POINT LOMA SUNSET- FINAL

POINT LOMA SUNSET- STEP 2

POINT LOMA SUNSET- STEP 1

Today I begin a 16" x 20" oil painting of a Point Loma sunset. This is the location of the lighthouse that I just completed and the view from Shelter Island where I spend my weekends. It starts with cadmium yellow medium, cadmium red medium, violet, raw umber and white. It's a very narrow palette and will remain so but it gives a dramatic effect.

OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE- FINAL

Here I've added a couple of very young children playing with a beach ball and detailed more of the landscape and sky. I'll call it done (for now).

OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE- STEP 3

BANANAS ANYONE?

While I was out at Shelter Island selling art today a huge yellow cargo ship load of bananas came in. The same thing happened last weekend too. Just how many bananas do we eat?!?

OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE- STEP 2

OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE- STEP 1

I've just started an oil painting of the Old Point Loma Cabrillo Lighthouse.

GAZANIA RIGENS- STEP 3

Though I have added a lot of paint to this thing the photo doesn't show any huge change since yesterday's version. I hope I'm not boring you too much...

GAZANIA RIGENS- STEP 2

GAZANIA RIGENS- STEP 1

Here I have used the airbrush to map in the colors. The painting is an acrylic and is fairly large at 54" x 42".

"GAZANIA SPLENDENS" FINALLY SOLD

I have noticed many other people's Blogs recently that have apologies for not posting every day and now it is my turn. I am sorry for letting this slide for a few days and I hope I haven't disappointed you too much. Time just slipped away from me each day as business concerns took precedence.
I am happy to have packaged, shipped and been paid for "Pineapple Blueberry Farms", "Dusting the Ridgeline", "Leigh's Kitties" (though Leigh is still waiting for DHL to deliver his painting, "Lily and Puppy" portraits, "Tiger and Nugget", and now "Gazania Splendens" which I have re-posted here. Thank you all for your patronage and your patience.
I am getting up from the computer right now and going in to the studio to start "Gazania Rigens".

LILY ADULT & PUPPY- FINAL

The changes are subtle but I've decided to show you one last look at Lily as an adult and puppy since I worked on both of them quite a bit more.
Next will be a large format Gazenia Splendens for a family that I met down at Shelter Island.

STRETCHING A CANVAS- 2

Whenever you are making a canvas that is more than 30" in any direction you should add braces to keep it from warping under the tension of the stretched canvas. I start by ripping 1/2"- 3/4" strips from a 2"x4" and then cutting notches at the centers of each so they fit together. I drill pilot holes on the ends at an angle for a 1" screw to join them to the inside edge of the stretcher bars and I counter sink the holes so the edge of the screw is less likely to split the wood when I screw them snug. I then glue them with wood glue and clamp them in the center and immediately glue and screw them to the sides after measuring the centers of the stretchers so the are straight. It's a bit over the top but gives a very stable frame for the canvas and this one's 54"x42" so I like the extra stability. Notice that I place a thick magazine under the ends when I set them to give them uniform depth. You want them to be away from where the canvas will be so they don't touch the canvas when you paint and still give room for where a picture hanger will go on the wall. I usually try and get them near the middle of the depth of the 2"x4".

Now it's time to stretch the canvas. First lay it out smooth on a table and lay the stretcher bar assembly over it with the beveled side down against the canvas. Wrap the middle of one edge around the stretcher and place three staples through the canvas. I find 3/8" staples work best. Go to the other side and stretch the canvas taught with wide canvas pliers and staple it down. Move to the end and do the same. The canvas will buckle slightly showing a diamond pattern. Continue to move back and forth across the canvas and end to end placing staples about every 1-1/2" or 2" until you get about 4" from the corners. I use a small tack hammer as I go to secure the staples but you may not need to if your stapler is strong enough to drive the staples all the way in.

Now it's time to finish the corners. I like the folds to be on the top and bottom edge so they don't show from the side on gallery wrapped canvases. Begin by pinching a 45 degree fold and hold that down while you make another that folds right over that one. I usually grab that bigger fold and stretch it tight with the pliers before I staple it all down securely. This makes a very smooth and beautiful corner.
Now all that's left is to apply two or three coats of gesso to the complete surface. I start on the back and cover the staples with gesso right to the edge of the canvas. This prevents the canvas edges from unraveling and also glues the staples in nicely. I've found that starting the front surface in the middle and using small circular motions with the brush as you work your way to the outer edges looks best. You can sand lightly with 300 grit sandpaper between coats and after the final coat for a smoother surface. Good luck and enjoy the pride in making a high quality stretched canvas that is nicer than you can buy ready-made for a lot less money.

STRETCHING A CANVAS

Here I'm going to show you how to stretch your own canvas.
I begin by ripping a 2"x4" length wise down the middle on a 15 degree angle. This allows the canvas to rest on the ridge of the beveled edge and not touch so the wood stretcher bar doesn't show through to the front.
Then you measure and cut your mitered corners on a 45 degree angle.

Drill pilot holes through the corners and into the other bar at a right angle and then counter sink holes so the screws will be flush.

Then you screw a pair of 3" long screws through the corners which very stongly secures them and makes for a stable frame to stretch your canvas on.

LILY PUPPY- STEP 3

Some highlights in her eyes, added some whiskers and a little more subtle shading here and there and she kinda' comes alive.

LILY PUPPY- STEP 2

LILY PUPPY- STEP 1

Here I've outlined in pencil where the color will go on the puppy painting of lovely Lily the yellow lab.

ART IN THE PARK

Another glorious day in paradise! I just love livin' here sometimes.

LILY- STEP 3

LILY- STEP 2

LILY- STEP 1

Today I begin the first of a couple of little oil portraits of a beautiful yellow lab that I met down at Shelter Island. This first step is a pencil outline of the areas of light and dark that I use to map out where I will put the colors.

ART IN THE PARK

Another beautiful day of selling art in the park at Shelter Island.
Wish you were all here!

PINEAPPLE BLUEBERRY FARMS- STEP 3

This will be the final posting of theis drawing as any further changes will be unable to be seen in this size photo.

PINEAPPLE BLUEBERRY FARMS- STEP 2