More....

Well, it is one of the busiest weeks of the school year this week with our student art exhibit- so my work on this has temporarily slowed a bit.  But, I'm adding some touches to cool the predominance of warm colors just a little.   I hope that it will be in it's final form very shortly!   If you look back a few posts, you will see the progression, I think! 

Almost finished!

This week I've been working on a new landscape. (9x12" - oil on panel).  I've challenged myself to work with values within a color (mostly green).  The value range is  what makes for a more complete painting.  There are also other considerations, such as color temperature and edges that create atmospheric perspective. It's easy for the eye to be distracted by the color... It can even be deceptive to the artist as work progresses.   Within the many greens in this, there is also much gray.  I find that the longer I paint (now several decades of work), the more I know that I don't know! The more I need to learn!

So, this is not done.  I am pleased with some passages in it, but after some drying time I will make some adjustments. 

Below are some pictures of its progress: 

Don't forget about Mother's Day!!

There's Still Time to Give a Flower for Mother's Day!   

Descanso Iris Print

10.5 x 7" matted in white to fit a 14 x11" frame 

This original painting, which was sold to NBC Studios for the set of Chicago Fire, is now available as a giclee* print! 
How cool to own a print that is nearly impossible to distinguish from the original painting, but priced at far less!   It is printed on a textured watercolor-type archival paper with vibrant inks.

*What is a giclee print?  The term  "Giclee print" refers to advanced technology in printmaking. Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks on fine archival paper.  This process yields a higher color accuracy than other means of reproduction, as well as excellence in image quality and fine detail. And because inks and paper are archival, prints are light-fast and non water soluble.  It is rather difficult to tell the original from the print! 

Its a terrific way to hang a lovely piece of art at a great price! 

The Thaw - in its final form!

The Thaw, 9x12" Oil on panel

© Helen Read

It's taken a few weeks, but this landscape is now finished - and titled! 
This just captures the tail end of winter here in the Midwest.  It illustrates that time when leaves haven't yet started to unfold, there is still a little snow left in the some shady places, dried leaves are still littering the ground, and there is just a hint of green beginning to show itself in a few sparse places.  The air is still chilled, but nothing like the icy winter months. This is the very beginning of our spring time! 

I learned a lot while working on this painting.  I used a gessoed panel, which has a smooth surface.  The paint handles differently; it does things it doesn't do on canvas.  I used both brush and palette knife.  To get the smooth, misty appearance, I used a brush.  To get the more highly textured foreground, I used a palette knife.  Overall, it has a rather impressionistic feel. 

Thinking of a title...while I work.

Yes,  I'm still working on this!  I'm pleased with the progress, and a little unsure of how to go about the foreground... Crackly leaves - not much spring growth - thawing ice and snow.  You know... The tail end of winter!  

I'm pleased with the juxtaposition of warm and cool colors and values. I'm also pleased with the sense of atmospheric perspective.  I also like that I learn so much as I work. 

This current early spring landscape is progressing!

Here it is!  Not finished, of course, but more progress on it this morning.  It measures 11x14" and I'm using gessoed panel, which is relatively new to me.  It is very smooth and so the paint reacts and applies a little differently.  I'm also working on capturing a misty light, which makes for lovely colors.  I'm working largely from my memory of woodsy walks, this is pretty much what the color of early spring in the Midwest looks like.  The colors are muted.  Not much in the way of green yet. Yet, the lovely play of light.  I'll be posting more on this soon!  

Perfect for Mother's Day!! The Beautiful Descanso Iris Print

Descanso Iris Print

10.5 x 7" matted in white to fit a 14 x11" frame 

This original painting, which was sold to NBC Studios for the set of Chicago Fire, is now available as a giclee* print! 
How cool to own a print that is nearly impossible to distinguish from the original painting, but priced at far less!   It is printed on a textured watercolor-type archival paper with vibrant inks.

\*What is a giclee print?  The term  "Giclee print" refers to advanced technology in printmaking. Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks on fine archival paper.  This process yields a higher color accuracy than other means of reproduction, as well as excellence in image quality and fine detail. And because inks and paper are archival, prints are light-fast and non water soluble.  It is rather difficult to tell the original from the print! 
Its a terrific way to hang a lovely piece of art at a great price! 

Have you ever wanted to see a painting come together?

Spirit,  22 x 30" Acrylic on paper
©2010, Helen Read

About 5 years ago, I painted this abstract, Spirit.  As I painted, I photographed the progress along the way and then made a short video to show its unfolding from concept to final stroke!  Its been awhile since I posted this - so I thought I'd post it again!  
 Hope you enjoy seeing a painting come together in a little less than 3 minutes!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1heITwEAvk

The Scent of Spring

Scent of Spring, 6.5 x 8" watercolor on Yupo paper 

©2015 Helen Read 

SOLD

Its nearly here!  The spring bloom of apple trees... I can't wait! 
I love the beautiful pink and white blooms and the smell is pretty indescribable!
This little botanical is created with watercolor and it's done on the very smooth Yupo paper that doesn't absorb water.  The unusual pooling pattern you see in the painting is from the way the water and pigment evaporate on the surface.