Michael2

Michael2, acrylic on paper, 16x20

A second sitting on this at the Zoll studio.  The other artists thought that I was painting with watercolor.

I've been looking at Aaron Sopher's work, a Baltimore artist.  One of his collectors brought over a number of his works for me to look at.  My favorite is one he drew of the Zoo and an elephant.

Scarlet and Brown Starbucks

Starbucks July 29, 2012, Patricia Bennett, 5x7", gouache

Painted on Sunday, after re-visiting the amazing Bellows show in D.C.  A lively group of coffee drinkers.

Starbucks July 30, 2012, Patricia Bennett, 5x7", gouache

Painted on Monday, calmer and more studious.  I looked at Richard Schmid's Landscape book, and was inspired to carefully render the space.

Painted Sketch, and Corporate drawing sketch

Michael 1, 16x20, acrylic on paper, Patricia Bennett

 I did this tonight at the Zoll Studio from a live model.

Corporate Study, 18x24, graphite on paper, Patricia Bennett

A graphite study for the corporate portrait.  I'll work on the expression and add more details.

Farmer's Market, July 22, 2012

Farmers Market July 22, 2012, 24x36, acrylic on canvas, Patricia Bennett

I painted the Baltimore Farmer's Market this morning.  I love the location, under the highway.  It's got a gritty Bellows feel.

About fifty people watched me paint, children were the most interested.  One elderly man in a wheelchair wanted to take the painting with him on the bus to the VA Hospital where he resides.

If anyone is interested in signed prints, let me know.

Form

Form, 9x12, Patricia Bennett

This took a long time.  I returned to shapes of shadows.

Painted drawing

Rose, 9x12, Patricia Bennett

I painted in my pencil drawing using my Sargent copy as a guide...

Another Sitting, added color to Sargent copy

Sargent copy with angel and coffee cup in progress, 18x24, acrylic on canvas, Patricia Bennett 

I added some color back in today.

Acrylic is a challenging medium due to its rapid drying time.  Sargent's color mixing seems to be making a massive amount of one tone, then taking that tone and varying its value and tone with subtle additions of other colors.  He uses a warm stroke, then attached to it is a cool stroke.  I noticed this in the hair area, which he treats as tree foliage in his drawings, and in the nose and eyelids...

Second sitting on Sargent copy, added angel sketch

Second sitting Sargent copy with angel and coffee cup, 18x24, acrylic, Patricia Bennett

I added the angel on the girl's shoulder and defined her face with angular brushstrokes.

We went to the George Bellow's exhibit at the National Gallery in D.C.  His work has enormous vitality, especially the boxers.  My favorite are the paintings under the highway in New York City.   They make me want to paint the Farmer's Market in Baltimore which is under I-83.

Sargent copy, started, Black and White

Sargent copy with cup, 18x24, unfinished, acrylic on canvas, Patricia Bennett

For those who know the painting, which is deservedly famous, you will notice that my copy is in black and white.  Color will be added later.  I'm also adding a coffee cup and an angel.

This is the first in a series of Sargent copies with coffee cups and angels added.

I have a Live Painting Event coming up in a couple of weeks at the Ritz...