Serious toolware

Got a new camera today, second hand thanks to ebay! This is the next big investment to start the serious stuff! Ordered some Macro lenses to fit onto the standard lens and will consider a wide-angle in the future for landscape painting...

Dalia I

Acrylics on canvas
91cm x 76cm

My biggest painting so far, I've spend a lot of time refining the blending effect on each petal, and I'm quite happy with the result. The paint consumption is huge though.
I found the picture on Flickr again... and I know you've asked, this is most probably a Dalia ;-)

The beast

Bigger paintings = bigger easel. Got down to CassArt for the sales and found myself the perfect one. I did cut down the legs a bit, and can now use it as a table easel. It can handle large canvas as needed for most of my paintings now.

Canette broyée II (Crushed can II)

Acrylics on canvas
56cm x 40.5cm

And another one! Got the picture on Flickr again, bless the Macro afisionados posting their work. I much prefer this one as I found the finish, range of tones and lighting are better.

Canette broyée I (Crushed can I)

Acrylics on canvas
56cm x 40.5cm

Starting more serious things now, this was an idea at the back of my mind for a while now. I've had to hunt on the internet for a picture and I found one on Flickr again. The black background contributes really well to the overall effect and the can stands out quite well. The label might lack something to "anchor" it to the can though but it has proven a very good exercise. The new artist's quality brushes are amazing, I can tell the difference from previous paintings.

Yes I know, it's very pop-art / Warhol alike, but that's definitely what I like to do...

Farniente

Acrylics on canvas

Did that one a bit too quickly but it's actually quite a big size. I realized how difficult it was to paint a portrait!

Christmas

Santa's been really kind to me and I got some artist's quality brushes. I'm giving it a try now and I must say the difference is huge, just a complete different feel and control! Really worth it I think...

Mandarine I (Tangerine I)

Acrylics on canvas

20cm x 20cm

Did this one over christmas and left it at my parent's. This will go nicely with the cherries.

Cerises I (Cherries I)

Acrylics on canvas
20cm x 20cm

This one is my prefered still life so far, the picture is from a Flickr member. I've found the reflection work really well in helping getting something more realistic. Definitely a subject I will study in much more depth in the future. I've noticed how reflection is a central piece in a lot of artists' work.

This one will be a christmas gift too!

Orchidées (Orchids)

Acrylics on canvas
56cm x 40.5cm

This one is a bit of a miss but I've decided to post it anyhow. the level of details is not satisfying me now that I look back at it and I've resort to sort of semi-transparent brushstrokes instead of blending sometimes. Although it works from a distance, a more close-up view is a bit messy.

Zippo I

Acrylics on canvas board
66cm x 45.7cm

I've been looking a lot for pictures on Flickr lately, there's a wealth of amazing photographers and it has proven a good source of inspiration. I'm quite attracted by Macro shots but don't have any decent gear to do that myself yet.
I'm planning on framing that one with an dark brown american frame and offer that as a christmas gift to my brother, hope he will like it...

Pamplemousse I (Grapefruit I)

Acrylics on canvas board
20cm x 20cm

This is a copy of a painting I found on Google image, it gives me a bit of practice, and helped me forget about composition for a minute. Sadly, composition is probably what I need to work on most :-(

Pomme I (Apple I)

Acrylics on canvas board
20cm x 20cm

I like the (unintentional) old style this one has.

Kiwi I

Acrylics on canvas board
20cm x 20cm

Another one, still a bit shaking with the blending, shape and tones... need to work on that.

Citron I (Lemon I)

Acrylics on canvas board
20cm x 20cm

This is one of my first still life. I'm now getting a feel of acrylics but the drying time still surprises me. Gauging the right amount of medium is a problem too, as it becomes sticking and can build-up if still working it whist drying...

Here we go...

Here we go, I've bought a good starter kit, Liquitex paint & medium, a table easel, an entry level set of brushes, Stay-wet palette and a couple of hardboard canvases. Have decided to start with 20x20cm size to get in touch with painting and study still life to find simple compositions.