Mary B Spires Watercolor & Art Stuff

8" x 10" Oil on Board This painting proves you need to paint from life! I sat this still life up in the Pumfrey's afternoon class....I love all the reflections in  the silver bowl.....I've been studying a DVD by Patricia Moran. She doesn't draw the subject on the surface, she blocks in masses of color......as soft as you can for as long as you can. I've learned sooooo much, about getting a good start that will create a great finish.......the ampersand gessoed board that I have been using makes the brush strokes show without using a great amount of paint.

10" x 8 " oil on Board I put this up in the studio just because I didn't like something about it....it didn't feel right!  Guess What! The sides were off, so in class Wednesday afternoon I corrected the pitcher and now I know it's finished!

8" x 10" Oil on Panel I set this still life up in the Pumfrey's oil class at the Beach Art Center.  The past couple of weeks I have been painting on canvas, but the texture of the canvas make the brush drag and I don't get those loose impressionist strokes.  The gesso panels are wonderful, they let you lay down one stroke and the brush hairs show.  I use a soft synthetic flat brush.  The small detail is done with a small round synthetic brush.

12" x 12" Oil on Canvas This was a challenge to get the whites without being chalky.....I need to let it rest for a few days .....I have been using Jerry's painting book to study his palette, plus his value range using the high key side of the value scale.

12" x 12" Oil on Canvas Painting in the impressionist style is soooooooo much FUN!  I've been studying William Schultz, Brackman, Frederick Carl Frieseke and my all time favorite  Frank W. Benson all American impressionist.  I have discovered that they all talk about " The Mechanics of Painting"  the 5 Steps that Jerry Fresia uses.  Each having a different twist.

11" x 14" Transparent Watercolor Beach Buddy My little beach buddy will be taught at the Beach Art Center on March 15th, Thursday morning Make it Take It class This little guy was my first one of many kids on the beach.  What fun!  He could be anyone's grandson!  Hope to see you in class......