Similar Values

This was an interesting study with similar values. The green bottle, background and black bowl were similar in value but slightly different. This meant decisions had to be made to distinguish them while remembering my tendencies are to paint values darker. 
I see where the values could  be pushed more apart. Good lesson.

Studying The Light

This was a wonderful study and lesson about seeing light and the color relationship.  The blue bottle has subtle colors from it surrounding. The flowers are bright yet they are cool in the shadow.

Thrift Store Find

This skeleton followed me home from the local thrift store. Perfect for practicing drawing.

"It Wasn't Me"

I enjoyed painting this 8"x10" cat portrait today with my dear friend, Audi Stanton.  I used a palette with black, white, magenta, cerulean blue, yellow ocher, cadmium yellow pale, viridian and cadmium red light.  I painted this with a number 2 flat and a number 6 flat.

"It Wasn't Me" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas 8"x10" Brush on Board

Brush Versus Palette Knife

I painted a still life study using a brush and then painted it, again, using  a palette knife in this week's workshop. I love way you can capture the light with the palette knife. The color is cleaner.

Brush

Palette knife

Keeping Things In Perspective

It was COLD this morning so I bundled up with several layers to practice perspective. I spent about two hours on this 8x10 before calling it quits.
Oh and I used my new mini Strada. It quickly became my favorite setup. What a wonderful, lightweight piece of equipment. I bought the two additional trays and use my Easy L tripod.  With a couple of essential, small tubes of paint and two, flat brushes to keep the carrying weight down, it is now a perfect setup.
Also, instead of gamsol, I use Utretcht safflower oil.  I took a tip from an artist to use a plastic, zip-lock bag inside my brush canister. The reason for the bag is to make it easier to clean by just pulling out the bag and replacing it with a new one. . 

Now all I have to do is purchase a RayMar art box with a lightweight backpack and I will be all set.

Plein Air Study - 8"x10" Oil with brush on canvas board

All Aboard!

Here is my palette knife painting of pears.

"All Aboard!" Oil on Canvas Board 8"x10"

Looking Back On My 2014 Art

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Thank You!

I want to thank all of you who have supported and purchased my art at Wright's Gallery in Brookings, Oregon. Sales have been wonderful.  There are also more paintings available as of yesterday for all you cat lovers.
I will make more cat clocks this week since they are almost sold out.
Thank you, again.

Cat Tail Clock (SOLD)

It's Black and White

Here is a black and white kitty.

"Black And White" 5X7 Oil on Canvas Board

Pink Nose Kitty - SOLD

This is a 6 x 8  inch oil painting of a pink nose kitty. Does it look like anyone you know?

Left Over Paint And Used Canvas Board

I had grey puddles left over from yesterday and decided to paint cats. I used large brushes and didn't fuss too much.   Here are some very quick and I mean quick cat studies.

It's A Good Life

Here is my work from the last couple of weeks.

8"x10" Canvas Board with Palette Knife.

Incomplete Study.

Plein Air get together in Oak Park. 8"x10" Canvas Board.

Study that I accidentally dropped on the ground smeared the paint.

Simplifying

I am working to simplify my work to improve my plein air paintings. I tried to make every stroke count in this painting of Harris Beach, Oregon.

"Harris Beach, Brookings, OR"  By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas, 8"x10" Oil On Canvas Board

"Harris Beach Southern View"

I couldn't resist trying out my new paint techniques today at Harris Beach in Brookings, Oregon. What a beautiful day.
This is a south view of Crescent City. I eliminated the houses that you can see because they would immediately be the focal points.
I think I will paint it, again, with the houses to see the difference.

"Harris Beach Southern View" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - Oil On Canvas Board 9"x16"

Too Lazy To Clean My Palette

I was just too lazy to clean my palette when I painted this kitty. But... I like it.

"Purple Haze Cat"  By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas 5"X7" Oil On Canvas Board

Two Slightly Different Styles

So I worked on two different styles today.  It is difficult to see much difference. The one on the left is layering paint color on top of each layer and the one of the right is mixing the color.
It was easier for me to keep the value on the left. Hmm... interesting.

"Pretty Precious" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas

What a pretty, precious kitty and this cat knows it.  This is a limited palette painting on canvas board.  I used a large number 8 flat brush to paint it.

"Pretty Precious" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - 5"x7" Oil On Canvas Board

"Guilty!" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas

This cat is obviously guilty of something. Ripping the couch, climbing on the counters or eating someone's dinner. This is a limited palette painting and to be honest, very fun to paint. 

"Guilty!" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - 5"X7" Oil on Canvas Board

"Green Eyes" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas SOLD

This is a green eyed, marmalade cat that looks very similar to a cat I had for years. I painted it on a 6"x8" canvas.

"Green Eyes" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - 6"x8" Oil on Canvas

"Meow-llo" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - SOLD

Here is another Brookings, OR cat.  I painted him with a limited palette, mixed my black and toned my canvas board with transparent red oxide.

"Meow-llo" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - Oil on 5"x7" Canvas Board

Pulling It Together

I am trying to take everything I have learned to pull a painting together. So today I worked on brush work and color.   I put down complementary colors around the objects and layered paint over it.    This is painted on a 12x16 canvas sheet.

Black Cat Without Black Paint

I painted this Brookings, Oregon black cat today without black paint and a limited palette. Curious? I mixed ultramarine blue with red oxide to create "black".  I think I should push the purples and blues next time but other than that I am happy with this piece. 

"Black Is Back" By Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas - 5"x7" Oil on Canvas Board

Where To Go From Here?

I have studied impressionism, tonalism and now I am studying expressionism. I am struggling with the latter.  This does not mean I am giving up but it certainly supports the saying "Life is short. Art is long".

Harbor Study On Linen Sheet

A Wonderful Workshop With The Best Views

I enjoyed a week in a workshop painting on the coast. But sometimes, it is more than just about the painting. 

Lone Ranch Study

Lone Ranch Study 2

Whaleshead Expressionist Study

Boats at the port.

Arch Rock tree with ivy heart,

Low tide.

Starfish washed up on the beach in this pattern. Amazing.

Red moon over the ocean.