build a portfolio of still life studies in pastel

This is another attempt at a botanical. I actually like this one but it was difficult. I have no idea why plants and flowers are so hard for me. But I guess if I am not challenging myself than what is the point?

I want to also add that I would not have sat down to work if it hadn’t been for a few good friends who have been encouraging me.
Thank you guys.

I posted the smaller pear half that now resides with DoubleN. This is a larger version with alot of negative space. I love negative space. I like how you can make an object like a toy or this piece of fruit become the center of your attention.
I love the subtle differences in the shades of different pears and plan to do more. Although sometimes I imagine myself painting pears fuchsia or electric blue just for fun.

I hope to one day have 43 still life paintings posted here.

I finished the painting of Sadie and got it in the mail to Wren. Hopefully she gets it today. I had never painted a dog before, so I was really scared to even attempt to do Sadie’s portrait.Trying to capture Sadie’s beauty and charm on paper was difficult. I’m glad I attempted this because it is giving me some confidence that I can try new subjects.

Big hugs to Wren!!

I love painting toys now. The whole process relaxes me and makes me happy. View Masters were my favorite toys as a child so I am glad I finally used one as a subject. I am very happy with this one and want to keep using an “antiqued” palette of colors.

I had fun painting this little guy. I want to get some more Fisher Price people and paint them as a group. My goal right now, I am going to try to paint as often as I can.

It’s been 2 months since I have worked on anything. That’s bad. I had been struggling with ideas for interesting toys as subjects when my best friend sent me this little guy. He is tricky to paint because of his rounded body and sharp ears….and he is mostly black which is hard for me to see contours. I am actually having even more trouble creating an image on white paper than ever. I can only “see” in the negative….so drawing anything black is challenging.

So here he is so far.

Finally finished the background.I am very happy with this one. I just wish I had more discipline in my art. This is something I need to work on.

Almost every single night I go to sleep and wake up 3 hours later. During that time, I can either watch infomercials or work with my pastels. :)

This is my first try at a sunflower. The photo is one that I took in North Carolina on the 4th of July. I used it to get the shape and then I decided to make up the colors as I go along.

lately I get a painting done up to 90% and then let it sit around for awhile. I am not sure why I am doing that. I think I get so scared I am going to screw it up, I just put finishing it out of my mind.

I started working on this vintage rabbit toy at about 3am (insomnia again!). I love this toy. I found this photo on an eBay listing and the seller said I could use it for a drawing.The only problem I see right now is I have no idea how to draw those wheels right, so I dont know when I will finish this one.

Happy riding, mister rabbit!

I finished Robby the Robot from “Forbidden Planet” over the weekend. I am VERY proud of this piece :)
I just realized it took 3 weeks to finish!! UGH!!