IN BALANCE

oil on wood 8"x10"

This painting was done for Rookie Painter challenge on a wood panel;there was something else before, which didn't deserve to stay...and explains the irregularities of the surface.
I wont't paint for a moment, because  tomorrow I am going to fly to Barcelona, Spain (only one hour flight from Bordeaux).I 'll be happy to spend Christmas  and stay one week with my daughter, who has been living there for more than 2 years now.It's the first time we'll visit Barcelona, and we are very eager.
So, have a Merry Christmas!

Flowers and wine,for an engagement.



oil on paper, 8"x10"

I was largely inspired by Fantin-latour and his flowers in his still life, called " Engagement " while leaving aside a cup of fruits for which I missed affinities, or rather skill..He was used to keep a neutral backgound.; for my part I  mixed red, blue and white colors  over a black underpainting.



oil on board 7,5"x9,5"

I painted this for DPW this week, where it was asked to paint in the style of a painter we liked.I chose René Magritte, a Belgian surrealist painter.Magritte's work frequently displays a collection of ordinary objects in an unusual context, giving new meanings to familiar things.

Omphalotus olearius

OIL ON BOARD 7,5"x5"

Don't touch!Those jack-o-lanterns, growing from the dead roots of oak trees, are commonly mistaken for the prized chanterelles, and is therefore a common cause of mushroom poisoning.I found them very attractive, but only in picture! And for once, I painted only for my pleasure, not for a challenge.

Peony, or Pierre de Ronsard?

oil on board 5"x7"

It has been several days since I painted this for Rookiepainter challenge.In spite of several efforts, I had never managed to obtain a suitable picture, this being apparently due to the dark painting, which remained greyish and dull;it took time to dry (a lot of medium?).Is it the fault of the painting, or the misuse of the camera, of which I am not sure to understand all the subtleties? But it's so hard to learn!
Pierre de Ronsard is a lovely double rose with delicate colors, it is why I didn't know it was either this rose, or a peony on the picture.

And, before November ends, I wanted to show you our production of avocados in our garden. The former occupant had planted a stone 15, 20 years ago? Last year, we had only one, we didn't even deigned to pick it, but this year, around 30 fruits!
It's necessary to say that is a rarity in our region...
The small yellow fruits are physalises, or Cape Gooseberries,an only plant produced a lot of fruits.

Le pont de Langlois

oil on board 7"x5"

I painted this one for the Virtualpaintout.I rarely follow this challenge, because the difficulties I have to find and keep a subject on Goggle map, where I spend too much time. This month was  Arles, in S.O. of France.This place was made famous by Van Gogh, who painted the bridge. On my painting,the specific mecanism is not very visible, I didn't find the right angle to see it properly, and I wanted to have the water and the houses on my view...

I painted this one for DPW challenge.

I wore those shoes during my years in Paris, to go to work, maybe 10 years ago.I lost the habit to use this kind of shoes, as I've been living in the country, now., and my style of life have changed!

Le vase et le melon



oil on board 8"x10"



At the beginning, I didn't want to do it, after a picture of PADT, I thought the vase was too tricky to paint.After watching some of the other painters, I gave a try and went on...and enjoyed it.

My cantaloupe's colour is more vivid on my painting, but I was unable to get a better picture, in fact it's not yet dry! 

Are they edible?



oil on board 5"x7"

"The gendarmes of Die (Drôme) intercepted around thirty persons yesterday evening, suspected of participating in a traffic of mushrooms towards Spain; more than 600 kg illegally picked were seized: indeed,  the authorized picking must not exceed 5kg a day per person and for personal  consumption only".
Obviously sarcastic comments burst out, arguing that the gendarmes would be better to chase after  hallucinogenic mushroom criminals..
Not having a great knowledge of  mushrooms, I prefer  buying  them at the market, it is safer!

Bananas



OIL on canvas paper 9,5"x7,5"

It is my rendition for Rookie Painter challenge.It was the first  time I painted bananas, I didn't know it was so hard to find the right colour (at least for me!):I used naples yellow,yellow pale, ocher, burnt sienna, sepia.This last one was recommended to me  by Sabine,  our teacher at our workshop in Bordeaux.She restores the old paintings and likes it for several purposes:greys, in place of darks...I noticed there was a touch of green in it .

So, it was a good practice.

EN ROUTE TO THE MARKET

oil on linen paper 9,5" x 7,5"

I loved this innocent little girl, with her big pink bag;I painted it for DPW challenge.Carol Marine proposed this picture, telling us we had to choose any background we wanted to painted, hers was quite cluttery.For the moment I have not any idea, but I have to think about it, and hope to add one;
for the moment, I prefered anyway to post my painting, even imperfect!

Les bonbons



oil on canvas paper 9,5" x 7,5"

I painted this one for Rookie Painter with oil painting miscible with water.Although they are pleasant to use, I am going to to give up them at the moment; since the beginning of the month I participate each Tuesday in a workshop where we  learn the techniques of the old  masters, and we thus use traditional paintings.I hope it will be profitable!

By the window

I painted this one for Idrawandpaint of September;I am not used to paint horses, in fact this is  the first one.

Baby girl

pencil on strong bristol 6"x10"

It's my first art work since our return from our trip to the Canadian Rockies, 3 days ago.This time the jetlag was strong, after 3 weeks changing every or 2 days  from place to place, from Calgary to Vancouver and return, ending by a flight Calgary/Ottawa , staying 3 days there, before coming back to France.
I want to sleep!
Our journey was wonderful, everything turned very well, but I am glad to find our home and our old routine!
As I did not paint for a long time, I prefered begin by a drawing, to take my brushes scared me!
It was an exercise for Idrawandpaint, and, even my baby looks like rather a boy, I am quite glad with the result.

Through Canada landscapes

It was on September 3rd, from Calgary to Banff, the first step on our West Canada trip.We admired a lot of mountains, rocks, falls, lakes, everything is so beautiful!.Of course, We travel every day, so my painting supllies are in my suitcase.

Moraine Lake

Patricia  lake

Mount Robson

Harrison Hot Spring

No coffee any more

oil on paper 7"x5"

I have been suppressing coffee for quite one month now, even if I was not a fervent of tea.I think it’s better for health.
So I painted this one for DPW challenge;the subject ? paint your favorite mug.It’s not my favorite, but one of those I have here at the Lake.It was not a small thing to do this work!We were said to go to learn how to paint an ellipse.

I followed the consigns, ok for the rectangle, the dots, etc., but after?how to adapt this ellipse to the rest of the body, and what does determine the size of the ellipse, why does my cup look bended?
I did it in several sequences, and the last time, I forgot to notice I’ve changed of table, and this one was lower, that is not the same thing for an ellipse..
I guess I have to work again on the ellipses, but not this one, it’s enough!

The window sill



oil on paper 7"x9"

 I painted this for DPW this week.We were given this picture in black and white, and we had to paint the scene in color, respecting the values.
My pot is too big,maybe the colors are  somber, but I enjoyed doing this exercise.
I have been arrived at the Lake of the Woods, Ontario, for one week now.We have a nice weather, although unpredictable, for example this morning at 11.00 am: suddenly a thunder storm  burst, with a black sky .We were obliged to tidy up everything on the porch, fold the parasol, shut the windows..
It lasted about 30mn, and everything is ok now, the sun shines, sunglasses and parasol are compulsory.Maybe you know this kind of weather, but at home, in France, it’s not usual.
Here are some pictures taken yesterday from our terrace, at the twilight.”
I
We have a lovely landscape ‘, I don’t know why I’ve  never painted it…

The first one



oil on board 6"x6"



This one is the first nasturtium in my garden, this year;at the beginning  of sowing the ground was too dry, then,it was too wet (it has been raining for 1 month, now), and here it is.I've sown a lot, and, of course, I'll be unable to watch them, since I am leaving in 2 days.

I painted that after a idea of James Coulter, for this weekly DPW challenge .The orders were to use only:  blue, cad.med. yellow, cad red light + white,  3 brushes, large, medium and small, and paint a flower of our garden in an hour.This last one was, for me, the hardest thing about this challenge, and I am proud to say I succeeded!What usually I do in five-ish hours was done in one, and not worse than my other ones!I hope I'll be able to do it again.

Ne me quitte pas

pencil on strong bristol 9"x12"

It is finished now, and done for this week DPW challenge, we had to illustrate a song.

Do you know Jacques Brel, and his song "Ne me quitte pas"? Nina Simone sang it in French too, Frank Sinatra and a lot of others (If you go away).

Here is a link to listen to the song, by Jacques Brel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2wmKcBm4Ik

PIQUE-NIQUE (picnic)



black pencil on strong bristol, 9"x12"



Every year,in August, we are lucky to share a picnic, with twenty-ish islanders of the Lake of the Woods, invited by Jan & Dave.

Dave cooks on the huge outdoor stone oven he built by himself, 2 years ago, Jan takes the head of the operations.Everyone brings something for the meal, and we are sure to spend a enjoyable afternoon;49% Canadians,50% Americans, 1 French, who, after a while, feels her mind confused in the middle of the whole conversations!.

For the moment I am still at home, in France, and I'll join my husband in the middle of next week.

So, I drew after a picture of Dave cooking last year.

Homeless(wip)

pencil on strong bristol 9"x12"

This drawing is not finished, I have to work on the young girl.The subject was proposed by Idrawandpaint .
Those days, I don't paint a lot, I were busy with the selling of my flat near Paris, at least!The final signature is next week, and just after I'll join my husband in Winnipeg, for the remaining summer.

N°5, 150ml

oil on board 5"x7"

I suppose there will be enough until next Christmas...

What a mess!



oil 5"x7"

There are some of my painting supplies, here.

For painting

OIL 5"x7"

It was painted for PADT challenge.

TWILIGHT

oil on oil paper 5"x7"

This was done for DPW challenge this week, after a picture given by Jean Nelson, who painted a lovely one.
After an underpainting in Alizarin, I used mainly one flat brush, and ended with a knife.

Watermelon and bowl

oil on canvas paper 5"x7"

It was  required, in the DPW challenge of this week, to paint after a picture, upside down.In fact, most of the time, I used to do that;I learned this technique, a long time ago, in Betty Edwards's books, and I like it.When I am not sure about my drawing, I turn my painting for checking it, and  go on for a while, upside down, I find it funny.

Burnt Sienna

At the beginning, I intended , as a title, to put the first name of this man with an initial, in case someone could recognize him;he is a man I like to listen quite everyday, on Radio Classique .But now, watching his face, I think he does not look like him..Anyway, among people listening  to him, a lot don't know his face;and a lot don't know my blog..
I painted this burnt sienna portrait for DPW challenge, which run a few weeks ago, of course I am greatly late.I am just aware, reading again Carol Marine's instructions,(I like her instructions) she asked for burnt umber, but I never had this one.So, as usual, I overworked this portrait;if it was acceptable after one hour, maybe after 4 or more, the dark values are too dark;well, it's done, and I like the feeling, when I am  slowly drawing or painting a portrait, to gradually learn about the model , understand his character.
Voilà! 

The same cups

The same cups, after a few hours extra work.I was not satisfied yesterday, and wanted to go on.It's better, now.

3 CUPS

oil on paper 5"x7"

I  painted those 3 cups for DPW challenge this week, it was asked to create a stack of something that is balanced, in many ways.Even this subject, the cups, was not very original, I enjoyed to paint it. 

Happiness



pencil on strong bristol 6"x9"

 For once, I decided to follow a drawing challenge and give it a try.Maybe I didn't draw for years, and I am quite glad with the result.The picture was given by idrawandpaint, but apparently, they don't want any link to their site on the blogs.
So, it was drawn with a 2B pencil;I didn't remember how long I took for this kind of work,before, about 4h, I suppose, but I am now aware of the difference of mood I am with it.I am more concentrated, and I am "in"the character, I never have this feeling with painting;  well, now I notice a few improvements I should do, of course!  

FLEURS DE POMMIER

oil on canvas paper 7"x 9"

It was painted for ARTISTICS SENTIMENTS challenge, and I enjoyed the subject, with thoses subtle colors.

From my window

oil on board 5"x7"

This week, the DPW challenge subject was to paint what we see from our place, so it was an opportunity to paint a small view of our garden.
We have been living here for 3 years and half, now, and it’s such a pleasure;it’s a small village, just in border  of a big river, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, at 30mn drive. We cross the fingers not to be  flooded!Last year, during the storm  Xynthia, we were fortunately spared.I like to hear the waves, in the night, with the open window, it's soothing.

This  week, and propably the next whole week I won't participate to any challenge, nor paint.We have been in Sevilla, Spain,  since  last Tuesday.It's a wonderful city, ant there is so much to do!

There are more articles and pictures HERE , if you are interested.

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When I tell you...

5"x7"  Oil on board

Yes, we are twins!
I was painted with "normal" oils.Apparently, there is no difference at the final stage. 

I am not alone…

oil on board 7"x5"

Those last days werent very productive..In fact, April was a gardening month, and May so hot!The temperature is very high here for the season (30° today), everything is very dry, I start to feel guilty when I have to water my flowers, luckily we own a well.
So, a lot of bad excuses for no blogging!
I painted this cat twice for DPW, when I compare with the other paintings, I am not satisfied, they are so nice! 
This one was painted with Artisan oils miscible with water.

Were you a guest?

oil on canvas 4"x4"

It was painted for DPW challenge.Although it was not the first time I did a self portrait, it was a struggle , because  I was obliged to paint with a mirror , having no recent picture . So, I chose to wear a hat I never had!I was inspired by the princely wedding I watched last week, with those  crazy hats,since I was among the third of the planet who watched the princely wedding last week...

Greenery

This week, the DPW  challenge proposed a choice of 3 color schemes: complementary, split-complementary or triadic

oil on canvas 10"x12"

. Ok, I can understand, for the complementary, but split-complementary, triadic?No.
After several researches, several readings, I chose one,so,  I painted, and once it was done, I realised  that I'd chosen another one, which was not requested, the analogous scheme- colors following on the wheel-in my case, green, green-yellow and yellow.
And here is the result.

Cross swords

oil on canvas 6"x6"

 This painting was done for PADT  challenge.
For once, I gave a new try to my Artisan  water mixable oils.
When I begun  painting with oil (late 2009), I used them, but was not satisfied, and bought "normal" oil painting.
This time, I was quite glad with Artisan, but I have not a very large amount of colors, so it's restricting, but it was ok for the cherries!

Road trip



oil on canvas paper 6"x8"

 This was the second landscape  proposed by Carol Marine for her  previous DPW challenge.It was another study about the greens, mainly with phtalo green (I have a huge tube), light yellow, indigo.I painted it with brushes first, then with a knife. The moment I took the picture, the left side on the bottom was not quite dry, due to the thickness of the paint…

Where are the girls?



OIL ON CANVAS 8"x10"

This was painted for the weekly  DPW challenge.I used my own picture of a rooster in my neighbourhood I took the other day.Michèle & Hervé bought it recently, because they lost 1 of their  4 hens ,which was run over by a car when it crossed without care, the little road , where they live.Arsène, the rooster, is now there present to keep them from their frivolity, and it works!  It's a Sussex type.

After having plodded along for ages…

oil on board 8"x10"

 It was painted for DPW challenge of this week.I wanted to do a quick painting, and, as often, I reworked, and reworked..
As I wanted to use several purples ( I am usually inclined to give this color to  my roads ) , I did a golden acrylic under painting.I changed a lot of times the trees in the background: at the beginning they were too strong, then too pale…I wanted to use a recipe with French ultramarine, violet, viridian, white, before noticing at the end that my green was not a viridian(which is an equal combination of blue and green), so the result was not what I expected.
My(other) bête noire was the tree in the foreground, I have to learn about those trees!
In  any case, I had fun to paint that.