Painting Demonstration of "CAL 46"

In this demonstration I am painting a close up of a 1946 Chevrolet pick-up, hence the title “CAL 46”. I have been fascinated with old trucks for years, and a large body of my work is inspired by them. I came across this truck at a nursery, where it was being used to display an array of plants. I was captivated with the way the light streamed across the front of the fender and grill. I knew I had an interesting photograph, but the most successful paintings start with a good drawing. It is helpful to remember “a camera has one eye and no brain”. It is our job as artists to put life into our work, and not be bound by a photograph. You will notice from the reference photograph, that a license plate was not in the photograph. I added the license plate for design purposes. I needed something that would complete the movement of the eye through the painting, and away from the corner.

Remember, what is happening on the paper, is more important than reality.

Happy Painting!

Brenda

Negative Painting with Watercolor

This is a painting I started awhile back and decided to put it aside when I had lost direction. When I am unsure about a painting whether it is design, values, color...I put it aside until I have a clear direction and vision again. The last thing I want to do is make meaningless stroke and paint myself into a corner. I find putting a little time between me and a painting is usually enough to help me see clear again. If this doesn't work I have artist friends whose judgment I trust.

The problem I ran into with this painting was color. The amount of green was over powering the painting. The dreaded Green Monster (wink). To tone down the green I made a large puddle of Rose violet. In a couple places I wet the paper with clear water and ran the Rose Violet into the wet passages. I kept the paper tilted and used a spray bottle to help move the paint. Problem solved…no more Green Monster!

Happy Painting!

Brenda

Negative Painting with Watercolor

Here is a negative painting I finished yesterday. The process is some what meditative and requires that I slow down and not be in a hurry to complete. Some days I find it easier to work on a negative painting than others. Once I am in the 'negative" state of mind I enjoy working on numerous paintings. The techniques requires time for each glaze to thoroughly dry. With each glaze I build shapes, depth of color and values.

Happy Painting!
Brenda