Tuesday, June 16

AQUA (Creative Tuesdays)


Since my last foiled oil painting attempt, I've wanted to push myself and try it again. After all, my small paint set is actually water soluble — so much easier (and safer) to clean up so no excuse there at least. I decided to once more tackle luscious warm orange-like colours, buying this fruit and then setting it off against our lovely cool aquamarine coloured tea plate set.

Yes, it was a challenge again, especially working with details, but I didn't give up this time, even working through two separate settings as you can see here. At first, outside on our little balcony trying to stay cool from the blazing afternoon sun, then with the pending afternoon showers after work last night, I moved everything indoors. Painting with oils for me can end up being quite messy so I decided to stand in the kitchen, away from the carpet, using every spare bit of counter space I could find (in rather Wanda-like fashion, I might add)! :)

Anyway, with the due date upon me, I decided to end it here, cropping it down to only focus on the more finished centre.

Being the host of this co-op, as you know, I like to encourage each of us to push ourselves that little bit further, trying something different in the process, so I hope I've done that here for you? You know, it's all about activating the various parts of the right side of our brain so nothing stays dormant for too long and we are firing on all mental cylinders! I need every cell in there! :)

So, how about you? Was your aqua a little more blue than green or vice-versa? Hmm... I wonder if anyone did a mermaid perhaps with all that aquamarine around her? Time to find out! 

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Addendum: I plan to actually specifically write something here in under a week — a dedication to someone I call, "My Little Yoda!" Stay tuned.
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20 comments

  1. Michael, I love your still life. This is so very different than your usual ones. I must say I did look behind the plates to see if a little mouse might appear...HaHa.
    I will be trying to really stretch myself in the weeks to come.
    This is one Alexandra will want to hang in your home I'm sure. Love and Hugs.

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    1. Yes, I've done acrylics and tried with the CT flowers theme to do oils again after so long, but that was a disaster. This one turned out better. Never used a palette knife before either, until now. thank you.

      I for one, can't wait to see you back at the table..or washing machine, painting again! :) I hope some of these themes truly inspire you. If you have one that you would like to try, don;t hesitate to let me know an dI will try to include it as a theme down the road.

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  2. I really love the effect of the oil, I thought maybe it was gesso and I would have to get a jar of that to try! Fabulous texture here, great job Michael.

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    1. Painting with Gesso? Never tried that either! Well, if you do ever try oils, may I suggest you stick with water based ones? far easier to clean up, let me tell you. Thank you, Christine for your reliable support to me and the others on the CT team. Peeps like you really make Ct what it is -- Small but powerful.

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  3. The oil is exquisite! Great texture, and I love the colors. It's a perfect pairing of orange and aqua, wonderful complements to one another. This makes me want to go and eat an orange :-D

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    1. Haha, yes, I think I need to eat one of those peaches soon or else they will go off anyway. Thank you, Donna. I used a palette knife here--something I;ve never bothered with before when I used to paint oils.

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  4. this is great! just the right balance of colors and the cropping is just perfect. and I really like the paint textures, you can only get that by hand, digitally, it would be rather hard and I'm glad you managed to finish even with cropping. I think it looks done to me.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. So true about oils--they def offer their own lovely textures! thank you, Lissa! I'm glad I got to this point too...as indeed I am of your piece getting done.

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  5. Mooks....I love that you just keep painting, experimenting and slow.................ly.....letting go of being 100% perfect in what you're doing. hee hee I feel I'm a lucky girl as I get to see your process from beginning to end and this one was such a joy to watch. Let alone you, in your painting garb, one brush tucked above your ear while painting away with another. Great job!! :)

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    1. Next time snap a picture of Michael in his "Art Garb".....

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  6. Gorgeous oil painting with so much movement in those brush stokes. Just love the texture you have on this piece as well. Beautiful colours and a beautiful composition as well. I hope you finish the background and hang it in your home.

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  7. Michael, your perseverance with working in oils paid off! I love the complementary colors. Fabulous job as always! :-)

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  8. Really fun piece and oh my gosh, your outside area looks peaceful.

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  9. Michael,
    I dreamt, prayed and pictured what I would draw but obligations to other things got in the way. I went to a 3 day writers' conference on top of everything else. But it's the first one I have missed this year. I pictured a cerulean blue, but adding yellow to make it closer to aquamarine. I was going to paint a mountain with the blue sky. But I didn't get time. Now helping my daughter spice up her house to sell. I will try hard to be here next time.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Oh and I love your picture. You do a wonderful job of texturing the oil paint.
      J

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    2. No worries, Janis an dI really appreciite you showing such team spirit by visiting everyone and commenting. That is lovely.

      As it is, I am sure you will love the next theme. It;s up on Ct now so do check it out.

      All the best on the house sale stuff! Staging can be fun but tiresome too.

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  10. I am craving a peach now! Love the colours and texture... and the blue is so fresh.

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