New Still Life Painting

I haven't painted with oils since painting class in college back in 2003. I was pretty decent at it. Shocked my professor at the time....I only worked strictly in charcoal and she thought I would have had a more difficult time with oil painting. I prefer oils over watercolors for a variety of reasons. It takes longer to dry. I can redraw with the oil paints. Watercolors are a bit unforgiving. I can paint and repaint over and over with oils. The best part of working with oils is that you can add the highlights LAST. With watercolors you have to be careful to retain them. I try to do that with oils also however all is not lost if I don't.

That being said I did a quick still life study in oils of a bowl and some fruit. Yes, I know, really original, right? Considering I haven't worked with oils in so long I didn't deem it wise to jump into a major project right away. I completed it on canvas board and it took me about 3 hours to complete it. Below is my painting, still on the easel, and the still life set up I used. I was standing at the easel looking down on it rather than at face level. I don't really have a studio space as of yet. I have a desk that is set up strictly for drawing and watercolors...my poor easel hasn't had much use due to my lack of space to set up. I am in my living room in front of one of the windows. I used only natural light to paint it also...one light source is more than enough to keep up with. I am working on another project...once I am able to hunt down some foamcore I'll have those posted ASAP!



Not bad for an almost 6 year hiatus. It measures 11" x 14". I don't really do small oil paintings. I prefer 24" x 30" on up however the lack of space causes me to economize.

This is at a slightly different angle than the one used to paint the still life however you get the idea.

More good news...Some of my work is being displayed in a local art gallery called "The Art Spot" in Lexington, South Carolina. The Cat and Fish drawing (now entitled "Fishing") and the watercolor Siamese (now entitled "Curious") are now hanging there. The gallery owner said she will list that I also do pet portraits. I am really thrilled about the exposure and I'm currently working on pieces to display in another local gallery.