House

House, 5x7, watercolor on paper, Patricia Bennett

May30

May 30, 10x13, gouache on paper, Patricia Bennett

The view outside of the coffee shop.  I played around with symmetry and color.

The goal was to capture the energy of the area: people moving around, eating, talking on their cell phones.

No one was still, so these are fleeting glimpses at several moments in time.

First I used pencil and made a composition that I liked.  Then I added color.  I started color with the closest thing: the brick.  Next, the person in the blue, and so on.

Mask

Mask, 24x24, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett

This is a mask from Florence.

Cindy

Cindy, 14x18, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

 Cindy sat for me for three hours today.  She sat still, which was very helpful.

I began by doing a preliminary sketch on a small piece of paper to capture some gesture.  Then, I did a careful drawing (below).  On top of the drawing, I did a wash, then added color.  I made the colors almost monotone.

Cindy Drawing, 14x18, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

Thank you Cindy!

Collectors

Collectors, 16x22, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett

The apples are collectors.

Bufflehead and Call

Bufflehead and Call, oil on panel, 18x24, Patricia Bennett

My friend's husband shot this duck and stored it in their freezer.  It was beautiful to paint.  Her dog, Spike, was very interested in the entire process.

Baltimore Luv Lemons

Baltimore Luv Lemons, 12x16, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett

I think that this painting is self-explanatory.

Chadd's Ford

Chadd's Ford, 8x10, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett

Painted a few years ago near Andrew Wyeth's studio.  The building is several hundred years old, one of the local treasures.  I had a few hours before the light changed and my "model" left.

Dining Room

Dining Room, 18x24, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett

I painted this a few years ago.  Since then the room has been rearranged.

Coffee Shop Watercolor

Coffee Shop May 22, gouache on paper, 10x13, Patricia Bennett

Tonight there were a lot of people at the coffee shop.

Lisa

Lisa, 11x14, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

From a photo.  And inspired by a Sargent drawing.

Suzin beginning, and two cats

Suzin beginning, 18x24, graphite on canvas, Patricia Bennett

I started this today.  

Cats, 18x24, acrylic on canvas, Patricia Bennett

Not done yet, but getting there.  I like the patterns on the cats

.

Mac, finished

Mac, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

One of my neighborhood portraits, completed.  This one took two sittings.

He has agreed to sit for a half-length, 30x40" portrait.

Hawaiian Shirt

Hawaiian Shirt, 5x8", gouache, Patricia Bennett

At the local Starbucks tonight.

Harrisburg

Harrisburg, 11x14, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

Drawing from a photo.

Harriet

Harriet, 18x22, acrylic on board, Patricia Bennett

A portrait of Harriet.

This is my first time using acrylics on one of my prepared boards.  These boards used to be for oil painting: 8 coats of acrylic mixed with pigment, each coat sanded.  I enjoyed painting on the smooth surface and allowing the cool bluish board color to shine through.  The acrylic got a little sticky and beaded up at first.

Process: I drew Harriet with pencil in the pose that I thought she would stay in.  Then I painted her face and the area around it.  Going for unity of color, I made her hair the same color as the lamby and the wall the same as her pants.  I used only primary colors (red, blue, yellow), with black, white, and naples yellow.

This was a two-sitting painting because Harriet is leaving tomorrow.


This is the first sitting:

First Sitting, 18x22, acrylic on board, Patricia Bennett

Wexford House in Color

Wexford House Color, 9x12, acrylic and pen on paper, Patricia Bennett

I added color with acrylic paint.

Wexford House

Wexford House, Pen on paper, 9x12, Patricia Bennett

The house across the street.

Madeline

Madeline, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

My neighborhood model sat for me today for three hours.  First I drew her carefully in pencil.  Then, I used paint.  I wanted my colors to be harmonious.

She was a lot of fun to paint.

In return, she kept the portrait.

Lovey

Lovey, 18x24, oil on panel, Patricia Bennett 

The lovely and classy Lovey Young passed away today.  She was amazing.  I cannot believe that she is gone.  She was very generous and funny, as well as smart.  I treasure my memories of her.

Sara

Sara, 18x24, oil on canvas, Patricia Bennett

For some reason I like to give models enormous legs.  Her legs really were not that large.

Putin and Angel

Putin and Angel, 9x11, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

A careful line drawing.

Baltimore View

24x36, Baltimore View, oil on canvas, Patricia Bennett

Painted when Legg Mason's name was on the tall skinny building...

Mac, 11x14", acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

Mac generously sat for me today.  This isn't quite done.  This week he will come back and I will fix his mustache and give him blue eyes and refine his features.

3am Portrait, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

 A night sketch.  I think I need a new model.  This one doesn't sit still.

Roxie, 22x22, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

Finally done with Roxie.

Angel in Coffee Shop

Angel in Coffee Shop, 9x12, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

I've always thought angels should be in coffee shops.  This coffee shop is Common Grounds, in Hampden.  She's having her coffee.

Midnight Princess, 11x14, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

This model moved whenever I did.  It was very challenging.