a Poll

 As many of you know I have been working hard a making a new life for myself as a single, working mom (an oxymoron) and I have made the decision to go back to using my maiden name. I have spent  a lot of time and effort branding myself with my married name. Now I need to re-brand myself and my art swith my new (old) name.  have already started using my maiden name, which is Bollman,  in the middle and in a year I will drop the O'Sullivan. Not a drop of Irish in me! Italian (raised Italian) and German all the way. -)  So in the spirit of fresh starts and new beginnings I need to come up with a new name for my business. So here is where I could use your help. I set up a poll for you guys to help me decide what name to go with.  I am thinking that by using a studio name I can make this more seamless.
One of the names a particularly like is Aquarelle Studio- 

Webster defines Aquarelle as...

~French, from obsolete Italian acquarella (now acquerello), from acqua water, from Latin aqua
(pronounced "ak-we-rell") - transparent watercolour.

The poll is over there on top right hand side of this blog. So, please, take a second and vote for your favorite name.

 
    I have finally gotten through having a nasty cold and  have just about gotten back into my regular late night groove again.  I thought I would post this work in progress of a Dressage  horse. The reference photo is courtesy of one of my collectors, Kathy. Thank you for use of your fabulous photos! The subject of this painting is of  black horse. Always a tough color to paint without making things dull and too dark. I choose to run with the violet and blue highlights on this gorgeous horse.

The initial sketch

Medium values

Almost completed. I need to come in with the final darks and detail.

Stay posted for the final on this one and don't forget to vote in my poll! Thanks! Til next time!

Enjoy!
Deborah

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Border Collie Sketch

   Today's painting  is a small 5 x5 inch watercolor painting of a Border Collie. I have been down and out with a cold but I managed to get this done.  Painted on heavy 300 lb Arches Hot Press paper this little gem will be available to go home with it's new owner for $55 which includes free Priority Mail shipping to thh U.S.  Email me for more info Deborah@DeborahOSullivan.com or click to purchase.

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 My website- DeborahOSullivan.com

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Stripe ~~ Painting a Dog a Day by Kimberly Kelly Santini

"Stripe," 6" x 8", portrait of two companionable equines, Golden Open acrylics on Raymar panel, $329 to the first one asking nicely. Polite requests may always come to me. This week I'll be working out a couple different ideas as I plot out my entries for the Ex Arte Equinus competition. You know, I enter every year, and have yet to make the cut. I don't know that getting into the publication would do much for anything other than my ego. But it sure would be nice to have validation from my peers that all the work I've put into improving my equine paintings has been worthwhile. Stay tuned - you'll either get to share in the knashing of teeth or a grande celebratory dance!! Either way, it should be entertaining. Thanks as always for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family - Kim ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

The Equine Art of Debbie Flood, New Book

The Equine Art of Debbie Flood by Debbie Flood | Make Your Own Book

My book is finally finished! I want to thank everyone, who has been waiting for this book, for your patience! This book covers my more emotional paintings of people and horses. Also with poetry and some verse written by myself to accompany a select few paintings, to add to the strength and power of the paintings.

This book is 8 x 10, Landscape format, Hard cover with dust jacket and Premium Lustre heavy paper.$45.95 plus $5.00 Shipping in the USA. $11.00 shipping in Canada & Mexico and $13.00 other Countries. 5% Maine Sales tax for Maine residents.

Deadline to order a signed copy of the 1st printing, from me, is October 15 2010. Signed copies will ship out from my studio the 1st week of November. Non-signed copies may be ordered anytime from the link embedded in the preview image above, at the Blurb.com site.

To order your signed copy, please email me at debflood@debfloodart.com

Thank you, and enjoy previewing the book!

Debbie

Elin Pendleton finishes horses in evening pasture light

Now it is done, photographed, framed, shipped to Georgetown, Kentucky, and if all the planets align, it won't return to Two Trees.

So what did I do between yesterday and today? Let's look at the images and see...

Ah, of course! The mist. The "atmosphere" that carries the image. Softening areas of the canvas with the addition of layers of acrylic medium and paint, thinning those layers so the underpainting shows through, creating the mist.

The same technique was used to add the sun rays coming in from the right side. But in doing that area, I used the warm palette, instead of the Cool Box.

I didn't want to do any changing to the lower third--it is too close to the viewer to be majorly affected by the mist, and I really like the reflections in the water, so I left it alone.

Tomorrow I fill more of the orders for the Colorful Painting #4 Two DVD set. This morning I came down to the studio to a water nightmare where the front planter leaked through the wall of my basement workroom. Eight gallons came up with the rug cleaning machine, and the fans are running to dry out the bits left. Good thing the temps have been so high--this is drying up in record time. Some positives came out of leaving that hose bib running last night--my workroom and the theater carpet got a good cleaning!!!

You can order my latest DVD HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

International Equine Artists Group

I want to introduce you to the International Equine Artists Group. We are a collective group of artists that love the horse and love creating the horse in our creations. The IEA's purpose is to promote learning, sharing, and promotion of the equine artist. The IEA accepts all artistic skill levels and is open to international membership. There is no need to be juried in.
Paid members recieve a host of benifits including: Private Online Forum for sharing, learning and staying in the loop of equine art. A Member's public Blog that streams into the IEA's Facebook Fan page. Discount Group advertising. Listing in the Artist's Directory on the website with an image and a link to your website. An image in the Member's Gallery Slide show. Online Member Exhibits.
Dues are $25.00 USD for 1 year. To find out more, or to sign up for membership visit the website at http://www.internationalequineartists.com


Thank you,
Debbie Flood, Founder and Administrator of IEA.

Elin Pendleton Continues the Acrylic evening light mist

Might look a bit finished at this point, at least for those of us who are not "tight" painters! But it isn't. I still have the final step to do for the atmosphere--to bring in the mists and the sunlight coming through the trees. This works so well with acrylics, I can hardly wait to show it to you! But that's tomorrow... If I were painting in oils, I would have had to take a break at this point and wait for the painting surface to develop enough strength to handle the glazing of this effect. Probably would have been four days in my climate--which is over 100 degrees again. No fires though...

I have pulled together the near ground the the midground by making the areas below the horses more interesting and varied. There is a lot of subtle movement going on within those areas by the use of value and color shifts. A lot more fun to DO it than to talk about it though! I'm really pleased with the colors in the stream--can you see the juxtaposition of the yellow orange with the red violet there, toned down? Gotta love the Color System!!

The DVDs ordered have been sent out and I'm waiting for some more feedback on them. So far, everything is positive! Now it is Saturday night, the house is hot and the moon is up, so I'm going to go play outside for a while! See you tomorrow!

You can order the latest Color System DVD HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Elin Pendleton Continues the Acrylic, with design notes.

Now that the canvas is 99% covered, and without details, anyone can see the feeling of evening light through the trees and the twilight cast of night sky on the lower 2/3 of the canvas. The only details define the near ground with the big shapes that let us know what's going on in the stream and lower canvas.

I've included a duplicate image below, because I wanted anyone interested in design and "pathways" from yesterday's blog to see what I mean graphically. Most artists learn by seeing, (at least I do!) so here goes:

In the image to the left, everywhere there is an implied or real edge (transition area) that is important to the design, I've drawn a light line. You can enlarge these images by clicking on them.) The primary focal point of the horses (which are not there completely yet) is the end- or through- point of many of those curving lines.

The curves are intentionally serene, not abrupt nor jagged, creating a peaceful flow throughout the canvas. Any small jutting shapes (such as on the mini-islands in the stream) are small and of little consequence to the overall design.

Although this landscape might be a combination of scenes on Fay's farm in Georgia, it is the ARTIST who picks and chooses subjects and then places and evaluates what becomes important (or not) on the small surface of a canvas. That's our JOB. It ain't an easy one, but never gets dull.

In my aikido training, I didn't realize how much the last four years of training have affected me--always thinking I'm such a beginner--until I witnessed the testing last night. Seeing those people on the mat doing the first test I'd passed many months ago, and just KNOWING what was supposed to happen made me realize that in all things, like painting, we need to constantly practice to get better. Sometimes we don't realize what we don't know until we surround ourselves with others who know more, and know less. I'm doing an Iriminage throw in this sketch.

You can order my newest instructional DVD on twilight and misty light HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE. (Only one space left in November).
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Elin Pendleton continues with the evening light mare and foal in pasture

As I start adding color to this acrylic (24 x 18), I'm thinking about the value structure at every moment. Even at this stage, you can see the lighter values going into the darker areas on the upper areas of this canvas. I'm completely in the COOL BOX, since this painting will be almost twilight, with only a flash of evening sun coming through the trees on the upper left. There will be a stream in the lower third, and I've laid in some of the "Trifecta" sky colors there already. (Trifecta is the trio of hard workers of Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin/Quinacradone Magenta and Yellow Ochre). Everything else you see at this stage is the four darkest values from the Cool Box. I'm using a one-inch filbert for these big areas.

YES!! FINALLY!!! The link for the newest DVD is up and running!!! (My internet at the house fell through the cracks so I'm typing and working from a wifi about a mile from my studio. Never a dull moment, eh?) Here's the second menu for the Advanced Techniques included on the second DVD in the set. Now who's going to be the FIRST to order? Here's the direct URL:
http://www.elinart.com/pages/dvd4.html

I spent the morning shipping the painting to Lexington, and again working with my friend Ron Wood on his glass projects. Back to the easel for more light and color tomorrow!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Happy FULL MOON!!!

Elin Pendleton Starts one for WEG, and the new DVD!

What you'll be seeing in the next five days is what happened in my studio in two hours. I love a challenge, and surely had one with this opportunity. Karen LaBach of the American Academy of Equine Art asked me to send a "small" painting for the World Equestrian Games display, since I'm one of two instructors with AAEA workshops coming up in the spring (mine's here in California!). I said I have a 12 x 16, and she replied, "no, the other artist's is 18 x 24, so that's what we consider 'small' on that display space."

Ulp. So I don't have ANYthing recent that represents the Color System that wasn't lost in the boxes from my workshops. I remember one I'd done in Georgia that I don't even have a photo record of which just felt right to redo, differently, of course! So with reference material from that magical time, I've started (and finished) this 24 x 18 canvas, which will be shipped out tomorrow to Kentucky. The reference material is on each side, and those of you who remember the painting I did on the last day of the Georgia workshop will remember the right-hand photo.

The Colorful Painting 4 master DVDs are in the hands of the duplication service, and I'll have the copies back Wednesday! The "Advanced Techniques" on the second disk is what took so much more time... there are TWELVE different areas of advanced techniques! From mid-ground transitions to edges, to brushwork, to color balance--it's ALL there, adding another half hour to the production! (And three days of editing, with voice overs.) Here's the sub-menu I had to make to handle half the topics. Each section represents one-sixth of the information.

Because of the painting marathon today, I haven't updated the web site so you can buy them yet. The price for the two DVD set will be $34.95 with $4 shipping. TOMORROW... I promise! Links, I PROMISE!!!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.