Seashells and Eggshells Completed

Shells

12 x 36 Oil

Carole Rodrigue Copyright 2013

I'm a little late . . .

Although this piece has been finished for over a couple of weeks, I didn't want to post a photo yet because I hadn't had time to take a decent one.  As I've said before, painting with dark colours makes it darned near impossible to take a photo without glare unless I hired a professional photographer with special lighting and lenses. I can't afford to do that . . .

I've also been recovering from surgery last week.  I found out just over a month ago that I had a nasty gallbladder, so we decided to take it out.  The deed was done last Wednesday and I've been home resting. Despite a very rough few days, recovery is going well and each day is better.  I was even able to take the dog on a short walk yesterday although that wore me out halfway through and I was afraid I wouldn't have the strength to make it back home, but I did.  It might have been pushing things a tad.  The dog didn't enjoy my slow pace anyway.  But enough of that.

I've also managed to complete another painting that I had started before surgery.  I'll take photos tomorrow, weather permitting since I'll be doing this outside to avoid light pollution.  I hope you enjoy this one and I'll be back later.  Take care!

Seashells and Eggshells

Hi everyone! Here's a painting I started the other day and have decided to share its progress. In this first shot, I have my drawing laid out in charcoal and started with the background. I'm keeping this background dark, with a mix of black to grey nearer the subject in order to illuminate the objects. 

In this second photo, I have completed the first pass. This is only one layer of paint, the underpainting. There is no detail work at this point and this stage is merely blocking the painting. From this point on, more layers of paint will be added as well as detailing, deeper shadows, and lighting. Before continuing, I had to let the paint set a bit before I could add more layers. Trying to paint wet on wet would make a mess and I would just end up with too much paint and not accomplish much. One key point for anyone to learn if they want to paint realism is to not use too much paint on the brush and to work in thin layers. Too much paint creates a build up that can't effectively be worked or controlled. It's better to have too little paint and keep adding rather than trying to take off paint. 

This photo is a close up detail shot of a completed eggshell. In order to have effective mood and lighting, it's important to assess your values.  An egg is perfect for studying values as you can see the gradation from your darkest dark, mid tones, and lightest point. There are also reflections from light reflecting on surrounding objects to consider. If you look at this egg, you can see reflective light in the back of the egg where it is darkest. There is no light source behind the egg, but there is a seashell that is reflecting light. This is something an artist must train the eye to see. 

Almost everything in life is not straightforward colour, light, and shadows. I have painted green bellies on horses from light being reflected from the grass below. People would say they were seeing a brown horse without realizing there was a whole lot of green.I often tell this story to people when they question me on how I paint such realistic light. It's important to paint what you truly see and not what your brain thinks it sees. An artist must train the eye to see what is really there. 

Next, I'll be working on the seashells. These will take longer since there is more detail work, but I will be back with more photos to show its progress. I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into how I work. 

New Contemporary Still Life

"Le Rendezvous"

14 x 18, oil

Carole Rodrigue, Copyright 2013

Well, it's been about one month since my last post. My solo exhibit at Artists on Elgin was a great success and I was very fortunate to have been invited to show my work there. I sold some artwork, and the reception went exceptionally well.  To top things off, I have also been juried as regular member artist, so that means I will be showing my work there on a regular basis. How wonderful is that? Very!

And what would a post be without some new art to share? Here's my latest painting.  It's a very tongue in cheek piece. I do enjoy a chuckle and perhaps a little controversy at times. You do have to play around with art once in a while. 

I hope you enjoy this one. Thanks for dropping in! 

Seashell

The show is still on and life in the studio continues. I've been playing with small 5 x 7's as a way to relax yet keep working. They are fun, quick, and a great way to study individual subjects. This is the second seashell in a row I've painted. Both of them will be on display April 19, 20, and 21 for the Sudbury Art Club's annual spring show. Again, it will be held at the CNIB hall at the corner of York and Regent. Also, as previously mentioned, my solo exhibit is still on at Artists on Elgin in Sudbury, so please do take the time to go see it and sign my guest book! A few of the paintings have been sold, but the exhibit will be on until the end if April.

Thanks for dropping in and take care!

Seashell

5 x 7, oil on masonite

Carole Rodrigue, copyright 2013 

Show Reminder

The paintings are hung and the show is on! Saturday at 1:00 is the opening reception, but the paintings are now hanging on display at Artists on Elgin. Each piece was hung yesterday and here's a photo of me at the gallery beaming after everything was hung. It's a huge breather to have reached this point! Now, there are only a few details to take care of for Saturday's reception, but it's all coasting from this point on. I'm very excited about this and I do hope to see you there, so come and see the show!

Red Venetian Mask

Hi everyone! Still busy painting and getting ready for my show next month. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by. There are still so many ideas for paintings that I would love to do for this show, but so little time left.

Here's the latest work I've completed. It's a poor quality pic taken with my iPad. It's just not possible to take my art outside this winter to take proper photos in decent light.I hope you like it, and I also hope you can make it to the exhibit to see it in person!

"Secret Souls"

24 x 18, oil

Carole Rodrigue Copyright 2013

Solo Exhibit in April!

Hello everyone! I'm still very busy in the studio finishing a couple more pieces for my show in April. There are, of course, a lot of other final preparations to complete, such as framing, varnishing, cataloging, and other details. One of those final details is sending out invitations, so allow me to invite you to my show, to be held throughout April at Artists on Elgin, in Sudbury, Ontario. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, April 6, 2013, between 1:00-4:00. There is no fee, and everyone is welcome. Please come and see my art. It is for sale too. I would love to meet you!

P.S. I'm attaching an invite as well as posting a photo of "Return to Sender" framed. I absolutely love the effect created, as though a real package is sitting, floating in the frame as though you could just grab it and pull it out. Intended result achieved. :-)