Pink Roses and Lovebird, Winsor Newton VS Royal Talens Cobra

Pink Roses and Lovebird  Oil on panel, 8" x 8,"  NFS

I changed the brand of paints I use recently.  (from Winsor Newton ws oils to Royal Talens Cobra ws oils)  Here's my initial impressions:  The most remarkable differences between the old and new are consistency and dry time.  Cobra Water Soluble oils are like butter.  ...and relative to Winsor Newton, they dry very slowly. So far, I'm enjoying them. 

Four Roses, kick a$$ quotes and unsolicited advice

Four Roses  Oil on panel, 8" x 6,"  NFS

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."  Pablo Picasso  (Look out, I'm on a roll)  "Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor."  Did you ever notice the more you do, the more you can do? It's true and it's important to remember that when you feel stalled.  Just do something.  If you are stalled with your art, paint something easy.or.hard.  Don't hold out for perfection.  and don't assume because something is "easy," it won't provide growth or be worthwhile. End of unsolicited advice, thank you for reading.

Rose on Poppy Pattern

Rose on Poppy Pattern  Oil on panel, 8" x 8," NFS

Over the years I've done many floral paintings with hopes of having them approved by various publishing companies for use on posters.  (See one here, from DEC of 2009.)  I can tell you that is not an easy business.  So many rejections and a lot of canvas miles.  Though I have no regrets and much was learned.  "Rose on Poppy Pattern" revisits what I was trying to do back in 2009.  Taking what's good from previous work and re-imagining it is always worthwhile.

Deco Still Life before and after fixing a painting

AFTER:  Deco Still Life  Oil on wood  16" x 16"  SOLD

BEFORE:  Oy, bad photo, I realize this in hind site!

Well, you'd think I repainted the whole dang thing based on these photos...  The before photo was shot inside and it's too yellow, my bad!   The after photo of  "Deco Still Life" was taken outside this morning and the overall colors are (shockingly) more accurate. The only parts I actually repainted are the daisies, a few stems and the blooms in the horse head vase.  
If you are wondering "Mmm, I wonder why Diane is hauling out her oldies but goodies and attempting to make them perfect?"  All will be revealed in tomorrow's post.  :)

TJ Roses & 3 Tips on How to Paint Roses

TJ Roses  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

This post was originally titled:  "Why Roses are So Dang Difficult." But we're trying to stay positive, lol.  Thus notes to self, my top tips on how to paint roses:

• Unlike most flowers, each rose usually has a full range of values from dark to light.  Identify accordingly.
• Roses (especially white ones) contain a dizzying array of neutrals and more saturated hues.  Include both or you risk painting something dull and lifeless.
• Regarding edges that spiral, overlap and curl:  Too many graphic edges can be over-kill.  ...and all soft is a snooze-fest.  Use sharp edges for focal points and areas that beg definition.  

Argyle Summer I & II set decorative floral paintings

Argyle Summer I & II  Acrylic on wood  NFS

"Argyle Summer I & II" were a special project that I really enjoyed.   Working with acrylics is very different from oil painting!  Especially challenging, how the paint dries a bit darker...  But I do love how fast they dry, can see much potential for layering and a more graphic style of brushwork.   This week, look for some new cat paintings!

Tea and Roses a floral still life painting

Tea and Roses  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  NFS

The gold decorated white plate in this painting is a flea market find. It has an Art Nouveau grape motif that I love!  I wish I would have painted this one bigger if only to capture the plate's pattern a little better.

Rose Greeting and news about Layla kitteh

Rose Greeting  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

We took Layla the cat to the Vet yesterday. They did bloodwork and prescribed pills for a liver issue.   A good part of the day today was spent researching how to make a cat swallow a pill (1) and (2) trying to get her to swallow pills.  Coating them in butter helped.  "Milk Thistle" and "Sam-e" are also on order.  Hoping to see an increase in her appetite and activity level soon.  :(

Three Roses floral still life painting

Three Roses  Oil on wood  14" x 11"  NFS

This bud vase was discovered in a box of junk vintage items I won at an auction (back when I was selling antique door hardware and lighting on Ebay.)  I like it very much and will paint it again sometime.

Art Deco Still Life

Art Deco Still Life  Oil on wood  16" x 16" SOLD

After my last painting, I felt ready to try something a little brighter.  I'm especially happy with the art deco teapot and I look forward to painting more of my as-of-yet unpainted props.

Free Range Roses I & II large floral paintings

Free Range Roses I & II, each 21" x 7"  NFS

Cat and Roses original oil painting Valentine's Day

Cat and Roses  Oil on wood  NFS

Here's another Valentine's Day painting.  I've painted these exact roses (not to mention the cat) a half dozen times, but this is my favorite so far... 

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Garden Roses oil painting big pretty red roses

Garden Roses  Oil on wood  each 12" x 9"  Please email for info.

Same roses as week before last.  This time around they look less like a 1920's postcard.   Me still likey. 

Garden Roses red floral flower pair paintings

Garden Roses I & II  Oil on wood  each 12" x 9"  NFS

Roses are hard!  But this time around, I think I got it right.  Last time I tried a pair of rose paintings was here.  These have less stem and more bloom and that definitely did the trick. 

Roses original oil painting of roses

Two Roses  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

A bit of news here:  Lark & Key Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina will be representing my work!  Yay!  Starting just as soon as I can send them some.  They're doing an exhibit in October called "Table Manners" and I will for sure have several paintings in that.   In other news, I can't believe it's Friday already, where does the time go?  Summer is passing by too darn quick!  Have a great weekend.

Roses

Monday's Blooms Oil on Paper  each 18" x 12"  NFS
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Here's another go-round with the roses. 

Red Roses oil painting of garden scene

Red Roses  Oil on wood  14" x 11"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Ever since I painted roses last time, I've been thinking about how I would do them again.  The main change I wanted to make was to avoid using white to brighten the lightest petals.  This one accomplishes that although now I may try 'em again with slightly different colors overall.

Rose painting on paper Hoeptner Newsletter

I will be taking this week to work on some pet projects, this is the first of three rose paintings on paper.  It's a work in progress and measures about 8" x 5."       

Yellow Flowers & Sandpiper

Yellow Flowers & Sandpiper 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board NFS

Click image to see bigger.
diane@dianehoeptner.com

Here's today's efforts. I can't say I'm thrilled with it, but I've been wanting to try a more complex composition. This painting has both yellow roses and daffodils, plus a hand carved sandpiper (which I love.) Ah, live and learn. (Sorry, no corresponding interior paint colors for this.)

Mellow Ivory Rose

Mellow Ivory Rose 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board $175.
Click image to see bigger.
diane@dianehoeptner.com

Behr Powered Allspice ICC0-97, Behr Eastern Amber ICC-100, Behr Pumpkin Butter ICC-62