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Category: Reference Photos

September 14, 2011
Kathy
11 Comments

Finally… Tomatoes

Posted in Reference Photos

Finally… Tomatoes

After battling poor soil, and every creature this side of the Mississippi, we have tomatoes!  Ok…. two tomatoes!   We have success with what the critters don't like to eat  – peppers, chives, squash of all kinds. But for some reason,  we can not get a tomato inside before someone snacks on it. Apparently tomatoes in our yard are the equivalent to chocolate cake  –  gone in a jiffy!  I picked these a little early before they disappeared. They'll finish  ripening  up in the window sill for a day or two.

Here they are!  I like photographing fruits and vegetables on a white surface. It keeps the focus on the subject and really shows the shadows, highlights, and details.  These guys are now on my very long list of painting ideas. 

July 15, 2011
Kathy
3 Comments

Even More Bunnies in My Yard

Posted in Musing About Art, and Reference Photos

Even More Bunnies in My Yard

Here's one of the newest batch of  bunnies. Do I dare ask how many batches a year rabbits have?…..best not to know, just enjoy they're adorable cuteness!  These photos were taken from inside, through the window.

New babies

What is it about this planter that attracts the bunnies?

Muncing on flowers

Luckily he's so little that all his munching won't do too much damage.

Each one is different - this one has a white spot on his head

Each rabbit is a little different.  This little guy has a white spot in the middle of his forehead. It's fun to get to recognize each individual rabbit as they grow.  I probably won't paint  his little white spot in a painting because it's not very common and would distract from the painting.  Good old artistic license – keeps the painting from looking like I splash white paint on his forehead!

July 13, 2011
Kathy
2 Comments

Painting Daisies

Posted in Musing About Art, and Reference Photos

Painting Daisies

I paint a lot of daisies. I love seeing them waving in the summer breezes in July & August. Their whites and yellows are so airy and fresh in the summer heat.

Daisies

I have several patches of them around the yard to paint en plein or photograph for later.  [En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.]

More daisies

Daisies are a simple flower to paint and I like that they can be painted in so many different styles and moods. Give them a grey undertone, and they have a softer, understated feel. Paint them with greens tints and they have a more woodsy feel. Punch up the yellow centers and they have a happier feel. They can be painted loosely  or finely detailed.  It's a great flower to paint!

June 23, 2011
Kathy
6 Comments

Bunnies In My Yard

Posted in Reference Photos

Bunnies In My Yard

I've written in the past about the bunnies in my yard. They are so darn cute….. except when they eat my flowering quince bush….   We have  what must be a vary  large new batch of babies nibbling in every corner of the yard.  They are palm size – so little and cute!

They've shown up regularly in my paintings over  the years.  They move too quickly to get lots of photos.  I guess I don't have the patience to sit quietly and wait for them. I'd make a lousy wildlife photographer.  But you can learn a lot about your subject by watching them in motion…..preferably inside with a nice cup of coffee. : – )   If you've ever  watched rabbits, they suddenly take off running in zigzags for no apparent reason, giving you get plenty of time seeing them in motion.  I love the more rounded features and short little ears of the babies.  And over time, you can tell the difference between them by size, narrowness of the face, and variations in fur coloring.

Here's a peek at a few photos I managed to grab of them:

Isn't he a cutie? He or she is only 4 –  5  inches or so from nose to tail.

Sometimes they get way too comfortable around here.  This was freshly planted with flower seeds. Guess it looked like a comfy place to hang out.  This is one of the photos taken from inside.

June 20, 2011
Kathy
One Comment

New Shell Painting

Posted in Art Work, and Reference Photos

New Shell Painting

I have a new miniature painting up at my Etsy shop. I used some sea shells I have on hand from various family members. I laid them out on my work table as models to paint from directly.  I painted the shells on a background of the beach and seashore where they were first found.

Here is the new miniature:

New painting of shells with ruler to show size.

I have a larger, newly started beach painting that will also include shells. I hope to have that painting done by next month. So stay tuned.