Kevin’s Painting Blog

Another year went by, I didn’t do squat for painting this year.  Despite that, I did brake a few barriers on the one’s that I did do I think.  I’ve got some I still need to post here.  Anyway, here’s a shot from the annual New Years party from Ash.

I have noticed that the paintings which I end up being most pleased with are those that I was able to paint rapidly.  Take this dog painting I just funished - I whipped it out in 3 hours max.  I spent one hour on the underpainting, let it dry for a day, and then finished the rest the next day in one sitting.  Here’s how it went….

Day one, the under painting:

I did it in a thin wash of ultramarine blue because the dog had a orange/brown coat and wanted to use the complimentary color for it, hoping specs would show through in the final painting (which they did.)  This is where most of the time was taken on this painting.  I have found that if you spend time here getting your drawing correct, etc, it pays off big dividends later.

Day Two, Stage One:

First I laid in the darkest dark’s located under the chin and on top of the head.  Then I went in with the darker browns.  This took me no time at all, probably 20-30 minutes max.

Day Two, Stage Two:

Here, I went in with the lighter colors.  Honestly, from here on the painting went real easy.

Day Two, Stage Three:

From here it was just a matter of putting in the lightest lights, finishing the nose, adding a background, etc.

Probably one of the easiest paintings I have ever done. The blue specks that show through don’t show up well on this photo but I am pleased with how they come out on the finished painting.

Things I could have done - put in some reflected light around the chin in the form shadow using a bit of blue-green mixed with the red-orange.   Won’t change it now though - I already signed it.

Haven’t posted here in a long time, time to do some catching up.

First, did a few paintings and worked really quick on them…here they are.

Just a few bananas and a plum.  However, the goal was to work fast and I accomplished that, finishing this in about 2 hours.  Not the most interesting painting, but I am really getting to like painting fast. (full size)

Some very light roses in a metal can.  The whole thing went real fast except for the roses themselves - there were tough. I still didn’t catch it, but oh well. (full size)

Some limes, a lemon, and garlic.  I like the composition, this went real fast, about 2-3 hours.(full size)

Lastly, I just finished this one today (full size).  A friend of a friend wanted her poodle painted.  This took me 3-4 hours, I like how it turned out.  Did this one from a photo.  I did an under drawing in ultramarine blue and bits of it peak out in places, not bad.  Didn’t charge enough, again.

My first blog post, wow. I really should have been doing this on a more regular basis, oh well. The first four years in Japan have been rather hectic. For starters, I had to transition my main means of making a living from the USA to here. There have been things, people, and issues that have been somewhat of a distraction. A good friend died, as did my father-in-law. This summer I took up surfing again, something I hadn’t done since my early 30’s and got addicted.  I have also spent the last year getting my body back into shape and have no regrets about that! I started taking aikido. What can I say, when it comes to painting I go in cycles. At least I always come back to it.  Now that I’m “back”, it’s time to get productive! I usually pump out a bunch of stuff when I’m in the cycle so hopefully I’ll have some things to post here.

Tonight, however, will be a night of drinking absinthe and then heading to the shrine with my friends to welcome in the new year.