Window Sill Sunshine, 12x9" oil on canvas
©Helen Read
This one is still drying and will soon be posted on my website!
https://HelenCRead.com
Abundance 8x8" oil on gessoed panel
©Helen Read
Available framed in a contemporary black frame (3/4" deep and 1" across the face)
Ready to hang!
or
sold unframed
Domestic shipping is included ~ IL residents please add 8% sales tax.
Click here for more information and a purchase link for this painting
Lilacs - for so many reasons! They have such a beautiful array of color - from pale lavender to deep, rich magenta... and everything in between. They are graceful and have such a delightful scent.
They are a great subject to paint, and the painting brings bold splash of color to any location.
Shown above unframed, framed, and what it might look like on a wall in a room.
There's never been a better time than NOW! Learn to draw with skill and confidence - or - build your drawing skills to a new level! The Incredible Pencil Drawing Course is an online experience that allows you to develop skill and confidence with proven techniques and exercises! I've taught hundreds of students to draw for many years... and I know that everyone who wants to learn can learn! Whether you are new to drawing or have drawing experience, this course will give you new skills and confidence!
Find out all all the details right here!
There's never been a better time than NOW to get started! You'll be amazed at what you can do!
The Flower Stall, 7.5 x 5.5" watercolor on paper
©Helen Read
Matted and ready for an 8x10" frame!
Two Mini-Courses to Choose From (or register for both!)
Lilacs in a Watering Can Still Life Painting
Bluebells in the Woods Landscape Painting
I'm so excited to introduce my 2 new watercolor mini-courses... With each of them, you'll paint along with me step-by-step to create your own lovely watercolor painting. Whether you are just beginning to paint or have some experience, you'll find these courses are fun and easy to follow. In each one, you'll get:
Winter Cardinal
5x7" watercolor on paper, matted for an 8x10" frame
©Helen Read
SOLD
matted in white as shown
Includes domestic shipping, IL residents please add 8% sales tax.
Here in Illinois, Cardinals remain with us through the winter months; a beautiful spot of bright color in an otherwise monochromatic world. They particularly stand out when in an evergreen tree.
They have a lovely, slender form and seem quite regal to me.
This view came to my by surprise! Would you ever imagine that it is located in town! on a rather busy intersection? In fact, its not far from my house and I often walk by this corner. The woods are thick, but not too deep right there and I caught this just as the eastern morning light was flooding in... it was rather breath taking!
The glory of the sunshine lit the entire corner of this woods up and, to me, it was worthy of remembering!
Once again, I've used sunflowers as a model several times just lately. They "pose" very well! I never get tired of their bright color. In this painting, I've coupled their sunny faces with a more complementary background. And of course, the blue vase gives it a different pop of color!
This is ready to send to brighten its new home, either framed or unframed.
Whewww... these last few months have been super busy! I'd been preparing for a workshop in Chicago, which went well. I've traveled out of town, done a commission and several more paintings. But I haven't been posting here. :( But, I am now!
This one is just
shipped out - Sunflower Trio - oil on panel. It's framed version (which
always finishes a painting off beautifully) is shown below... same
painting, but the lighting is a bit different in the framing.
I love them!
I've been preparing for an upcoming watercolor workshop I'll be teaching in Chicago.
These are the 2 painting that participants will receive materials and instruction to complete.
Preparing has been intensive, but I think it will be a fun day.
Lilacs in a Watering Can - 5x7" watercolor on paper
and
Bluebells in the Woods - 5x7" watercolor on paper
Sunflowers! They do seem to dance and sway in the summer sunlight! They are the icon of summertime! I love the deep golden color and the way they follow the light! This watercolor painting is matted in white, and it has an option for framing.
Please visit my website for pricing, purchase link, and frame options.
(Domestic shipping is included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax.)
Swedish Birches, matted in white to fit a 11x14" frame
oil pastel painting on illustration board
©Helen Read
Unframed option - comes matted and ready to frame
Domestic shipping is included, IL residents please add 8% sales tax.
Please visit this link for all the details, pricing, and framing option.
Oil pastel is a beautiful medium for painting! It's blendable, yet it shows expressive stroke marks.
This pastoral scene captures a Swedish countryside with a stand of young birches and wispy grasses in the foreground. Softly muted colors and a sense of minimalism that so is often expressed in Scandinavian design is exactly what this painting speaks to the viewer!
It is shipped either ready to frame in a standard 11x14" frame, or framed in a simply beautiful wooden frame (1" deep x 3/4" across the face).
Summer Cathedral
20x16" oil on canvas
(ready to frame - or - with a frame option)
©Helen Read
Please visit here for more details about this painting!
Color.... I seem to always be chasing more interesting color combinations and how they relate to one another. I'm working with oil pastels to try some new combinations... to see the atmosphere they create. In this experiment - I was working with warm and cool combinations - juxtaposed next to one another... I like the sense mystery that has resulted.
If you look closely, there are subtle juxtapositions - warm colors that have a leaning toward cool. Cool colors that learn toward warm. And also, value shifts that are intriguing.
Experimenting and working with known variables in a new way is an important part of discovery.
What's next for this?? Possibly a full sized oil painting will come from
these color combinations.
Magical, don't you think? Sunlight filters through leaves of golden green, floating on a sea of blue.
To me, there is magic in the woods! And bluebells add their glory!
What a gift given to the one who will stop and see!
Ready to frame
(domestic shipping included - IL residents please add 8% sales tax)
Peonies and Lavender, 5x7" watercolor on paper
matted in white and ready to put into a 8x10" frame
©2021 Helen Read
(Domestic Shipping is included,
IL residents please add 8% sales tax)
Please visit my website for details, pricing, and framing option for this painting.
Floral in Blue Jar,
7x5" watercolor on paper
matted in white and ready for a 8x10" frame
©2021 Helen Read
(domestic shipping included,
IL residents please add 8% sales tax)
Floral in a Blue Jar was
done with a combination of watercolor and ink. The ink and soft colors create the sense
of a charming bygone era. The summery colors are offset by the
transparent blue jar, with some shadow notes of lavender. This lovely still life is ready to slip into a frame and hang!
Summer Scents
© Helen Read
7x5" Oil on gesso panel
Available framed in a black wooden frame - 1.5" deep and .75" across the face
or unframed
(pricing includes domestic shipping. IL residents please add 8% sales tax.)
Peony Blossom ~ Perfect Beauty
© Helen Read
7x5" Oil on gesso panel
Available framed in black wood - 1..5" deep, .75" across the face)
Peonies are one of my favorites! This little watercolor is my free download print
for the month of June!
It's available to my friends who have subscribed to my email list... every month I have a little free gift like this - maybe you'd like to join us!? No pressure... no purchases are necessary...
We just stay in touch and I share what's happening in my studio!
This link will get you all set up to join us!
Sunspots, 9x12" oil on linen panel
©Helen Read
Not far from where I live there is an old farm. It's a step into history. On the approach to the farm, there's a bridge over a creek and this painting is a view that I saw as the sun dipped farther toward the horizon. Just a few bright spots of color landed in the deepening shadows.
Moments of complete tranquility... the lazy flow of water, light and shadow, and blues against greens.
A sense of another place and time!
Framing is a matte black contemporary wooden frame. It is 1.5" deep and
approx 3/4" wide on the face. This option simplifies the decision,
purchase, and waiting period for framing to occur. When you receive your
painting, it is ready to hang!
(Photo available on request. Please email me)
This little watercolor was a free download to my friends in my May newsletter. Each month, I make a new work of art available to those who have subscribed! It's easy to join :). Click here ~ be added and at the beginning of each new month, you'll get a colorful, newsy note and downloadable art... and other fun surprises!
Studios have to be cleaned too!
I need to make room for new works - so these featured paintings need to find their new home! See below for a larger photo and purchase links!
Don't delay... 4/30 is just around the corner - and as you can see, the cottage painting has already found it's new home!
Domestic shipping is included in this great price.
And there's a framed option and unframed option for each of them.
The frames are wooden - 1.5" deep and 3/4" on the face.
They are either (as noted) black or cherry wood.
Post sale - Visit my website
! There's more to be seen!
What's so charming than walking through a street market and finding a flower stall.
The colors sing! The textures of the foliage!
The scents!
I've captured just a segment of a flower stall in this watercolor.
Matted and ready for a 8x10" frame.
Domestic shipping is included.
(IL residents please add 8% sales tax)
A framed option is available as well. A black wooden contemporary frame.
1" deep and 3/4" across the face.