Using Wallis Paper

I had said that I would try Wallis Sanded Paper so here is my painting. The problem I had with the Wallis paper is that is didn't stay flat as I worked. Curled at the edges. Maybe I should have taped it down instead of just putting clips to hold it. 

Studio Window, Pastel on Wallis paper, 9x11

I had some geraniums overwintering in one of my south facing studio window. Six plants which I managed to save for spring. The two large windows are perfect for this and the geraniums are now in our garden.

Ignoring the propane tanks that are outside and way below my windows, which I saw while painting this picture, I just put in blue sky and a hint of green of the trees which are behind the tanks. I was standing close to the window working at my easel. My studio is on the first floor but it is pretty high up and my usual view is trees and sky. Very cheerful.

It would be ideal to have north light instead of light from the south. I guess. But I find that a room with only north light is depressing (I took a class years ago at the Art Students League in NY in a studio with only north light). There are a lot of good hints on the internet about fixing south windows to get a north light effect. Really it is only relevant for me when doing still life painting and I don't do portraits. Anyway, it is nice to have a cheerful place to work.

In this painting I wanted to get the effect of the sun shining in the window. Still learning. Do we ever stop? No, never.

Here again after a long break!

I'm finally posting after more than a month's break. I was determined not to let this happen but life gets very busy, time passes, and things (I won't mention anything in particular) interfere and other things don't work out the way one would expect. I'm one of those artists who is always agonizing and then accomplishing little. Sigh...

Anyway, here is a painting that I had done when we lived in Dedham (as in Massachusetts). Am not sure this building and surroundings still look like this since I haven't seen the site in years so I hope those who know it will forgive me.

Endicott Branch Library, Charcoal and pastel on paper, 12 x 14, NFS

It is the back of the Endicott Branch library. The building was an old stable on the original estate. All the buildings, which include a beautiful mansion, and grounds were willed to the Town of Dedham by Katherine Endicott. Endicott Estate is an awesome city park. Besides the public and private activities that go on there it is a wonderful place for children and adults to play. My grandchildren have many fond memories of it. Every year Leila and I would rent out a small space in the wonderful greenhouse to plant seeds for our garden. I do hope the greenhouse is still there.

Rosie, asked for this painting. It started out as a charcoal sketch but I quickly decided to add some color with a few pastels. It was done on a type of paper that I would not ordinarily use for pastel so that alone is iffy. Before sending it off to Oklahoma I had decided that it needed a little re-touching with another layer of pastel which I've done. Typical me.