Figurative Painting on a Small Canvas

Playtime 11 x 14 Oil on canvas board

I have been painting figurative oils on a small scale the last few months. This is very different then painting the large canvases upon which I paint portraits. It has been a fun exercise. Above is on of my favorite paintings that has resulted from this new endeavour. It is of Oliver playing with a favorite toy on the sofa. A benefit of smaller paintings is they fit just about anywhere. This one will be making an appearance at my husbands office. Who said you can't have original oil paintings in your cubical?

Avery Painting

Avery 12 x 12, oil on canvas

Here is a painting of Avery I completed over the Holidays. It is only 12 inches square in size. It is fun to do these head and shoulder studies from time to time. It will probably end up hung in his room as he does not have a portrait displayed in there yet. (Clara has The Young Artist portrait in her room.) I am working on a larger piece that includes all three children but focuses on Oliver. (That one will likely end Oliver's in his room.)

Happy New Years to you and yours!

Oliver's Portrait

Oliver 24x30 oil on canvas

Working from photo references of last summer's corn harvest I painted Oliver outside in a cornfield for his portrait. I took some artistic license and replaced the plastic Rubbermaid ice chest upon which he was seated with a vintage one. The full sun lighting presented a different challenge then the interior portrait did. I wanted to capture the dramatic lighting without areas feeling "washed out."

On this painting I used a traditional canvas instead of an ultra-smooth finish. There was a recognizable difference and I will return to using smoother surfaces on the portraits to follow.