Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Garden Fresh II


Garden Fresh II
 9 x 12 Oil Painting

I recently revisited the painting below which I never really finished or more likely just gave up on probably a couple of years ago. Typically I don't like to go back and rework past paintings. I much prefer the excitement of starting something new. 

However, the other day I picked this one up, sanded down any texture from thick, dried paint and applied a thin coat of linseed oil. 

I decided to alter the type of roses, shapes and composition a bit. First reestablished the general areas of light and dark and then continued to refine things from there. The end point was Garden Fresh II , pictured above, which I am much happier with. Glad I decided to give this one another shot.



Monday, May 29, 2017

Rose Study #5

Rose Study #5
6 x 6 oil painting

A simple study of  a white rose, done from life a few weeks back.

Friday, May 26, 2017

Rose Study #4

Rose Study 4
8 x 6 Oil painting
$100
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A study of a rose I had done a couple of months back, but never had the chance to post.  I find form time to time, it's fun to go back to something simple-like  a study of an individual flower- as a break from a more complex painting and an opportunity to really look at the anatomy of a flower.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Garden Delight, watercolor demo

Garden Delight
9 x 9 watercolor
$100
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"Garden Delight" is a watercolor version of a similar painting I've done before in oils.  I did  this as a  quick demonstration /"paint- along" in my recent Painting Flowers in Watercolor class.

  
The first step before starting the painting was to examine and simplify the values within the scene. I actually took a black and white photocopy of the original photo and identified 4 large value masses: the lightest,(the sunlit peonies,) next lightest(sunlit tabletop), midtones (the shadows of the flowers and tabletop and the leaves)  and darkest (the background which provided a foil to contrast the light flowers).

 Once we had a value road map, I put down a warm glaze of a few different colors as an under painting to provide warmth underneath the background foliage which would be finished later when we go to the stage of adding the darks.  Used transparent colors- indian yellow, quinacridone gold , maybe a touch of burnt siena or quinacridone burnt orange.



Next added in shadows on flowers, tabletop and green leaves which are lighter than the dark green background will ultimately be.











 Continuing to work in a progression
from light to dark added in a rich green , varied background over the now dried warm underpainting.

To finish from here, made some subtle transitions and softer edges bridging the shadow and light areas of the peonies, glazed over the vase and did some fine tuning of shapes and edges to complete "Garden Delight" pictured at the top of this blog post.



Monday, May 22, 2017

Garden Fresh

Garden Fresh
8 x 8 Oil Painting
by Pat Fiorello
 $200
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Been enjoying doing some paintings lately that focus on a few blossoms up close in a garden setting.  I plan to continue exploring this further in a series I'm calling "Garden Fresh"

Friday, May 19, 2017

Trailing Roses- A Study and 2 new Garden Workshops for 2018

Trailing Roses- A Study
8 x 10 oil painting
NFS


My intention for this painting was just to have fun as I get back into the studio since my accident 5 weeks ago. Wanted roses to have some depth and specificity but also to keep some areas, particularly as you near the edges, loose and suggested.   

I did base some of the roses loosely on a published photo and made changes to the composition in some areas, but still this study is not for sale just to be respectful of the photographers copyright.  Just a warm up and learning exercise for me.  It was fun to do and you know I love roses so expect to see more like this in the future.


I will be teaching 2 exciting workshops in 2018- both garden related. "Painting Villas and Gardens of Italy" and "Painting English Gardens" in Cornwall, England.  Contact me for details if interested or visit here for Italy or here for England  If you are a flower lover, one of these trips might be a dream vacation /learning experience for you. Both workshops are filling up and space is limited, so please be in touch soon if interested.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Starting Over

Starting Over
12 x 16 Oil Painting

First painting attempted after my accident last month. Painted a simplified version of the "get well bouquet" some of my students sent to me. Wasn't able to focus for long, but at least it's a start.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Joyful Inspiration

Joyful Inspiration
12 x 16 Oil Painting
 SOLD



A painting inspired by one of my "get well" bouquets. A lovely collection of peonies, sunflowers, hydrangea, delphinium and other flowers.