Behind the Scenes

As I was removing duplicate image files from my backup hard drive, I came across a couple of photos of "works in progress" Here are three paintings in various stages. Unfortunately, it seems that after I take a photo and start painting again, I get caught up in the process. The next thing you know, I have finished the painting with no photos of intermediate steps.

These three paintings show different stages in the creation of a painting.

Layout of the subject

Above and below show two different approaches to a painting. In the painting of the three corgis, I have gone directly to the subjects, while in the painting of the two jack russells, I worked on the background along with the subjects. The first method stems from my watercolor portraits. With watercolor it can be very difficult make corrections, so when working on a portrait it is important to get the likeness of the subject down before spending time on the background, clothing etc. Oil gives a bit more leeway since wiping off and repainting passages are much easier.

Here are the finished paintings.

Yogi at Blowing Rock, 9 x 12 oil

Three Corgis, 12 x 16 oil

Two Jacks, 8 x 10 oil

Painting a Series, Developing

Here are two recent paintings I based on smaller 4 x 6 "thumbnail" paintings. Both of the smaller paintings are part of my One Hundred Paintings Blog

Farm near Unionville

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

This is the "thumbnail painting"

Farm near Unionville, PA. I came across this farm driving around Unionville and Doe Run PA near Kennetsquare and Chadds Ford. I had left the Devon Horse Show one afternoon to paint and take photos. I had been painting down the road (still am not happy with that painting, but I may make another stab at it)and was back driving when I saw this barn in my rearview mirror. Quick U-turn (the Honda Fit has its advantages over the Ford E-350 SuperDuty Van!) and some photos.

Jack on Plaid

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

The "thumbnail" for Jack on Plaid

Speaking of the One Hundred Paintings Project, I have now started Phase Two, Second Hundred Paintings. The blog will still be the same, http://www.1hundredpaintings.blogspot.com but I will allow myself to paint different sizes, both larger and smaller.

You can sign up for Email notices about new blog posts at the blog

Off to College

One thing we notice painting portraits - Time keeps moving. This painting is of a girl leading her horse to the barn before heading off to college.

This 9 x 12 oil painting is a commission. In the photographs I worked from she was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Unfortunately, the colors get lost between painting, digital camera and computer monitor.

Back to Blowing Rock - Josie

No, it's not a bear. It's Josie. Josie is a dog, a Newfoundland. A big shaggy Newfoundland who has become a feature of the Blowing Rock Horse Show. Her owner is Doug Beach, horse show board member and owner of Twigs Restaurant in Blowing Rock. We took Josie to the top of "the Hill" to include the pine trees and view of the showgrounds. I worked from a number of photographs, some in sepia tone, some black and white and some in color.

Josie

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Pig Paintings

Two of the paintings from my One Hundred Paintings/One Hundred Days Project provided the inspiration for larger works. The Sampson County Arts Council is holding a art show entitled "Show Your Swine." I expanded on two of the 4 x 6 paintings to create a couple of 8 x 10's. I know it doesn't sound like it's any bigger but they are over three times the size.

These two are hanging at the show. A note about Sampson County and pigs. The Arts Council 2010 calendar will be exclusively filled with images from this show. They like pigs in Sampson County. A wonderful reception this evening with with a piano player, wine, pigs in a blanket, pork tenderloin and barbeque and a rather large turnout.

Back to the Beach ( Haven )

I was up in New Jersey, visiting at the shore, when I ran across this painting in one of my collectors homes. I realized that it had gotten away without being photographed.

The painting, which is 9 x 12 oil on canvas, was painted in Beach Haven NJ. from a park which is a block off the ocean. What's so special about a water tower? If you look around you probably notice that water towers all seem to be a light blue, green pale sort of color. When the time came for this tower to be painted, those were the plans for it. But a hue and cry was raised. It seems that the orange tower has been used for years as an aid to navigation by boatmen and mariners. The orange color stands out against the blue sky and its uniqueness lets navigators know that they are off of Beach Haven.

You can see more seascapes at my website

http://www.sfilarsky.com/Landscapes-and-Seascapes.html

And a number of paintings for sale at my ebay store

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/sfilarsky-paintings

Come to think about it, one of my first, "take the easel and oil paints outside" plein air paintings was done a couple of block from here when I was still in high school.

Saratoga Paintings

Here are some paintings of the Saratoga Race Track. These paintings are currently being exhibited (and joffered for sale) at the Beresford Gallery on Union St. in Saratoga Springs, NY.

I am not a morning person, but getting up a dawn to head over to the race track and watch whats going on is worth it.

8 x 10 Oil on canvas

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

You can also find some small paintings at my One Hundred Paintings Project blog:

www.1hundredpaintings.blogspot.com