My Placement Process by Pamela Blaies

Bronte in a Purple Bow

9" x 12"

oil on linen

I only am able to talk my girls into sitting for me on rare occasions, so when my cousin, Bronte, came to visit and was willing, I was ecstatic. My plan was to take photographs throughout my progress on the painting to show my process, but I got carried away and forgot after just one photo. Anyway, I decided I could still share a little about my beginning process. Here, I toned the canvas with raw umber, then I blocked in the major shapes with raw umber as well. The photo below was taken before I had completed the early block in phase. At this point, I'm only concerned with general placement and not so much with value or drawing. I enjoy this placement method because it feels much freer to me than drawing with lines, it also gives me a more clear idea of what is working and it's much more fun! As I put in the masses, I don't fret about what the shapes look like, I just want to see how they are going to relate in an abstract way on the canvas. I can make big, expressive strokes and because I use one neutral color, there is no problem with things getting muddy if I have to keep wiping it off over and over until I get the proper placement.

Bronte Block In

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Process in Reverse by Pamela Blaies

In Season

12" x 16"

oil on linen

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I usually do small studies before painting a larger piece, but this time my process got all turned around. As I set out my composition, intending to focus only on a couple of pieces of fruit, the still life just seemed to put itself together inviting me to create the larger painting, In Season. I liked the colors and light so much, I left the composition right were it was overnight and painted two Petites (6" x 6") the next day. Fun!

              

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God Bless America! by Pamela Blaies

Blushing Basketful

6" x 6"

oil on linen

I hope you enjoyed Memorial Day weekend. It seems inadequate to say "Thank You," but how thankful I am to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. God Bless America!

My Petite Painting Project - 100 paintings in 100 days is coming right along. I think I am getting close to painting #60! These roses didn't last very long and I had too many commitments, so I wasn't able to paint them enough. I think I will go to the market today and get some more!

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Rose Care Tip by Pamela Blaies

Heirloom Pinks

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

Love these Heirloom garden roses I found at the market! The way the petals curl inward toward the center is so charming. I put them in this footed glass bowl which perfectly shows them off. I am keeping ice cubes in their water, so they won't open up too fast (warm water makes them open up sooner) and hopefully I will be able paint them for several more days.

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Yesterday's Rose by Pamela Blaies

Yesterday's Rose

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

I cut this rose to paint a little while ago, but didn't get to it that day. Today, I decided I wanted to put it in my composition. Alas, it was to pooped to party and began dropping petals left and right. I still loved its graceful shape and decided the fading beauty was the heart of this little piece.

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You Have to Know These Things When You're a King by Pamela Blaies

Farm Fresh

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

Why are some eggs brown and some are white? Apparently, it's all about the chicken. Hens with white feathers and earlobes produce white eggs and those with red feathers and red earlobes produce brown shelled eggs. I didn't even know chickens had earlobes! My husband often uses this appropriate Monty Python quote, "You have to know theses things when you are a king."

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Square Peg Fits by Pamela Blaies

Copper Teapot

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

I love this little copper teapot. I like that it is round and perfectly polished to reflect all the color and light around it. Putting it into a square composition was the perfect fit!

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