Jul 14 2010

Latest Commission: Southsea Pier Oil Painting

south parade pier at south sea - oil painting

Southsea Pier, Oil on Canvas, 36x12", 2010

At long last, I can finally show you the painting commission I’ve been working on for the past couple of months.

Med commissioned this oil painting of an ocean scene as an anniversary gift for her husband. It shows the beach in Portsmouth, England where they used to live. This painting features the South Parade Pier and Spitbank Fort at Southsea, a place where the couple spent a lot of time together.

The most challenging part of this painting was the beach. It’s a pebble beach, not a sand beach, and the texture of the pebbles was evident in all the reference pictures I used. I had to figure out a way to show the pebble texture without painting each individual pebble separately.

First, I painted a textured ground, using a dry brush technique. Then I layered dark spots to represent the pebbles. Next, I added a white highlight to the left side of some of the spots. The last step was to dab the pebbles with a tissue to help them appear to fade into the background. The result is an illusion of a pebble beach!

Do you want to commission a unique painting to commemorate your special day? Email me!


May 20 2010

African Sunset Oil Painting Commission

african sunset oil painting commission

African Sunset, Oil on Canvas, 36″ x 24″

This painting commission is finally done!

I’m thrilled with the way it’s turned out and my clients couldn’t be any happier.

This oil painting will hang behind the head table at their wedding in less than a month now.

I’m finished this guy just in time to start my next painting commission: a seacape. I’ll be sure to post it when it’s finished!


May 15 2010

African Sunset – Work In Progress 3

african sunset oil painting

With the wedding just over a month away, this oil painting commission is almost finished!

All that needs to be done is a few finishing details: the giraffes’ tails, some foliage around the horizon, and touching up the mist between the hills.

Aside from this project, I’ve also started work on another painting commission, this one a sea scape. Unfortunately I won’t be able to show it to you until it’s finished and delivered, but you will get to see it!

Don’t forget to join me on Facebook to get more updates on my art.


Apr 25 2010

African Sunset – Work in Progress 2

african sunset, oil painting, commission artwork

This commission is really coming alone. I’ve added some dimension to the clouds, brightened the sun, and (most obviously) painted in the tree.

This is an umbrella thorn acacia, and a very cool looking tree!

Next in this painting is the giraffes, the hills, and a few finishing touches.


Apr 20 2010

African Sunset – Work in Progress 1

african sunset, oil painting on canvas

June is going to be here before we know it so I’ve begun some serious work on this painting. It’s a 3×2′ oil on canvas commission of an African landscape. Don’t forget to check out the value study and the colour study.

I’m really pleased with the way the clouds are coming along. Working wet on wet has been a great way to get soft, wispy clouds. Next I will add more substance and volume to some of the clouds, but I have to wait until the paint dries. I will also lighten the center of the sun so that it appears brighter.

I absolutely love the yellow-orange-red colour scheme of this painting. I think it’s going to look awesome and can’t wait to see it hanging behind the bride and groom at the wedding reception!