Friday, April 8, 2011

Sneak Peek Friday

Spring has Sprung - 7" x 17" oil on board

Spring has sprung here and you can't help notice all the blooming flowers.  So, I painted this one evening for fun.  One good tip I've learned over the years is to use a larger brush.  It keeps your painting from getting all muddy and bogged down with unnecessary details.  These are imaginary flowers and the stamens are painted with a quick stroke of my palette knife.   I plan to make it a duo for sale in my Etsy shop soon.

One of my biggest problems is overworking the subject, especially faces.   I've painted all night and at the very last minute decide to take a paper towel and wiped it all off and start over in the morning. The best solution for this is to have two paintings going at the same time.  If I can force myself to switch, it usually will save the painting. I remember thinking, "Well this wasn't half bad at 11 p.m., what did I do?"  :)

Also, this week I treated myself  to a new camera lens for my SLR camera.  I know I won't feel like buying anything after we figure out our taxes.  I would feel too guilty.  The games we play with ourselves.  So I did it.  Wow, is it fun.  Look at these beautiful pictures.  I can't wait to get it out in public!




All from my backyard.


Once again, I am linking up with Studio JRU and all of you lovely Sneak Peek Talents!

15 comments:

Cindy said...

Love the painting - and those photos of flowers! Wow! I also appreciated the tips...I fear I overwork things (that's when I have to step away!) and I had never known that tip about a bigger brush...More experimenting to come I am sure!

Blessings...

Sherri A. Ohler said...

Beautiful! Love your style of painting-warm and bright all at the same time! GIFT.
Sherri Ohler
www.sdgartistry.com

Anonymous said...

OH, beautiful! Spring! It's been raining and snowing here....so dreary...I'm ready for spring!

Love the painting too!

Carola Bartz said...

I agree about the bigger brush!!!
Beautiful painting, the photos are gorgeous as well - isn't it fun to play around with a new lens?

Sandy Murphy Rhoden said...

Diana, you have such a crisp, clean way with color. There is a special mood that your paintings create. It makes you want to be there. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy R.

Diane said...

So gorgeous!--BOTH--the painting and those excellent photos!!!

con-tain-it said...

Just love ALL of your work...very beautiful! I hear you on over-working your pieces...I've done the same thing in the past and I have to tell myself as well to "just walk away"...can you hear Steve Tyler and Aerosmith? I've always got a few projects going at once...lately it's art journaling...so that I can keep my mojo going. I tend to do things in spurts...batch of cooking, pile of sewing, days of art journaling. Keeps it all interesting for me ;) Thanks for stopping by for Sneak Peek Friday. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Fondly, Roberta

Doreen @ Redesign by Grace said...

Beautiful movement in your paintings. Thanks for sharing. :)

Terri Smith said...

Okay Georgia O'Keefe..Now You're Just Showin' Off! :D Ha ha ha ha. Absolutely Love This Piece! And The Photos Were Wonderful! Friend, You So Are Very Gifted! Hugs Of Georgia Sunshine, Terri

Kelly Berkey said...

gorgeous painting! funny because i have these tiny 4x12 canvases and i had decided to paint a very similar impressionistic red flower painting like you just did.

i'm so glad you love your new lens. i just bought one myself and am having a blast with it. happy painting!!
xo

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Gorgeous Diana! I love the bright red against that pretty blue! Ahh. I have done that crazy moment of starting all over before! :) LOVE the flowers... so, so pretty!

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

So pretty!! I love it. I love how bright & cheery the red looks against the blue background. Looking forward to seeing more pictures with your new lens too!! :)

Kat Sloma said...

Lovely flowers! Wow, I needed that tip on a larger brush. I really do get bogged down in the details!

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

the lens was DEFINITELY worth the investment! And I am going to take the advice you gave about easing my need to CONSTANTLY TWEAK because it is true it ends up feeling OVERWORKED.

Beverley Baird said...

What a gorgeous painting! Your photos are lovely as well!