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. 

still working on this one ...

Floral watercolor/acrylic - 22x15" 

I have made progress on this ... but I know it is not at its final stage right now. There are certain parts that really are "working" in the overall plan and some parts that are not.  So, I will continue to think about this and make adjustments.   

My main idea in this piece was to try to depict the beauty of colorful new life blooming amidst the debris.  It seemed a metaphor for so many things we encounter.     As I continue to work this one out, I hope to come up with the right title too.    I'll post more soon!

Spring Cleaning!

I'm cleaning out my studio! 

I have a few paintings who have been completed for a while and really need to find their permanent home!   So, for a limited time (now until April 15th), I'm offering them at a very special price to celebrate spring's arrival (and help me clean up and get ready for more painting)! 

Now is a great time to pick up a great deal! 

Secret Path, 8x10" Oil on canvas

 

 

 Green on Blue,  7x5" Oil on canvas

SOLD

 Hollyhocks,  8x8" oil on canvas, gallery wrapped

SOLD

 What Remains - Vanishing landscape,  9x12" oil on canvas

 

Agave, 6x6" acrylic on clayboard 

 SOLD

Please do this! Its easy and free with great benefits!

Join now ~ Don't delay! 

This week, I'll be sending out another email newsletter with  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! 

As a list member, you'll get special offers and a rotating variety of other fun things that I don't offer anywhere else. You'll also be the first to find out about my newest adventures as an artist and instructor!  My email service keeps secures your info.  You won't be sent anything from anyone other than me!   Oh, and please let your friends know about my email list too!
I'm always looking to find new friends who love art!  

Spring Offering ~ Final Version

Spring Offering, 11x14" Oil on canvas

©2015 Helen Read

Tranquility.  Serenity.  And yes, a beautiful surprise among the leaves of various greens ~ a Redbud blooms!  This is a "snapshot" of springtime in the Midwest.  Winter gives way to springtime with a burst of unexpected color.  Often in the early morning, a soft mist accompanies the early hours. 

This painting captures that surprise and yet, also captures a sense of tranquility in the quiet water which reflects the environment that overhangs it.  The colors range from subtle gray tones that have blues and greens in the composition - to brighter greens in the foreground and the visual interest of the pink blooms.  For woodsy areas near my home, this is the essence of springtime! 

What I'm working on right now

11x14" Oil on canvas 

It has been a busy week, but I have found time to be at work in my studio.  I'm working on this landscape.  I'm exploring the idea of subtle value shifts, depth of space using atmospheric effect and how that affects edges and values - and colors.  I took this reference picture on a rather bright day - making the effect less bright, more overcast has been the challenge.  It's not finished yet - but I will finish it soon and post its final version!