Mini-movie My Transparent Journey Series

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The Process For Untitled, Part One

This post is simply about the process for completing an original painting.  It can be somewhat different with every one because the execution is always different depending on what the artist is trying to achieve.  Of course everyone also has their own style and formulas.  This is mine specific to this small painting.

I have recently been working with hardboard, 8" by 8" in size.  The board is cut and the edges are sanded.  It provides a very smooth surface and that is what I like about it.  It is also not prone to warping like canvas panels and other illustration boards.  I begin by priming these boards with gesso.  This gives the paint a bonding surface.  No less than 4 coats of gesso are applied, lightly sanding between coats.  Each coat requires 24 hours to dry, so I do about ten boards at a time.  The final sanding is done with a fine sanding block to leave a finished smooth surface.

This painting was sketched out beforehand in order to work out any design problems and details.  It was approved by the client, no color composition was done.  The sketch was then traced to transfer onto the prepared board.  This is also the part of the process where I refine the lines and shapes because they are repeated several times.  It helps me to solidify the image into my mind before beginning the painting.

Three separate tracings were used for this image to maintain the accuracy of the reflections in the water.  Two of the tracings of the rocks and the trees will be inverted into the water portion of the scene.

Again the lines are refined even more directly on the board and the image is cleaned up removing any excess carbon.  Shapes and lines are examined, less important ones lifted.

The image on the board is now ready for under painting.  I will focus on the accuracy of shapes during this process, looking at the image through negative and positive shapes rather than lines.  I will be working with only three colors for this leaving very few of the areas completely white.

Thank you for your interest in my work, stay tuned for Part Two.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

And That's Not All...

All panels are done on 8" by 8" hardboard panels in oil unless otherwise noted

Minding My Own Business

I am feeling a little defiant with this one, breaking away from the color structure of glass.  What a wonder…the little goldfish in a bag.  A small miracle of life captured from its habitation to bring us color, joy and that child-like feeling.  We marvel at the way he looks, but does he know how significant he really is?  He is little, part of the bottom of the food chain in the water world.  He is just trying to survive and has no idea how heartwarming he can be to us.  I titled this “Minding My Own Business” as a depiction of how little power we have over the universe.  There is an irony in thinking we have control while our plans can crash down on us before our eyes (even though they seemed to be good plans).  A little pun…maybe.  I prefer to call it sarcastic humor.  My little goldfish is in for a surprise.  He does not know what is about to hit, but we do.  Still cute and full of delight, he just goes about swimming and blowing bubbles…minding his own business.  If hearts could smile, I would be sharing a big one right now…swim baby swim!

The photograph of the wave that was used as reference was courtesy of Leslie Vaslek

Mail Pouch Barn

Driving through farm country in Ohio, you may come across one of these famous and nostalgic barns.  This one I painted with an old cigar jar as my color window to reflect a farming industry that society threatens to extinguish altogether, tobacco.  My resident state of Kentucky has many laws prohibiting smoking, not only inside restaurants, which is easily understood, but also outdoors in plain air!  I have many mixed feelings about this.  One being that the state would not be where it is today without the tobacco production is has come to be known for.  I also understand the damaging effects of second hand smoke, but feel it has been taken to extremes.  It is also a way to outcast, stereotype and ostracizes people in a way that is totally unnecessary.  There are many, many self-destructive habits that cause death, but none so personally attacked as the use of tobacco products.  Well, all that was obviously not on my mind while painting this scene, but I did think of the history and work involved in the making of tobacco products and the many memories made on farms that produced it.  I have respect for that on many levels even if I may not turn a blind eye to the fact that people die everyday from smoking.  Like I said, mixed feelings…sadness for a crop that will soon fade away from our landscapes, but appreciation for old tobacco jars, barns and…well you know.

The reference landscape photograph used for the barn scene was taken by Sherry Paul.

This painting was done on 8" by 8" wood block panel in oil, 3/4" depth, black edges

Winter Warmth

Most sunrises and sunsets in the winter season go unnoticed and unseen.  They look warm and inviting, but the air is still so cold and unwelcome.  This sunrise was beautiful, but the photographs were taken in a hurry as I rushed back inside to get warm again.  The oil lamps in my home provide the atmosphere of warmth as well as a flame that soothes the icy cold soul.  I thought of the two combined together for this scene.  The glorious sunrise awaits us and promises warmth is near, winter displays some of the most contrasting sunrises ever displayed.  I marked my palette to achieve that contrast with this scene.  The light is always brighter with the shadows of darkness behind it.  We are inwardly created to be drawn to the light, but both are necessary.  In a painting, the highlights would never emerge from the shadows and bring life if there were not the shadows.  Such is life and the journey to appreciating light.  His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.  Darkness will always be there, but behold His glorious light that warms and stills the soul!  

River Barge

If I chose to take a day and just take a drive, the river is the perfect destination.  There may be activity happening, but the barges move along at a slow and easy pace.  Just the way I want to take life at times.  They seem to coast through the waters with ease and they know they will eventually get to their destination because the river will lead them there.  Things are still simple enough to get us to our destination as well if we learn each day to enjoy the ease of the journey.  We (I) have the inborn tendency to make things complicated, when just being yourself is all that is needed.  Have we forgotten how to do that?

I chose the large glass fly trap as the antique for this scene because I wanted to show as much of the barge as possible in color.  I love river scenes.  Even if they are new and recent, they still have the impression of days gone by.  Life on the river, regardless of its nature is still an important part of our country’s heritage.  I love the old fly trap as well; it lends that antique fancy I was striving for.  The muted colors in the scene are exactly the look I wanted to achieve.  Mission accomplished!

Warm Spring Night

If we could stop one moment, take a deep breath and take in the breeze of a shore…would it look like this?  I remember when bottles like this were so mesmerizing to me as a child.  My Mom would fill them with colored water and place them in the windows.  The light shining through created different abstract shapes and colors.  I still love vintage bottles to this day and I am sure you will see many of them in my paintings.  They reveal elegance on so many levels and add a little enchantment to our everyday routines.  The sepia tones are rich and dramatic adding to the mood of the scene.

My challenge in painting this was to capture the beauty of the tree seen through the bottle.  These trees bloom in early spring here in Kentucky.  This one I found along the river.  They dare to stand out among the green foliage and the blue of the sky.  You don’t expect them, but there they are!  I wanted to capture this unique and amazing hue through my color window.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

Duke the DOG

My amazing dog that I had from a puppy.  He was an American Bulldog and the greatest protector, companion and pet ever.  We went through some hard times together and I miss him so very much.  This portrait was painted of him on 8" by 8" wood block panel with acrylic medium.  I am showing it as a sample for portraits on commission.  I can go larger or do pencil, oil or acrylic.  Contact me for an estimate from your photo.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, unlawful reproduction prohibited

Kentucky River in Frankfort

This image came from a photograph taken overlooking the Kentucky River in Frankfort.  I felt the colors as I painted and accentuated them on the canvas.  The result was a striking view not typically seen, but one that is clear and beautiful.  This painting has been done in oil on a 10" by 8" canvas panel.  It is signed on the front with a handwritten signature and title on the back.  Auction start date is 2/24/2014.

Sorry, this painting has been SOLD.

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and against the law without consent or permission.

Sea of Galilee

The day I was here, it was sunny and spring was blooming all around.  The colors were breathtaking and inspiring, the atmosphere warm and inviting.  The contrast against the soft distant colors was a beautiful thing to see.  There was such simplicity in this scene.  The painting has been done in oil on a 10" by 8" canvas panel.  It is a signed original with full handwritten signature and title on the back.  Auction start date March 3, 2014.  To purchase, join the 7 day auction by clicking here.  This link will take you to my ebay site to view paintings I currently have for sale.  http://www.ebay.com/sch/Direct-from-the-Artist-/60435/m.html?item=221413458919&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_ssn=cottagecharm91

Copyright 2014 Darlene Dine, use of or reproduction of any image is prohibited and in violation of copyright law.

All purchases can be made through ebay.  If you are not signed up with an account, please create one before the auction begins.  I accept paypal as a method of payment which can use various credit cards or be linked to your bank account safely and securely.  If you are interested in commission work, please contact me and I will answer any questions you may have.  Thank you for participating in my blog.