Friday, June 30, 2017

Abstract Landscape | Daily Painting | Small Oil Painting | Seeing Better Days by Carol Schiff | 6x8 Oil

This abstract landscape of an isolated structure in blazing sunlight is a memory of the days I lived in Louisiana and Texas.  Often we would find these abandoned structures awaiting a new life.

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 But it could also be from the countryside of Arizona or even North Dakota, where the weather is very rugged.  Can you tell I moved a lot in my life?  Yes, I spent years and years following my Air Force husband from location to location.  We are so happy to have spread our roots in Florida and North Carolina.




I have to be in the mood to paint with a palette knife, but when I am.....it is really fun (and in my case messy).  Most of my favorite artwork (by me) has a least, some areas of knife work.  I really love the texture which I feel brings a whole new dimension to the piece.

Thanks so much for viewing my abstract landscape today.  I hope you will pin it!



www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Swan Oil Painting, Daily Painting, "Swan Reflections" by Carol Schiff, 16x20x.75 Oil

On most mornings, I take a walk around the neighborhood.  Everyday, I would pass this beautiful creature and his mate, gliding across the water of a small pond.  When I saw the photograph I was able to take, I knew I would want to paint it.
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 I painted with brush and palette knife and was able to obtain a nicely textured surface to indicate the water.
The background, which was difficult to photograph correctly, is a mixture of a rich brown and a greenish dark.

detail



I have done several paintings using the reference images I took that day.  One is a 11x14 pastel and one is a 6x8 oil.  I am glad I had my camera that day because the birds are gone now.  I like to think they just flew away.

Thank you for viewing my daily painting today.   I hope you will pin it!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
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Monday, June 26, 2017

Floral Still Life on Linen, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, "Mary's Vase" 9x12" Oil

I did this painting a few weeks ago with my paint group, Pieces of Eight.  Mary brought in a set up of fresh flowers and her favorite vase.



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 I wanted to keep it free and loose, so I started painting with both and palette knife and a brush.  I was painting on a linen covered panel, and left much of the background unpainted for added texture and interest.

I have never seen a mum in this colors before, white petals and a purpley blue center.  This is where the knife action came in.

Thank you Mary, for bring these beautiful fresh flowers and thank you to all who are reading my blog today.


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Expressionists Abstract Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, Cross Composition in Orange, Blue and Purple, 8x8x1.5 Original Oil

This contemporary abstract painting is on a heavily textured stretched canvas. 
I used a cross (one of my favorites) composition and split complementary colors of blue, purple and orange to achieve a nice glow. I painted with a knife to get even more texture and very subtle color changes. 
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 This contemporary abstract painting is on a heavily textured stretched canvas.
I used a cross  composition(one of my favorites)  and split complementary colors of blue, purple and orange to achieve a nice glow. I painted with a knife to get even more texture and very subtle color changes. 


                                                                                                                                                                                           

I was always fairly mystified about the process of painting an abstract, but I am finding that it is much like any other artwork.  You must have a composition, a point of interest,  color interaction and contrast.

Thanks for viewing my blog today.

WWW.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Wildlife Painting | Blue Heron Art | Small Oil Painting | Daily Painting | Flight by Carol Schiff | 6x18x1.5 Oil SOLD

I was standing on the dock with my camera when this gorgeous Great Blue Heron flew towards me and landed on the railing nearby.  My lucky day!  I snapped several photos of this beautiful specimen and have painted him twice.


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I was thrilled to get a photograph of him flying, something that usually doesn't work out for me.

I used my palette knife to obtain the texture of the water.

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You may remember seeing this first painting a short time ago.

I don't think this bird was friendly so much......just determined.  Behind me on the dock were several fishermen and he was hoping for an effortless meal.

Thanks for reading my blog today.


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Floral Still Life, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, Flower Still Life, 12x12x1.5" Oil, "Garden Bounty"

I picked these flowers (peony and hydrangea)  from my garden, and placed them in sunlight.




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I have to admit, I struggled with this piece.  I started with a brush, but after much frustration, I turned to my trusty palette knife.  In the end, I am happy with the values, and the glow on the hydrangea on the rigfht.  And the colors, love the colors.  In fact, the more I look at it....the happier I get!

So the moral of this story is, don't give up!





www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Abstract Seascape Oil Painting, Tropical Waters, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 11x14x1.5" SOLD

Continuing on my tropical journey to the Florida Keys.  Today's post is my impressions of the sea off the coast of southern Florida.

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 It is hard to find more fun (in the studio), than to dig into a big pile of paint, with your knife, and just go to town.  Adding and subtracting values and hues........puts me in the zone every time.

detail
As much as I love creating all this yummy texture, I can only do it for a few days, before I start to crave a little structure and strong composition.  Each day I work on this coral reef series, I get a little less abstract and and little more impressionist.

Join me on my journey.....



Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Carol Schiff

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Coral Reef Painting, Textured Palette Knife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 8x8x1.5" Oil

This is another in my "Coral Reef" series, that were inspired by a trip to Key Largo.


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I was also inspired by artist Lynn Boggess, an artist, whose work I admire.  Lynn works on huge canvases, which he carries into the mountains, and paints plein aire.  He paints with paint trowels instead of a brush and brings incredible texture to his works.

I worked on a small canvas, with a palette knife.  

Thanks for reading my blog today.



Carol Schiff


Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Abstract Landscape Painting, Textured Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 10x10x3" Oil

I found some square 3 inch deep canvases in my studio, and decided to play around with one.


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I tried several approaches, but nothing was working for me.  So, I just started playing with paint and my palette knife.  I was envisioning  a sunset over the landscape, choosing colors that "felt" right for me.



You can see how deep the canvas is in this pic.  I actually love these big clunky canvases on shelves rather than walls, and I like the feel of the rough clunky paint.

All in all, it was a fun painting day.



Friday, June 2, 2017

Hometown Train Station, Landscape Oil Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 11x14 Landscape

I have felt the need to paint buildings, or other landmarks that man has left on our planet.....maybe even "man" himself.  Most of my paintings, landscapes, seascapes, floral, are organic shapes and I wanted to try some straight lines!


I found this image of the old train station in my hometown of Wauseon, Ohio.  It looks exactly as I remembered it.

Naturally, I tightened up.....really tightened up!  This is not what I wanted!  I want a loose building, one that looks comfortable on the canvas.  Now I am beginning to remember why I don't paint buildings.

I am hoping this is just a matter of practice, practice, practice.  My plan is to try again and again.

Thanks for viewing my blog today.

Carol Schiff
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