pastel on pastelmat
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www,djfitzgerald.com
I have Susie pretty much the way I want her. I think I will go back and take in her shirt some more in the back. I did the front... maybe a little more there too. Uranda is coming along well. Her neck is going to be a lot of work to get that richness that I like. The color is different on this surface... takes a little getting used to. I think I want to to try doing a little underpainting with this paper in the future... I think I will research it some first...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Susie, Uranda & Stella #4
pastel on pastelmat
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www,djfitzgerald.com
Moving right along! I will go back and "clean" things up a bit later... but I do like the contrast between the softness of Susie's face and the coarseness of her shirt. And as I am looking at it now... I think I need to take her shirt in a little. It is a bit blousie and I have a good feeling that she will not be happy. Susie is a professional rider and is definitely not fat. In my 25 years of doing portraits it is always a good idea to make everyone a little thinner... men too! And almost everyone requests it. And interestingly enough, its the thinnest people that usually request it up front! I have actually had people bring back portraits months after they had received them, to make them look thinner! One women actually lost weight a year after the portrait was completed and requested that I change the portrait to make her even thinner! Had the portrait shipped all the way from Puerto Rico just to have it changed. On pastels it really depends on the piece as to whether I can do it or not. In that case I could, and did. I did not charge her... I want people to be happy with their portraits. In the end, they are going to be living with them hopefully for the rest of their lives. I want them to be a remembrance of a wonderful time in their lives.
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www,djfitzgerald.com
Moving right along! I will go back and "clean" things up a bit later... but I do like the contrast between the softness of Susie's face and the coarseness of her shirt. And as I am looking at it now... I think I need to take her shirt in a little. It is a bit blousie and I have a good feeling that she will not be happy. Susie is a professional rider and is definitely not fat. In my 25 years of doing portraits it is always a good idea to make everyone a little thinner... men too! And almost everyone requests it. And interestingly enough, its the thinnest people that usually request it up front! I have actually had people bring back portraits months after they had received them, to make them look thinner! One women actually lost weight a year after the portrait was completed and requested that I change the portrait to make her even thinner! Had the portrait shipped all the way from Puerto Rico just to have it changed. On pastels it really depends on the piece as to whether I can do it or not. In that case I could, and did. I did not charge her... I want people to be happy with their portraits. In the end, they are going to be living with them hopefully for the rest of their lives. I want them to be a remembrance of a wonderful time in their lives.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Susie, Uranda & Stella #3
pastel on pastelmat
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www,djfitzgerald.com
One of the things I am loving with this paper is the ability to make fine details. I am using pastel pencils more here while working on Susie's face... so much easier than having to keep pastel sticks sharp. And I have such a large collection of pencils that I really have not been able to use on the suede or velour... they just have more punch on this surface. This profile would have been so much more difficult on the velour/suede surface. And again I am using my kneadable eraser for blending... such a great little tool! Depending on how I use it it can either erase or blend. I have even used it to add color to a tight spot. It is also great for working the edges of color.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Susie, Uranda & Stella #2
pastel on pastelmat
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www,djfitzgerald.com
I am really enjoying this paper!!! The colors just seem more alive! Although I think I have over worked the upper left side of the back ground. I get some flaking when I work it. But when I shake the piece, nothing comes off! It is so very interesting... as I work the pastel the flakes that do come off stick to the open surface... very neat paper. I think I have found my surface! I just have to be careful not to overwork. But I have also found that I can literally brush off unwanted pastel. I am using a sponge covered blending tool and a kneadable eraser for blending. I love the kneadable eraser... I can form it into any shape I want for blending in tight areas. I am also experimenting with a little battery powered mechanical eraser. Kind of fun!! I can get some nice lines with it.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Susie, Uranda & Stella #1
pastel on pastelmat
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
This is a pastel progression on Clairefontaine pastelmat. A new surface for me. And I already made a big boo-boo! I had it dry mounted... which I do with almost all papers I work on... just makes them easier to work on and to ship. Plus, I would rather have the process done before I work on the piece rather than after. If the client's framer dry mounts the piece, it could smear... I don't want to have to go back and repair my work if at all possible. Anyway, I noticed a little change in the texture and the coloring of the paper when I was doing the drawing... so I did a little research and found that dry mounting is NOT recommended! I really don't know why they do not put some sort of notice with the paper when you buy it. Evidently the heat does something to the surface... well I decided to work on it anyway since I was well in to the piece by now. And I don't know how it should feel anyway! So far I am really liking the surface... the color seems more vibrant and it is taking a lot of pastels and pastel pencils that I have never been able to use on velour or suede. I figure it will only get better when I do it on the paper with out the dry mounting!
private collection
actual size 19"X26"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
This is a pastel progression on Clairefontaine pastelmat. A new surface for me. And I already made a big boo-boo! I had it dry mounted... which I do with almost all papers I work on... just makes them easier to work on and to ship. Plus, I would rather have the process done before I work on the piece rather than after. If the client's framer dry mounts the piece, it could smear... I don't want to have to go back and repair my work if at all possible. Anyway, I noticed a little change in the texture and the coloring of the paper when I was doing the drawing... so I did a little research and found that dry mounting is NOT recommended! I really don't know why they do not put some sort of notice with the paper when you buy it. Evidently the heat does something to the surface... well I decided to work on it anyway since I was well in to the piece by now. And I don't know how it should feel anyway! So far I am really liking the surface... the color seems more vibrant and it is taking a lot of pastels and pastel pencils that I have never been able to use on velour or suede. I figure it will only get better when I do it on the paper with out the dry mounting!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Danny & Ron's Rescue calendar cover
Danny & Ron's Rescue calendar cover
gouache on Ampersand watercolor panel
actual size 16"X22"
property of Danny and Ron's Rescue
Well it is that time of year again... time for the calendar cover! This is the third cover I have done for my good friends Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw. They have this amazing dog rescue operation.... because of them, 3372 dogs have found homes so far! They are 2 of my most favorite people in the world! And this is the least I can do for them! The calendar is coming out the first of November. If you would like to order one, go to their web site...
http://www.dannyandronsrescue.com
Even if you don't want a calendar, go and visit their site! Next year we are going to go back to my idea of having a different artist do a dog's portrait for each month... but we are going to start earlier in the year!!
This one was quite the challenge! We used this wagon that was on display at a horse show. It is a little bigger than I really wanted... I had envisioned a pony cart. By using this one, the painting got really big! I even made the wagon and the horses (which I had photographed years ago at a driving competition here in Ocala) a little smaller. Otherwise the whole painting would have been about the horses and wagon. I started it on a smaller board and quickly chucked it and ran to the nearest art store for a larger one! There was just no way that I would have been able to get details on Ron and Danny at that size. I could actually have played with this a while longer (as always!)... but we were already way past our deadline! NEXT YEAR... I will start earlier! Of course I say that every year! :)
gouache on Ampersand watercolor panel
actual size 16"X22"
property of Danny and Ron's Rescue
Well it is that time of year again... time for the calendar cover! This is the third cover I have done for my good friends Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw. They have this amazing dog rescue operation.... because of them, 3372 dogs have found homes so far! They are 2 of my most favorite people in the world! And this is the least I can do for them! The calendar is coming out the first of November. If you would like to order one, go to their web site...
http://www.dannyandronsrescue.com
Even if you don't want a calendar, go and visit their site! Next year we are going to go back to my idea of having a different artist do a dog's portrait for each month... but we are going to start earlier in the year!!
This one was quite the challenge! We used this wagon that was on display at a horse show. It is a little bigger than I really wanted... I had envisioned a pony cart. By using this one, the painting got really big! I even made the wagon and the horses (which I had photographed years ago at a driving competition here in Ocala) a little smaller. Otherwise the whole painting would have been about the horses and wagon. I started it on a smaller board and quickly chucked it and ran to the nearest art store for a larger one! There was just no way that I would have been able to get details on Ron and Danny at that size. I could actually have played with this a while longer (as always!)... but we were already way past our deadline! NEXT YEAR... I will start earlier! Of course I say that every year! :)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sienna
Oil on Ampersand artist panel
private collection
actual size 11"X14"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
This was a really fun piece and smaller than I usually do. I also have never painted on a panel. This one has a canvas texture to it. I really enjoyed the firm surface! It was nice to not bounce on the canvas when I push the paint around! I also used a retouch varnish while working on it.... I always spray with retouch varnish to protect the piece until the client has a permanent varnish applied (paint takes 6 months to cure before you should apply varnish). Some of the colors tend to dry and look totally different. Spraying the painting makes the paint look wet again. And I enjoyed working on the slick surface... I think I have to try a smooth panel for my next painting!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Aiken Steeplechase 2012 final!
oil on canvas
artist collection
actual size 24"X30"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
http://debifitzart.blogspot.com/
This is a better pic... I took it outdoors. The day was slightly overcast... so I did not have to deal with any glare on the paint. I also sprayed it with a re-touch varnish. The rule is not to varnish for at least 6 months. The retouch varnish will protect it until then and it also bring the paint up to all one gloss. I just love the way that looks... it almost looks like the paint is floating on the canvas... my favorite part!!! I spend a lot of time "nit picking" my paintings... this one is no exception! In fact it should be the text book!. So much going on! Not really much painting, but a lot of stepping back and looking, then going back and touching up this and that. I have also found taking photos very useful. When I put them on my desktop, I see things that I might have missed. Before the computer entered my life I would put the paintings on the mantel in the living room and live with them for a while. I don't really have the luxury of all the time for that these days! One of my first (and favorite!) professors in college once said that the judge of a good work of art is to be able to sit with it across from your favorite chair for a long period of time!
artist collection
actual size 24"X30"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
http://debifitzart.blogspot.com/
This is a better pic... I took it outdoors. The day was slightly overcast... so I did not have to deal with any glare on the paint. I also sprayed it with a re-touch varnish. The rule is not to varnish for at least 6 months. The retouch varnish will protect it until then and it also bring the paint up to all one gloss. I just love the way that looks... it almost looks like the paint is floating on the canvas... my favorite part!!! I spend a lot of time "nit picking" my paintings... this one is no exception! In fact it should be the text book!. So much going on! Not really much painting, but a lot of stepping back and looking, then going back and touching up this and that. I have also found taking photos very useful. When I put them on my desktop, I see things that I might have missed. Before the computer entered my life I would put the paintings on the mantel in the living room and live with them for a while. I don't really have the luxury of all the time for that these days! One of my first (and favorite!) professors in college once said that the judge of a good work of art is to be able to sit with it across from your favorite chair for a long period of time!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Aiken Steeplechase #10
oil on canvas
artist collection
actual size 24"X30"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
This is really a bad photo.... the light on the left is way too close and I have a glare. When I am doing these progressions I don't really take the time to get good photos. I shoot them right on the easel with the lights I work under... so the piece comes out a little on the yellow side. I will take it outside for the last photo.... it will be a little closer to the actual painting. At this point, I have been working on the jockeys. I will move on to the horses next, then the background again (those dogwoods!).... almost finished. I can "nit pick" these for ever.... you really will not be ale to see that much difference in the photos. So my next photo will be the final.
artist collection
actual size 24"X30"
http://www.djfitzgerald.com
This is really a bad photo.... the light on the left is way too close and I have a glare. When I am doing these progressions I don't really take the time to get good photos. I shoot them right on the easel with the lights I work under... so the piece comes out a little on the yellow side. I will take it outside for the last photo.... it will be a little closer to the actual painting. At this point, I have been working on the jockeys. I will move on to the horses next, then the background again (those dogwoods!).... almost finished. I can "nit pick" these for ever.... you really will not be ale to see that much difference in the photos. So my next photo will be the final.
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