Dec 10, 2010 | Fine Art Pastel Paintings, Nature Painting
“Enchanted Bloom” is Signed and Finished!!! I have completed the last step before the actual scanning of the Original Pastel Nature Painting. All the chalk has an even appearance which means that all the many layers are blended over the whole painting. This is critical step because it will scan and reproduce as a very fine duplication of the original. You can find my signature on the left hand side at the end of a petal. For the next four to five days I will be spraying the piece in preparation for the scanning and framing. I have already selected a very unique frame that will compliment the piece. It is a solid wooden frame approximatley 5 1/2″ wide with a continuous flow and no corner seams in an off-white textured finish. It is a custom frame and will take about four weeks to be made. Meanwhile once the scan is complete the image will look even better and closer to the original. I have been taking shots with my camera so you can see my progression as I painted this creation. My camera is a great however a more true image will be captured using the powerful and sensitive scanning machine. This beautiful painting is essentially finished. I now hand my original to very competent technicians I have worked with many years for the scanning and framing. I do supervise the piece through these finishing steps. Join me after the Holidays for the creation of a new painting. Sincere Wishes to you all for a very Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!!!!! L.A....
Nov 20, 2010 | Fine Art Pastel Paintings, Nature Painting
Finally the canvas is completely covered with chalk. The nature painting of the flower is alive with depth and softness. It has a dewy touchable feeling. This piece measuresabout 28’X28” and the subtle colors gives an exciting whirling sensation with petal spiraling round and round. For all purposes this painting looks finished however it is not. Now I have to go back in and extenuate the lines of the petals and smooth out edges. Then I spray the painting with a semi-fixative because it seals the many layers of chalk. The spraying takes me about three to four days and I touch up after each spray. Spraying is a difficult task. It must be done many times and the mist must be light and the spray cannot be to wet or it will damage the painting. Waiting for each layer to dry is very important. After the painting has been touched up and sprayed the piece has about 15 to 20 layers of chalk. I carefully have the piece scanned so I can make the best Giclee Reproduction closest to the original. Even though you may feel the piece of this nature pastel painting looks great now after the final touch ups and spraying the art will be much more beautiful. Just think about when you are going out and your hair is great, your dressed to impress and you put on the finishing touches a piece of jewelry, shoes or a tie that one thing that brings it all together and POW! BEAUTIFUL!!! The next time you see “Enchanting Bloom” it will be finished ready for viewing on My Blog and on my website. “Enchanting Bloom”...
Sep 15, 2010 | Fine Art Pastel Paintings, Nature Painting
NOW the pastel painting is starting to take hold! Some of the new petals that have been painted in this nature painting reach the left hand border and the bottom border of the painting. The color palette built on warmer tones in the center now have a more cooler quality with pinks, greys, slight blue touches with a pearlescent top finish. The middle bloom is the center point however the soft folds of the extending petals really gives this piece a serene dreamlike feel that is very beautiful to the eye. Even within the soft colors you can still feel the three-dimensional quality as the petals whirl around the flower folding downward to expose “Enchanted Bloom”. This whirling feeling will become more apparent as the other petals start to be painted in. Keep in mind that I use pastels and each color is built on many shades of colors, layer upon layer, until the right shade and color tone is reached for each part of each petal. Once I have the whole nature painting image painted I then go back into the work diligently building the chalk giving the creation more depth and dimension with the finishing touches. That is when the painting really comes alive! By the next time you see this beautiful Rose image it should almost be complete ready for the finishing touches. If this is your first time viewing this image of this new painting be sure to go back to my earlier posts to see this painting from the beginning. Looking forward to your comments!!!!! Regards, L.A....
Jul 14, 2010 | Fine Art Pastel Paintings, Nature Painting, Uncategorized
Family Matters Like all families there are the good times and the tough times. This has been a tough time for us. For any family who has lost a loved one this is for you. Mary, better known as “Greenma” was a wonderful 94 year old woman who I met about five years ago who recently passed on. The story goes that her young Grandchildren could not pronounce Grandma so Grandma became “Greenma”. “Greenma” and I met at family functions and there was an immediate connection between us. We really adored seeing each other and could not stop chatting when we did. I still can hear the sweet Southern tone of her voice. She dressed so modern yet it suited her. Even at 94! she looked like an elegant perfect Southern Lady. She was slim wore little or no makeup, was beautiful with light blue eyes and striking white hair to her chin all one length parted on the side with a lovely wave. Even young women were envious of her glamorous look. She will always remain my idol. She had an adoring family and an extraordinary Daughter who was the main caretaker. Her other loving Daughter also pitched in when she was in town. She was so loved by her Grandson, Granddaughters and Great Grandchildren. I feel so lucky to have met her and spent some of my life knowing her. She is forever in my spirit. It is her life that I am celebrating with the two new nature paintings I am now creating. Both new pastel paintings are Florals dedicated to “Greenma” for she loved Flowers. As...