More WIP

I gesso'ed over an old acrylic experimental composition and played with some oil colors to make something abstract in a diagonal composition form. It was fun playing, but I didn't really like the way this came out. I feel it needed more contrast in values. I may go back to it at some time and attempt to improve it.

I found a video online which was a copy of a copy so this is not an original image. I enjoyed using the different techniques with the oil pigments. The original was a Winslow Homer watercolor and David Dunlop showed how to paint it in oils. Of course, I don't have that level of painting expertise, but I enjoyed following along with the video.  I might use his techniques another time on one of my own images.  This was Prout's Neck in Maine. I have never been there although I have spent lots of time in Maine when I lived in New England.  It was a quick image to play with and I enjoyed painting it.

Works in Progress

I tried painting a sunset from a friend's photo (with permission). I was not happy with it, but added one of the morning blessings in Hebrew. I had to abbreviate it a little to fit it in the space. I am not used to doing Hebrew letters with a brush, I used to do calligraphy with a dip pen. That works better on the letters. The blessing thanks God for giving us the wisdom to distinguish between day and night.  It is acrylic paint on 18" X 24" canvas.

On a foggy, rainy winter day I decided to paint a little bit of spring. This is a crabapple tree in bloom at Dorrs Pond in Manchester, NH, one of my favorite places to walk when I lived in NH. The walk from my house to the pond and around it was about 45 minutes. It was a walk I enjoyed in all seasons. I'm not sure if I'll continue working on it. It is just a nice memory for me. Oil paint on canvas, 11" X 14".

Aurora. 8" X 10" oil paint on canvas board.  I don't really like painting from other people's photos, but this was a beautiful one in a desk calendar of Alaska photos that I bought in Skagway on our Alaska trip.

These are practice paintings for me and are not for sale, but I enjoy challenging myself to try different techniques and landscapes.