Laying in the background and the 2nd figure

I like keeping the background very loose and will probably blend out the chairs behind her as well, to a certain extent. 

I can't wait to see what happens when I paint in the brighter lights on the rest of the couch and cushions. 

Moving right along

As I continue to lay things in it is becoming obvious that the banister behind her is too much like the color of her skin and needs to be cooled down and lightened a little. Today I hope to fill in the rest of the background behind the couch and the rest of the male figure as well as better resolve things that have already been painted.

New Painting for the 7 Degrees Show

This is the start of the 2nd painting for the 7 Degrees show this May. The piece is part of a larger series that is trying to address nudity, body image, and views on nudity. While my first painting, (coming soon,) was trying to desexualize nudity this painting instead is about how being nude is not always a state of vulnerability, because it puts those around us at a disadvantage as well. 

The painting is started with a complete outline transfered from a large print out of the reference. Starting with just the head, a mixture of clove and safflower oil is spread on to the canvas to slow drying and to help the paint go on more easily. 
The face is first laid in using very bright color because after the highlights are later added the colors will by noticeably dulled. 

Seeing that the face was too warm I started painting in the cool window behind her to help me gage the colors. 

With the head mostly resolved I start moving on down the figure.

Seascape Paintings of Laguna Beach

These are some landscape paintings I did last Summer. I got a call from Phoenix Arizona asking about them so I thought I would post them up here.  This first one was selected by the Coldwell Banker in Laguna Beach for the calender.

1/3 life sculpture of Elizabeth

The 4 latest installments from the work on the Liz sculpture.