I’ve been studying the portrait and figure on Mondays at the Cincinnati art club…drawing from life (no cameras, transfers, technology or ai). I don’t really want to do portraits, but I DO want to keep improving my craftsmanship as an artist. With the human form, measurements have to be right—they aren’t forgiving like trees or other shapes in nature.
I didn’t achieve a 100%likeness but it’s close. looking back at my sketches since joining the group, it’s amazing how much I have improved. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity.
If you think you have ‘plateaued’ as an artist, I encourage you to keep pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. There is always something new to learn.
To celebrate a beautiful morning, I’m going to try and capture the vibrance and joy of these poppies. I’ll work from direct observation: no photos, no technology, absolutely zero ai.
i scratched out a simple composition…I like the cluster of poppies in the foreground, then tall blades of grass, and poppies in the distance. A bee is floating between the different flowers. stay tuned to see if miss b makes the cut
All my big panels are in my studio, but I was lucky to have some little 6x8s laying around in my car. For this underpainting, I’ve used my biggest brush -to keep from getting lost in details…on my smallest panel size. it might not make sense right now, but color is what will hold this painting together…that’s the next step!!! Stay tuned!
Maybe it would be easier to work from a photo. the flowers are Constantly moving, blowing with the wind…and then the SUN moves too1-changing everything. But there is nothing like being outside + a part of the world I am trying to capture with paint. I *think* I have a color scheme worked out, but it keeps changing: at this point, I’m going to trust my eyes, and go with it!
the wind decided to obliterate one of my models!!!! oh the carnage!!!
Well, im truly a Sunday painter! What a nice way to start the day! In nature with my paints (and Facebook friends!!!). Hope you all have a great day! Pop goes the poppy!! 6×8 oil on panel
Good evening! theres Nothing like the warm late afternoon sunshine. Going to try and capture it (and these tulips) with some oil paint!
afternoon light changes fast, so no time to fuss around. Here’s my composition-let’s get it started!
Values (dark and light) worked out. Time for color! This painting is all about the bright yellow flowers, so all decisions made will be to support that yellow.
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
As if the quickly changing evening sun isn’t challenge enough: NOBODY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THEIR PETALS ONCE THE SUN WENT DOWN!!!! That was a surprise! Well, regardless, I had a wonderful time painting from direct observation: no photos, no tech, no ai: is nothing like working from life…bugs and all!!! Clever titles welcome – oil on board, 6×12”
It’s lunch time, and these asparagus are ready to eat! It’s been a good year for asparagus so far, so I want to celebrate the bounty with a painting!
I have a composition worked out. The drawing on the left is close to the values (dark and light) I want to capture, but the sketch on the right is closer to the composition I want. I want to emphasize the height of the asparagus. A panoramic proportioned board will help. Ok painting time!
The underpainting is roughed out. I used a combination of yesterday’s leftover paint and some violet and Veridian (green). Now it’s time to put colors in!!!
I have a color scheme worked out. A lot of artists find GREEN to one of the more difficult colors to mix. Well, this is a green plant with a green background. I’m living my dream, and I am the one who picked this subject, so will try not to be a crybaby and complain.
Ok! That’s a wrap!!! I really want to title this “kiss my asparagus” what do you think? 6×12” oil on board
Some step by step progress photos of the oil painting of the Market House Theatre I made the other day while visiting Paducah, Kentucky: very friendly and artsy river town.
Greetings while plein air painting from the ’other’ side of the Ohio River: Fort Massac, Illinois. This is where Lewis and Clark stayed for 3 days on their trip out west-they recruited their interpreter here.
Created with photos or technology—painted directly from observation and my emotional response: while the wind blew, and the shadows crept up the buildings. One building a little skinnier than it should be, but I wanted to squeeze it all in.
The march trend in Kentucky seems to be: either no wind and no sun, or sun with lots of wind!
I’m in Flemingsburg hoping to catch this sun without being Carried off to munchkin land!
Wish me luck!
sorry for no sketch…was busy chasing this palette before it floated into the creek! I have an ok underpainting. Let’s get some color out!
If you are the kind of person who likes your artists to suffer for their art, you’ll LOVE this painting. Other than being happy to paint sunshine, this has been a miserable experience. ive had too keep my left hand (freezing) in n the palette, to keep it from blowing away. ok, enough crybaby me…let’s get back to work!!!
Spring suffering 8×10 oil on canvas
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Ken is a self-taught artist from rural Kentucky, whose work includes painting, printmaking, and pottery. He considers himself to be a 'lifetime learner' and uses art to explore and learn more about the world around him. Much of his work reflect his optimistic views on rural folk culture, river life and simple pleasures.
You can visit Ken every Final Friday of the month at studio 400 at the Pendleton Art Center in downtown Cincinnati or by appointment.
