matt mays

Just finished the first 2 hours of painting this one. (yes... for all you Matt Mays fans out there) 

A nearly perfect evening for me - the paints, a good size canvas (18" x 36"), a glass of wine, and good music. Doesn't get much better than this for me. I look at basic shapes & values when i first start a painting. Where's the light coming from, where are the brightest whites, the deepest shadows, etc. The first sitting is always fun for me, but like many artists, the mistake i often make is not knowing when to stop painting. I love this raw look but I often end up over working it. I'll try really hard not to do that this time. It feels nearly done now - but not quite. I'll post the finished painting soon - if it's not overdone. :o)

girl bleue

I love paintings done in the same tone. Or close to the same tone, just in different values. One really needs very little detail. Funny how certain moods almost warrant a lot of detail, while other moods beg for a few simple strokes of color. Van Gogh had his blue period, as did Picasso, Renoir, and Goya (only his was a black period)... I guess you could say this is from my blue period - except I'm no longer blue, and I don't have my period. :o)