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.

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.

6"x6" Oil on Panel Since I was in the citrus mood, I decided to paint orange slices on a plate. I just love this plate it came with a little cup, which is also square. I love the abstract element in this one. Plus the wonderful reflection in the shadow on the plate.