Teapot #3

"Flower Pot"

Kitchen Series - Teapot #3
Original Oil Painting9" x 9"
Oil on Reclaimed Panel
$225

Or click here to email me about Flower Pot.

This is one of a set of 6 kitchen paintings - contact me to see all 6
They are available as a group for $950 with free shipping.

I've called it "Flower Pot" but actually it's a "Fruit Pot". It's covered with embossed fruit. This is one of my favorite teapots. I got it years ago at a yard sale, which is where most of my favorite things come from :)

The painting doesn't look exactly like this anymore, I was going to be a smartie and hang it up on the wall. Of course, it slipped out of my hands and when I caught it, I caught the wet paint, of course.

So it went back on the easel, and was touched up, and looks just a little bit different. If you're interested, I can post a picture of 'after the fall'

Are you ready for Christmas? I am (as usual) trying to make the majority of my gifts. As my son cals it "the realm of 'Mom-gifts'" . . . and I am nowhere close to ready! I haven't even started most of them . . . and the ones I have started, well, some have not been, how shall we say, spectacularly successful? It's okay, I still have a whole week, and only one more Christmas commission to finish LOL . .. oh and I haven't painted my Christmas cards yet, either!

Hope you have a great day! As always, thank you for your interest in my artwork and feel free to forward this to your friends.

Liz

3 Pugs with Personality

Three Pugs with Personality!

16"x20"
Pastel on Paper
Private Commission, NFS

These three adorable dogs were actually painted from one photograph! I don't know how she got them to sit like that LOL

Don't worry, if you can't get all the critters to behave at the same time, most of my portraits are painted from multiple photos.

Here are some closeups of their faces:

DON'T FORGET:

English Springer Spaniel
Available on eBay
Great Christmas Gift!
Starts at $59 - click here to bid

The painting is signed by the artist,
the website copyright appears only on the internet
Satisfaction guaranteed!

The most recent charity auction for
English Springer Spaniel Rescue
Raised over $300 Click here to see!

I know the daily paintings are supposed to be of things other than dogs - and I promise to post some other subjects next time! I am leaving town for a couple weeks, so it might be a while before I post another photo. Back soon!

Another English Springer Spaniel

Black & White English Springer Spaniel

"Hunting Season starts when?"

Original Oil Painting

4" x 6" - Oil on Panel, unframed

Christmas is coming!
Click here to bid!

The painting is signed by the artist,
the website copyright appears only on the internet

The most recent charity auction for
English Springer Spaniel Rescue
Raised over $300 Click here to see!

SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK HERE TO VIEW OTHER DOG PAINTINGS

Click on any picture to see larger view

Please sign up for the mailing list and you won't miss a single dog!

If you have a dog rescue that you would like me to donate a painting to, please click here to contact me.

English Springer Spaniel Charity Painting

Oh my goodness! Was August really the last time I sent out a painting??? Ack!! Well, anyway, here is this week's Charity painting. 100% of the proceeds from this auction benefit the English Springer Spaniel Rescue.

5" x 7"
Original Oil on panel

Click here to bid and help out the dogs!!

Thanks again! and let me know if you have a charity that you'd like me to do a benefit auction for!

- Liz

Beautiful New Home

Beautiful New Home
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas

This was commissioned as a house-warming gift for a couple moving into this beautiful new home. I painted it a while back, but since it was a gift, I had to wait for it to be presented. Thought you would like to see it. There is a larger photo available at my site: http://www.DailyPaintingByLiz.com

I've been working very hard on my current commission, I have to really accomplish a lot tomorrow, because I have two more waiting in the wings. One is for a soldier that is currently in Iraq. If you've been to my main site A Portrait For You (http://www.APortraitForYou.com) you may have seen a notice about the military, police, or search & rescue. I am very grateful to those of you who put yourself in harm's way to make the United States the best place in the world. If you are in the U.S. Armed Forces, or a member of Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, etc, I give very big discounts on any portraits you may wish to commission. I really would like to do something to give back to those who give so much. If you have a member of your family or know someone who has died on duty, law enforcement, fire, or military I will do a graphite portrait at no charge, or an oil for little more than the cost of supplies.

Thanks for your interest! Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have a new daily painting to see!

Liz

Teapot #2 - Dr. Seuss Revisited

Dr. Seuss Revisited
Kitchen Series
9" x 9"
Oil on Reclaimed Panel with Painted Sides
$225

Or click here to email me about Dr Seuss Teapot.

This is one of a set of 6 kitchen paintings - contact me to see all 6
They are available as a group for $950 with free shipping.

I call it "Dr. Seuss Revisited" because it's kind of wonky and very colorful. It is painted on a 3/4" board, which is a very traditional medium, and besides I had some laying around :) The white lines on the upper portion of the painting are reflections from the grain in the wood.

It was done very quickly because I spent the vast majority of my day working on a commission - it's very large 30" x 40" and quite different from my usual work. Hopefully I will show you when it is finished and after it has been presented to the recipient.

If you want to use wood as a support for oil paintings, first put a couple good coats of gesso on it before the oil paints. Oil will deteriorate wood, so make sure you protect it. If you don't want to use gesso, and you're not creating 'archival' artwork, you can just paint it with a good latex paint or primer. If you want to paint in acrylics, you don't have to prime it first, but it does make the paint go on easier.

When I am at my easel painting, I carry on imaginary conversations with you - "See how I fixed that mistake?" or "This is a good way to . . . . " but when I am finally done with the day, and get a chance to sit down and write, I go completely blank - "Here is my painting, it is in oil, it is a teapot" LOL

Maybe it's because I know many of you personally, and I don't want to sound pretentious.

But, here is one thing I thought about while I was painting today - If you'd like to do something a little different with a still life or object, try what I did with this teapot. Set your object or still life up on some brightly colored backgrounds. They can be harmonious, or complementary. I like the purple and orange combination, but then I like purple with just about any other color.

The backgrounds can be fabric, construction paper, or as I used, some art foam stuff that they use for making stamps. The colors reflect onto the subject and add interest and more of a challenge to paint.

Til next time . . . .

Liz

Young Boy by Fence

Hi!

As promised, here is a photo of one of my recent commissions!


This oil on canvas portrait of an adorable young man was composed mostly from one photo that had a nice shot of his face, and another with a shot of the door that they wanted for background. The problem was that the original photo was of him in a bathrobe and I didn't find out until partially through the painting that they didn't want the portrait of him in the bathrobe, but in a shirt that was seen in a third photo. Well, generally, there is a charge for having to make a major change in the portrait after it has been started, but the adjusted portrait looked so much better than the original idea, that I couldn't charge a thing!

I'm working on another large commission (actually I'm working on 3 good-sized commissions, but one is 30"x40") which I can't wait to show you when they are finished!

Thanks for your interest, and please ask any questions you have! I'm glad to answer them and I will answer all emails!

More posts soon!! ???

Liz

Marilyn Monroe Teapot II

Well, here I am, I bet you thought you'd never get another painting from me! I've been busy with some commissions, one of a young boy that I can't wait to show you!

Marilyn Monroe Teapot II
Kitchen Series
9" x 9"
Oil on Reclaimed Panel with Painted Sides
$225

Or click here to email me about Marilyn Monroe Teapot.

This is one of a set of 6 kitchen paintings - contact me to see all 6
They are available as a group for $950 with free shipping.

Without further ado, here is the latest 'fun' painting - I just love this teapot! This is a quick study done on 3/4" plywood, it's 9"x 9". I had some small pieces laying around that I didn't want to go to waste. I will have to do something else to them though. I couldn't stand painting on this flat gesso surface, the brush just dragged! Usually when I paint on wood or a panel, I coat the surface with lacquer, a technique I learned from artist Joy Thomas It's a lot of fun to paint on a lacquered surface, the paint just slips and slides and you can do a lot of manipulation.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Collie Charity Painting

This week's charity painting:

Original Oil Painting

4" x 6" - Oil on Panel, unframed

The detail below shows more accurate color

The painting is signed by the artist,
the website copyright appears only on the internet

Every bit of the money raised by this auction will help dogs receive the treatment they need to live long healthy lives - please be generous!

100% OF ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT RESCUE AT
Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois, Inc.

Click here to bid!

Detail of brushstrokes - larger than life!

When I painted it, I just washed in the background - It was a bit too thin, and I will be touching it up in the next day or so - I'll send an update!

Remember if you have an animal rescue that you would like me to donate a painting to, just let me know! I'd love to work with you.

Thanks for your interest!!
Liz

Shiba Inu Charity Painting

Shiba Inu

Original Oil Painting

4" x 6" - Oil on Panel, unframed

Every bit of the money raised by this auction will help dogs receive the treatment they need to live long healthy lives - please be generous!

Now, I have to admit that I had never heard of a Shiba Inu dog until they contacted me to do an auction for them. They are gorgeous dogs, sort of like a small akita. They come from Japan.

The last auction, which I did not put on my blog (shame on me) raised $160 for Papillon rescue! I hope this one does as well. It is already up to $66 and I just started the auction a few hours ago.

100% OF ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT RESCUE AT
MIDWEST SHIBA INU RESCUE

Detail of brushstrokes on painting - larger than life

Thanks for your interest in my artwork - and for your wonderful emails!

Liz

Still Life Reworking

This is a still life painting that I did a long time ago. I have never been totally satisfied with it and I am going to spend some time reworking it this week. So, this is the "before" picture.


In a side note, over the years I have colleced hundreds of art books and videos. I love books! I am getting ready to move, and have decided that there are many of my books and videos that I no longer look at. I am sure there are artists out there that would use them more than I do. So, I am listing quite a few books and videos on eBay. Not as many as I thought I would, I am really having a hard time parting with any of them, but there may be something you or a friend might be interested in. I have about 20 listed right now, and am getting some videos ready to be listed. I'll be adding things just about every day, since it takes me forever to get them ready ;)

If you're interested, here is a link to the list of books & videos that I am selling on eBay - there will be more added soon! http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZaportraitforyouQQhtZ-1

Thanks for your interest in my artwork!

Liz

Golden Retrievers - FINISHED

Here is the portrait! Complete and finished!

Golden Retrievers
24" x 36" oil on canvas

A couple of things that I did differently from the original photo:
The colors are much brighter and more impressionistic.
In the composition the foreground has been darkened
to make the dogs stand out more
and to allow the fall colors of the trees to really pop.

In the close-ups below, you can see a the brushstrokes a little more
but you can't really see the subtle and complex
colors and textures in this painting.

Close-up of the dog on the right - no longer alien!
She has a ring of light, almost white fur around her neck.

Close-up of the male dog :)

The client first said "Oh! It looks so much different than it does on the internet"
(which is what I always tell people)
After she presented it to the recipient, she sent me an email saying
"Liz, we love the painting. Thank you for all of the work and updates!"

Thank you for your interest. I am off to visit the Ft. Worth Art Show today - should be a lot of fun and inspiration! Please forward to anyone interested :)

Liz

Golden Retrievers - Working on the Dogs

Well, the dog on the right just got away from me, so I eneded up wiping the entire dog out, except for her tail.
Her head had gotten too large, and her body was too thin, she was just not right.



Started painting her back in - she is not even close to finished, but the posture and proportions are more accurte (if they don't get away from me again). Did more work on refining the male dog's face. There is still a lot to do on the painting. Some paintings go fairly smoothly from conception to completion. Some, like this one, fight me all the way to the end LOL.

More coming soon! As always, thank you for your interest!

Liz

Golden Retrievers - Refining Background & Working on the Dogs

I don't know what happened with yesterday's post, all those extra pictures!! Sorry about that. They weren't visible in my version, until it arrived in the email! The internet is a strange and wonderful thing.

Ok, here's the progress on the painting for today:



The dog on the left just came off my brushes with ease. I'm sure you can see the beginning of a problem with the dog on the right . . . just "off" . . . kind of alien looking LOL I have the feeling that their real personalities are coming through. The dog on the left is a laid back male and the dog on the right seems more assertive and isn't cooperating with my brushes!

More to see soon! Thank you again for your interest! Please feel free to forward this.

Liz

Golden Retrievers - blocking in the background

I want to integrate the dogs into the background, so I start blocking in the basic areas of the background. I am going to make the background much more colorful than the photo. At this point, the painting is much darker & brighter than it will be when it is finished

Large Dog Commission

This is becoming painting of the month, instead of painting of the day!

Remember the painting I showed you a while back? Well, it has been finished and delivered, so I can now show you the steps I go through on a larger commission. After looking through the photos the the client has sent me we decide on one that would make a good painting. In this case, it is a photo of the two golden retrievers on a path. They also provide me with some additional reference photos that show the dogs' faces and coloration more clearly.


I tone my canvas, (darken it a bit with thinned down paint) This is done so that I can better judge the relative lightness & darkness and the color of the paint that I apply, as opposed to putting it on a stark white canvas.

Here is the initial freehand drawing on the canvas:

I decide to change the front dog's tail so it is less awkward looking. All my paintings are done freehand, and you'll be able to tell in the next few days when totally mess up the dog on the right, which I don't really understand because she looks just about perfect right here. Well, just wait, and you'll see how I can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory LOL . . .

Since you've already seen the step above, here is the next day's progress:


Starting to block in the dark areas and lay out the basic composition shapes of dark versus light. Tomorrow, it'll start to get fun!

As always, thank you for your interest, and your letters and support!! I truly appreciate them!

Liz

Two Pitchers & an Orange

Two Pitchers & An Orange

16"x20" Oil on Panel

(available $500 - click here)

This is a reworking of one of the first paintings that I ever did.
I didn't change much except to add the white tablecloth.

There was originally a white tablecloth in the setup for the painting, and it is reflected in the jug,
but I was just learning to do backgrounds and I just painted it all purple :)

The 'redone' orange reminds me of Cezanne's paintings, so I left it with the dark outline.
It's always been one of my favorite paintings, and I want to paint the jug again.

Here is the original painting:

What do you think? is it an improvement?

The painting is signed by the artist,
the website copyright appears only on the internet.

I've been working on a couple large commissions.
I plan to show you the process for one of them after it has been delivered.
It is, as usual, a surprise for the recipient, so I can't show it to you in "real time".

I will also be showing you the process for a portrait of a house that I will be painting this week.

Thank you for your interest!!

Please ask any questions - all emails answered!
Please feel free to forward to anyone that is interested.

Angel en Plein Air & Black Lab

Angel en Plein Aire

4"x6" Oil on Panel

available $100

Or click here to email me about this painting.

Quick color study of a concrete angel -
Plein Air means it was painted on location, outside.

I have wanted to paint this angel from the first day I saw it.

As I was finishing up in my studio and through the window I could see the setting sun glowing off the angel. Although there really wasn't enough time to do a full painting, I couldn't resist this little gem.

It is painted using mostly the complementary colors of violet and yellow. This creates the feeling of the cooling shadows and the warmth of the sun. Complementary colors also make a nice neutral color when mixed together.

"Object of My Affections III"

Black Labrador Retriever

4"x6" Oil on Panel

SOLD

Since Black Labs love everyone and everything and all food, the object of this Black Labrador's affections could be anything you could conceivably throw, including the couch, or an eagerly anticipated food treat

My goal was to capture the eager intensity of a black lab as they wait for you to throw something (anything!)

Paintings are signed by the artist, the website copyright appears only on the internet.

Thank you for your interest in my art, as usual please forward to friends - all emails answered :)

- Liz

Ugh . . .

Ok . . . this is today's painting. A commission mired in the uglies, but that's what I did all day today - hopefully get it pulled out of the uglies tomorrow . . . there are too many things wrong with it to tell you, but hopefully you'll see the difference when I post it tomorrow (or Thursday, since I have to take a 2 hour drive tomorrow afternoon, might not have time to post)


Started a new commission today - two beautiful Golden Retrievers - another big one 24"x36" - Just blocked in the dogs. I don't always do this much detail, but I was having fun with it :)

As always, thank you for your interest and support. All emails answered, forward to your friends!

Border Collie Charity Painting

It's nice to be back in the swing of things again! This week's 100% charity painting is for

100% OF ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BENEFIT BORDER COLLIE RESCUE AT
Border Collie Rescue of Northern California

Border Collie
4"x6" Oil on Panel

Click here to bid

Detail of painting (much larger than life)

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork. I appreciate it more than you know!

- Liz

Staffordshire Terrier

Today's dog painting is a charity painting for the Border Collie Rescue of So. California, and I will send it out in a separate email when I have the auction up and running.

Yesterday's Daily Dog was a Staffordshire Terrier, also called a Pit Bull. I had a lot of fun painting that bad boy! I forgot to include him in last night's email, so here he is, in all his glory -


Staffordshire Terrier
4" x 6" Oil on Panel
$100 to the first person to email me with "Staffordshire Terrier" the subject line.

Thank you again for your interest in my artwork!

- Liz

Nude Revisited

I had painted a quick nude study a while back - I revisited it today - there were some things about it that bothered me. I was not happy with the face in the original painting, and some of the shadowing was too dark and stark. I had the color too hot in both the light and the shadow.

I ended up repainting it almost completely, but I am much, much happier with it. The face is especially nice. One of the problems that I have is that I am doing this almost completely from imagination. Therefore, I have very little actual shadow or color information and have to invent it. This is not as easy as it sounds! It is much better to have actual visual information to paint from.

Here is a detail of the face. If you'd like to see the entire nude (with strategic "bikini" triangles) click here.

As usual, thank-you for your interest in my painting, please let your friends know about the paintings, and feel free to write. I personally answer all emails.

Beagle Charity Painting

This is the most recent charity painting I have created. It raised over $80 for Nittany Beagle Rescue.

Catching up!

I have been having some real issues with both painter's block and withdrawal from wanting to communicate with anyone, which combine to make it hard to post anything to my blog. The fact that my family reads my entries adds another level of complexity LOL . . . I don't mind pouring my heart out to strangers, but knowing that someone I might have to actually face is reading this, well, it does tend to inhibit me.

I have finally gotten back into the studio and done some paintings, even some of my 'daily paintings' - which were mailed out to my daily painting email list, so if you want to make sure you don't miss any of the paintings, be sure to join the list (there's a button somewhere on this page).

One of the 'daily paintings' I sent out was the process by which I painted this large (24" x 36") painting of two chihuahuas. Each day, I sent a new photo of the progress on the painting. You can see the steps on my daily painting page




Thanks for your interest in my painting, please let your friends know about the paintings, and feel free to write. I personally answer all emails.