If I want to paint a still life, I set it up very carefully, photograph and crop it, perhaps move the objects or fiddle with the lighting and then photograph it again until I am satisfied. This will take place of the 'thumbnail' or planning sketch. I start drawing with the paintbrush on the canvas, only referring to the photo to get the composition right, but working from the actual still-life. I put the camera away and continue painting. I will hardly refer back to the photo unless I … [Read more...]
Large vase paintings
I have always felt that a still-life needs to exude a sense of presence - or stillness - and beauty. When I pick up a beautiful bowl I want to caress it and enjoy its texture and shape. it is an object that is sensual. this is what I woudl like to convy in my large still-life paintings. For this reason, I chose vases and decided to show them as if they are museum exhibits. The background is birchply with a thin wash of white oils and it is carved to create texture and flatten the … [Read more...]
Shadows and reflections
One of the exciting things about starting something new - like painting still-life - is to discover what abstract qualities you like painting. I adore shadows and reflections (and pattern and texture). In this painting, there are the reflections of light on the bottle and a coloured shadow cast by the bottle. There is also a faint cast shadow on the left hand side. Then the colour varies from one side of the horizon to the other. Sometimes I have to invent shadows and reflections. In my tulip … [Read more...]