Still-Life with Fruit

I'm going to try to finish this by New Year's Eve, so I'll be ready for the Jan. Challenge. I need a deadline so I'll know when to stop painting and call it done
This is from a photo reference; 12 x 16 inches on a gessoed panel:

1. Sketch with watercolor pencil


(need to find credit info for photo - will show it later)

I'll keep tabs on you so you so you keep on schedule. I would like to see your whole process anyway.

Judy

The sketch looks good, Callie. I like to use water colour pencils for this purpose too. I'm with Judy - I want to see all the major steps in the process of completeing this painting too.

Now the pressure is on - no turning back!
Well, I won't guarantee a masterpiece, but I thought it would be a good subject to show some under painting, layering and glazing, as well as how I use some of the mediums.
I've never cared to paint with watercolors, but I really like the wc pencils to start with. It's so much easier to get rid of mistakes or change the drawing (eraser, damp brush or paper towel).

I frequently use my soft pastel pencils to sketch for the same reasons.

Judy

Callie, Thank you for sharing your progress on this painting! I'm pulling up a chair. I never thought of using watercolor pencils for the sketch. I have a set that I never used. Yes I'm bad.

Well, I have a set of oil pastels I've never used (Judy made me think of them)!
Maybe we should talk about our drawing and under painting preferences in the Mix Up forum - and I'd better get this painting going....

I've never thought about the oil pastels because I don't have any. Callie I think I'll take your suggestion and start a discussion in Mix-up.

Judy

Here's the first oil layer. For this, I used a little Artisan thinner, just enough to dampen the brush and spread the paint around. At first, I decided to leave the magenta cloth out - just make everything green. Then decided to to put the magenta back in. I normally don't use white at this stage, but for this, I needed to put something on the dish to start scrubbing some shadows into.
While the paint is wet (and thin) I use a damp brush (thinner or water) to wipe out where the high-lights will be.
I'll wait for it to dry some before painting/glazing the fabric. Will probably work on the fruit next.



Thanks for your interest (now I have to keep going!)

This is so great Callie. I'm already learning a lot. Thanks again for sharing your process. I'm looking forward to you next update!

Thanks Janet

Isn't anyone else working on something? Don't leave me all alone in here!

I like the fact that you left the magenta cloth in. It balances beautifully with the pomegranates (????) I don't think that just using the green would have looked as great as this does.

I'm busy making a wooden plaque for a Christmas present and doing it in acrylics. I'm experimenting with acrylic gel for lifting laser printed letters to use on it. Painting letters are a real pain. I'll probably post it in general chat since it is all acrylic.

Judy

Great to see it with colour! Now I can tell the other fruit is pomegranites and persimmons! The draperies look good - much better with the two colours than if you had just stuck to one.

I'm glad the fruit is recognisable - that's a step in the right direction. Thanks all for the magenta/green opinions - I like it better like that, too. I'm relieved no one liked the solid green idea!

Judy - Looking forward to seeing your plaque - I hope you'll explain the process.

Callie wrote:

Isn't anyone else working on something? Don't leave me all alone in here!

I'd like to help you out with that one but I work mostly Alla Prima so not much in the way of steps to show. You're the pioneer... plowing new ground.

Janet - that's no excuse! Just stop about mid-way and take a picture. Or show how you get started; working all over at once, or completing areas/sections one at a time.

Hmm you got me their. If I can remember to stop I'll give it a try.

Finally got some more done on this:



I glazed some olive green/aliz crimson over the fabric and put some color on the fruit, etc.

Wow Callie, your painting is looking great! The realism is amazing!

Thanks Janet!
New Year's Resolution #1 - Finish it before next New Year's Eve

The fruit look great and I really like the shadows in the bowl - they give it good depth. You'll be finished way before next new year!

The painting is great! What still needs to be done?

Judy

It's about half-way done, I think. Everything needs some going over; colors, shadows, then it needs the final highlights. I will try to stop before it turns into plastic fruit!

Looks great Callie and yeah I know what you mean. I've turned stuff to plastic in past efforts. I call it polishing. I heard someone say it takes two artists to paint a painting. One to paint it and one to take away the brush.

So true, Tommy! I've found that painting with some other artists is a very good thing. I show up with my painting, ready to add another layer, etc... and they take a look and say something like "Oh, so it's finally finished - glad you brought it in so we could see the final version, what are starting now?" Works just as well as pulling the brush out of my hand!