My Students' Work!

Being a high school art teacher can be long and tiring... often with little feed back from my students.  But this week, they showed some pretty solid progress in their drawing skills!  I'm proudly posting some of their works!

We spent a little time finding reference pictures, making a grid, transferring the image, and shading it realistically (pencil on paper).

This is from 2 of my Drawing 1 classes, and the improvement in their skills is rather exciting!  This is a sampling of my approximately 55 students in Drawing this semester. 

Well done!! I'm proud of you!! 

Yellow Halo

Yellow Halo, 11 x 7.5" watercolor on paper
©Helen C Read

matted in white and ready to frame in 14 x 11" frame

After being out of town last weekend and catching up all this week, I'm looking back and reposting a floral painting from a few years ago.  I was captured by the tiny yellow flowers that hovered above the center of this pink zinnia.  They appeared to be like a little halo.  This comes to you matted in white, ready to frame in a 14 x 11" frame.  It is ready to ship! 

A new commission I've started ~ first steps

I've been commissioned to do a landscape painting of a southwest mountain scene.  And this is my beginning.  Here, you see a toned canvas (20x24") and a lightly made pencil sketch. 

This is the next step.  I've used a light wash of color to show my basic composition.  The left side of the painting is still a little vague and being worked out.    I'll keep posting as I continue with my progress! 

For special offers and discounts - join my email list!

Join now! 
This week, a newsletter will be sent  and with it a special offer to my newsletter friends! 

Its easy to do - and your information is always kept private - It will never be shared!
You don't need to worry about too many emails coming your way, either - I only have time to send about 1 per month!  

Click here for a quick sign up!

Oil Pastel Landscapes!

Original Oil Pastel Landscapes 
Each of these is matted in white and ready to frame in a 9 x12" frame

Each measures 6x8" (unmatted size) and is priced at

(Domestic Shipping included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax)

I've been looking at some of my oil pastels and realized I have quite a few of them that need a home of their own!   Oil pastel paintings are lovely and expressive; lush in color and showing interesting textures.  Each of these are done in an Impressionistic style and depict different aspects of landscapes in different seasons.   I've matted each of these in white, making them ready to put into a standard 9x12" frame.  They are priced at an inviting price, and would make a distinctive gift (as the holidays approach) or would bring a delightful spot of color to your wall. 
Now is the perfect time to have one sent your way!  

From the Archives ~ Woodsy Oil Pastel

Woodland, 8.5 x 6" Oil pastel on paper
©Helen Read

matted and ready to frame in 12 x 9" frame

Have you ever wandered along a wooded trail - foggy - somewhat indistinct in the distance.  Often that type of light gives a quiet softness to the colors and shapes.  This painting gives that sense of mystery.  The style is reminiscent of the expressionists; the colors are lyrical. It invites the viewer in to walk along the pathway.