This spring I took an art class with a wonderful teacher Karen Danenberger at our local community center…it was termed an artists bootcamp …it took as back through the basics of painting and evolved into doing a finished piece, which you see here. I loved the class because it go me to focus on basic paint mixing and laying out the steps for working on painting. I have set a mental goal for myself to try and work bigger and this was a great step towards that, giving me confidence in the steps … if baby steps at that!
neutral tones – laying in the shapes and shadows
Adding a bit of color – playing with the background values
bringing in lots of colors and working a bit on the details
starting to fine tune with details and highlights note see the photo we were working form on the left of easel
final highlights in place and stepping back to say -done!
I would like to experiment on cropping in on the painting to give it a more dramatic look …what do you think?
different cropping (?)
Lisa Murphy ~ Art 
Beautiful work. Not being an artist I don’t think I am capable of making a comment on the cropping but I think that what you did is just right. It brings the items to the foreground and brightens the colors. Love your work.
thanks – love your comments and I agree! xo
I like the cropping. Funny, Karen brought in a photo from the series this week (in my studio class) to work on just the issue you are addressing. She wanted to shake herself up and get a little out of her comfort zone. I believe in “shake ups.”
Your painting is lovely
thanks Jane – I intended to do more of a close up when I painted it but got so caught up in the drawing and colors that I fell back on doing the whole thing…I think if I frame it I will crop!
hope to see you soon! 🙂
WOW, I really enjoyed seeing the progression of your painting Lisa.
You must be so pleased with how it turned out!
oxo
Thanks Patty! It is such fun to watch it evolve… I am glad I remembered to snap photos along the way…looking forward to the next one:)
xo
Wow!! So impressive… I love that you took the step by step pics! You are a true artist! Do that again!
Hi Lisa,
First of all, thank you for your kind comments regarding the “Artist’s Bootcamp” class. It was a pleasure to have you in it! Your painting is lovely! I enjoyed seeing the photos of it’s progression. I like your painting either way. In the full version, there is a nice feeling of space created and an appealing triangular composition. In the cropped version, there is a lively tension between the objects and the edges of the canvas. It creates a sense of energy rather than a feeling that is more static. In much of your work, it seems that you pay close attention to how the image is framed within the canvas or picture surface. Cropping seems to be part of your statement and a creative tool for you. I would do with the painting whichever feels most comfortable. This painting is a success either way. The colors, brushwork, composition are all delightful!
You have taken some beautiful photos in NC….very inspiring. Have a wonderful summer. Hope to see you when you get back! Karen
Really fantastic Lisa! Glad you are having such an artful time and I am just loving your work. The way you have created depth and highlights is wonderful! xoxo