Grapes 11x14 oilI have been working feverishly..because the universe has decided to bless me with plenty of art activities to keep me busy! I am now doing three demos in the month of April...I have my show opening next month, on March 6 in Joplin and have another short term showing in Neosho., Mo. beginning March 30. I will try to keep posting but I am spending a lot of time at the easel and database and not so much at creative blogging so this will be the last lengthy blog for a while. Towards the end of the month I may be able to free up my time some.
Here is a little painting I did the other day...Jeff's Grape demo inspired me!!....which I will post at a later date. I have been doing some small work...they are fun and have a lot of instant gratification to them!
I will show how the still life is set up and the lighting that goes with it....also... if you have questions ...again feel free to ask!
Still Life Setup
I use a large cardboard box with the top, bottom and one side cut out then painted with black spray paint. It is on top of some more boxes to bring the setup to eye level. I add a cover to that box of cardboard also painted black if I need more shadow. I also use some black panels that measure 20x30 if I need a taller shadow box for a still life that has a more vertical composition. Max found them for me at Hobby Lobby (dear man...always thinking!!) They are taped together to form a large box with a top. If more shadow area is required than I move the top forward to hang over a bit more. Careful here or you can have a tumbling down mess! I had to have some help stacking everything. Please see warning above..lol!
My light is on a pole that I made a few years ago when I was teaching regular classes. It is a round base with a hole cut in it the same diameter as the pole and they just fit together. The pole is 6 foot. I use a clamp on light with 100 watt Reveal light bulb
and it is clamped to the very top and pointed down over the top of the setup. As you can see by the picture I have my easel to the side and paint site size most of the time. I have a table in front of the easel rather than to the side as it keeps me back from the canvas.Please note that with this setup the light shines on my setup, palette and canvas all at once. I paint with all the other lights off except that one. Everything is ready an then I start to setup the actual objects. I have some garlic that I have started to paint and took the time to arrange them in a pleasing pattern of shapes and light and dark design that is suitable to my eye.
I also have a small wooden box which the garlic is in because I like the reflected light and the color of the wood. Some of my old students may remember this box as h
aving little stilllife's on it and having to do three in a day!
So there you have it!! I hope this will be of help to some.
I am also very happy to report that I have lost 10 lbs. as of this morning!! Yeah, me!!
Back to the easel,
Theresa
36 comments:
Grapes looks wonderful! I am marveling at your studio looking very moved in - you get settled fast! And it does look like you've been very busy already good for you and your 10lbs off!
The grapes are beautiful! Love your set up Theresa, thanks for sharing...now I have ideas which terrifies my dear husband :)
Theresa, I love the translucency of your grapes. They look luscious. Congratulations on being in such demand. Enjoy! Holly
Theresa, Such beautiful, yummy grapes! Grapes are not my favorite thing to paint...but yours look magnificent. Great set up, too! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for the pictures of your box. I'm going to make one. Your paintings are beautiful.
Gorgeous grape still life, Theresa! I love the light on them and through them - wonderful.
I nearly forgot to mention - thank you for sharing how you set up your still life space!
as one of those students who participated in that backbreaking, totally incomprehensible, impossible theme torturing us with 3 still lifes a day...all I can say is THANKS! A great exercise in loosening up. And I sold one of mine!
First, love the paintings.
Second, love the box setup. I have been trying to come up with something like that for a while. I would be perfect for the still life work I do.
Hope you see imitation as flattery, Theresa
WOW, you are brave! I would see the grapes and probably run away babbling something about wine...
These turned out beautifully! You got the glow and also that dull purple grape-film that they get sometimes. And the white cloth well, I love bold brushwork and thick paint. Great job!
And thank you for answering all of my questions about the Legg demo. I felt like I had a mini-workshop.
Wonderful grapes - pleasure to view! Great to see how you set up too, thanks for that, I must make myself a shadow box.
Your artwork is an inspiration.
Congrats on losing the pounds and good luck with the shows!
Wow... the grapes are gorgeous. I believe you even though you were joking about "don't try this at home". I think I would need to hire a crew to replicate a wonderful set-up like yours. Break a leg at the show!
Your painting is a fascinating Theresa, I am happy that I entered in your blog.
Ciao!!!
Hello Fair Artist who paints beautiful red grapes and shows her studio,
We have been watching you. We are artist also. At least that's what they call us. You may even know us. We'd like to invite you to a member of our very Private Club. We're very selective and only an elite few are welcome on our hallowed grounds. We pick you.
We even have a little 'chit chat' room just for the likes of you. It's rightfully called Dante's Pub. But when your enter BEWARE! You are entering the abyss of the artist mind! You may not find your way out.
You're welcome to watch from afar while drinking your brew or pull up a chair and join us for a little chat. Be sure and register and then log in. After all, this is a very private club. We don't allow just any wanderer in our midst.
Don't dilly dally now! It wont cost you a pence. Check out The Artist Challenge and Dante's Pub- that is if your daring and think yourself worthy to be amongst the souls we've claimed?
Farewell...until we hear from you,
Master Mike and the Pub Wench
Artist Challenge- http://www.theartistchallenge.com/
Dante‘s Pub - http://www.theartistchallenge.com/art-forum/
Hi Theresa,
I thought I left a comment, but it probably didn't register. This happens sometimes. I love your grapes and the garlic in process, and I'm impressed by your set up. Congratulations on your shows, and I hope you do very well.
xoxoxoxBarbara
Love the grapes! They look like you could just pick them right off of the canvas.
Wow, the shadowbox setup is amazing! I've got a "natural shadowbox" in my studio and didn't even realize it. You make me appreciate what I have, and also what I don't have. What I don't have is the ability to paint like other artists I admire, but that's wonderful in itself because we all paint like ourselves.
So your beautiful work is greatly appreciated here.
Hi Erika! Yes I get settled fast I like living life so I have learned to streamline the moving thing...interestingly enough ..you are not the first person who has seen or mentioned this! I am happy you like the grapes...they were a mystery to me for a while...now a little more practice and I will have them just right! I am down 14 pounds as of yesterday...I almost can't believe it!
Hi Teresa...the last thing I want to do is scare any family members...teehee! i am glad you found some worth in this post and that it will help you in the future..I would love to see what you come up with using this setup!
Thank you so much Holly, I am glad to hear from you!! For some reason I have noticed that the Spring is when every art show or club has an event going on! I am enjoying all of it but I will have to take a wee vacation after it is all send and done! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment..:)
Hi Michelle...I was forever ending up with cherries instead of grapes. I watch closing during Jeff's demo and realized what I was doing wrong! I will transfer this info at a future date...I am very busy right now preparing for several events! Thank you so much for your comment and I am happy there is some useful info here for you to use!
Thank you so much Carole for your appreciation of my work! I am honored. I would love to see what you do with the box!
Edward, if you can see the light on them and though them...than I have succeeded...that is exactly what I had to understand and then translate with paint in order to make them believable...! I hope you have some fun with the "Big Box Theory"!!
Hey Vicki...we had some fun,eh? Not many people know my mean side with my students...making them paint one painting after another, learn to make quick decisions, more paint, think about paint application, color, composition, freshness, more paint, copying the masters, more paint and on and on.....LOL! I am glad you were a part of it and had some success because of it!! Last year at JBU when I got best of show and three of the students received awards...it made me cry..I figured I was doing something right and of course I had some very talented students!
Hello Michael!!!! Who wouldn't see imitation as flattery form someone like you!! I love your work!! I am very honored that you like the painting and have found some information here you can use. This is perhaps the best setup I have seen in all the years..(woohoo a big seven! Not very long really) I have been using them. It has always been pretty close to this but I have modified it some over the years. I recently saw a set up of Quang Ho's that I really like and may try that also. I also adore his work!
Funny you mention something about running away babbling about wine...that is exactly how they used to affect me...better to join them (drink wine)..rather then beat them (paint them)!!! I am very happy with cloth especially as I like loose brushwork that is believable and not just messy...I am really happy that you like the piece and found some info to help!
Shari...wonderful to have you on board!! I am very appreciative of all your wonderful comments...artist to artist comments are very inspiring and keep us going! I would love to see what you come up with through the use of the shadow box! Good luck and thank you...I am down 14 pounds now..yeah!!
Thank you Sheila!! It really isn't that hard to set up...I just like to joke around...Glad you like the grapes and hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Grazi, Gianlucio! I am very happy and honored that you like it! I am glad you are reading my blog also...I find your work very interesting also!
Hello Master Mike and Pub Wench! What an interesting adventure!! I entered the abyss of the artist's mind long ago and only rarely surface to pay bills or some other obnoxious duty that life and living require! I am really honored that you have chosen me...I may take some time to respond as I am very busy at the moment putting together several art events. So hold me a spot! I have already checked out both of your sites...well done!!
Thank you Barbara!! Your little pep talk really inspired me and something you said clicked in my head! I want to thank you for that. You are the best! I am keeping busy but will update soon...albeit briefly! Thank you!!!Hope you and hubby have a wonderful weekend and Valentines Day!!
xoxo
Theresa
Thank you so much Theresa! I love what I do (painting)...and really try to impart some relevant info when I can...nothing beats just plain practice. A natural shadow box? Wonderful!! Make use of it I would love to see what you produce from it. Thank you again for stopping by and all your wonderful comments!
What a wonderfully instructive post!! Those grapes are great! I've got to go down and read about Jeff's demo next.
Congrats on the weight loss... I find it impossible... Perhaps because you've been working so hard.... Couldn't possibly have been because you're actually eating less...... (darn I hate that...) ;o>
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us, we can learn a lot vicariously and I am certainly appreciative... Congratulations on the weight loss thingy, I know it's hard, but it's worth it - we can't paint if we are not healthy and take care care of ourselves! I am also on a weight loss journey myself and have lost 28 pounds since May, last year... Yayy!
On the art blog front, I've been painting but not posting for a while - I've had a technology meldown in my household - computer doesn't start and camera also went kaput. Hubby's laptop is great but not what I'm used to... oh well... Have a great day!
Hi Marian...Thank you, I really appreciate the support. I have always had to watch my weight and I do like to eat good food...until I found this HCG! I have only been at it since Feb. 2!! I am glad you found some things to use from the post.
Theresa, thank you!! You are always so supportive! Congratulations to your skinny self...that is quite an accomplishment!! Sorry to hear about your technology issues....gosh, I hate that when it happens! Thank goodness you are still painting...:)
Hello Cathy Ann! And welcome! I have been away for a while but am coming back soon! Too many shows in the Spring!
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