Rock House Homestead Embellished

Today I’m embellishing a LIMITED ORIGINAL Giclee on Canvas of the “Rock House Homestead”. The unembellished piece is up on my easel and we are ready to begin work.  This blog will be a little longer than usual because I’m compressing two sessions into one!

I start by highlighting the sunlit portions of the clouds. Those in the distance are made a bit cooler with a mix of White + Ultramarine Blue + a slight touch of Cadmium Orange. The closer ones are enhanced with the same mix that has additional Cadmium Orange + White to make it warmer. Cool Colors Go Back, Warm Colors Come Forward. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the pictures to see them larger.

The roof of the barn is repainted, enhancing the rusty tin. The upper slanted portion is darker; the flatter roof below is lighter because the sun hits it more directly.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: My collector sent a picture of a 10 point Buck he wanted to have peeking around the corn. Have fun watching as I paint him in.

Our deer is complete, just hope he doesn’t bother the Bluebonnets! When we first moved to our home in Floresville I planted a bunch of gorgeous Bluebonnets in pots along our front walk. The very first night deer came along, nibbled a little and then pulled all of the plants out of the pots! Jack thought it was really funny but I sure didn’t! The deer continued and ultimately won, I had to move my bluebonnets up on our back porch. The deer were too skittish to come that close to the house.

Mark now owns the Rock House, it has been in his family for years. He asked me to change the positions of the swing and chairs on the front porch to where they actually are at the real Rock House. You can see where they were placed in the original painting if you’ll scroll back to the image immediately before the Video. Amanda, Mark’s daughter who had commissioned me to do the original piece, always liked to sit in the swing and wanted it to be more prominent on the porch.

Now the limestone building is embellished, adding lots of texture to the rock.

After glazing all of the Bluebonnets with a mix of Cobalt Blue + Liquin to make them richer in color, I repaint those beautiful blue blooms in the foreground.

Little white caps complete the Bluebonnets. The caps on the flowers in the foreground are pure White, those in the distance are made with White + a little Ultramarine Blue to make them recede.

The cheerful Sunflowers have been repainted, next the Morning Glory blossoms are painted with mixes of Magenta + White.

The flowers on the Cactus are made of Lemon Yellow + White. A mix of Alizarin Crimson + Liquin is perfect for the distinctive centers. Combinations of Alizarin Crimson + White are used for the Wine Cups to the left of the Cactus.

Indian Blanket Flowers are some of my favorite wildflowers, clumps nestle on both sides of the road. It’s fun to repaint the deep red orange blossoms with the yellow tipped petals. My signature is added and……

“Rock House Homestead”  LIMITED ORIGINAL #3/25

The LIMITED ORIGINAL of the “Rock House Homestead” is complete. You can compare the image above to the very first one to see the difference. Some of my readers have asked, “Why are my hand embellished giclees called LIMITED ORIGINALS?” As you can see I paint extensively on each high resolution, digital image with oils; no two are exactly alike. Many times I add special elements to the piece, like I did on “Rock House Homestead” with the deer and porch furniture. So even though each is part of a limited edition, signed and numbered, every single piece is original. Therefore Jack coined the term: LIMITED ORIGINAL.

I appreciate you following my blog. Please feel free to ask questions! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Valentine’s Specials

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner; a painting is a wonderful way to say “I LOVE YOU”. Art is a gift that brings smiles for years to come, long after flowers have faded and candy has disappeared. Jack always referred to us as the most hopeless of “Hopeless Romantics”. So, just for my Team Members, I’m offering an exclusive selection of Senkarik “Billboards of Happiness” at a 14% SAVINGS off the regular prices for your Valentine shopping. As an added bonus, to express how grateful I am that you are a Member of Team Senkarik, I’m giving FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the continental United States! Have fun shopping for that special someone in your life. BUT keep in mind, the pieces shown below are only a few of the paintings available.

CLICK HERE to SHOP the entire collection

“Rise ‘N Shine”

A feisty little Texas Rooster to help your sweetie “Rise ‘N Shine” every morning with a smile on their face. What a fun way to remind your loved one, “I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I COULD CROW”, each time they look at this painting! The painted image is 9 inches by 9 inches. Framed in our Senkarik-White Signature Frame, the outside dimension is 14″ x 14″. The regular price of “Rise ‘N Shine” is $490, however it will be ONLY $421 through Valentine’s Day!

“Serenade of the Sea”

Share the romance of sipping a glass of wine and listening to the “Serenade of the Sea” with your soulmate.

The painted image is 19″ x 25″ and framed in our Senkarik-White Signature Frame. The outer dimension is 24″ x 30″. The regular price of “Serenade of the Sea” is $2,290. However, it is priced at ONLY $1,969 through Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a closeup of the corner of our Signature frame that Jack designed.

CLICK HERE to SHOP the entire collection

“Chef’s Special”

Years ago, as Jack and I sauntered through the outdoor market in Nice, France, we saw a chef picking through field-fresh produce at one of the stands. With cap low on his forehead and cloaked in a red chef’s jacket, he selected his prizes for the day with a slight smile dancing across his face. Jack and I tried to guess what his “Chef’s Special” would be! ARE you and your sweetheart cooking buddies? This painting would be a great way to tell your Special Chef, “I’m really glad I selected you, because you are PERFECT for me!”

“Chef’s Special” is painted in a Gallery Wrap style, the image extends on to the sides of the canvas. The regular price of “Chef’s Special” is $2,290, however it’s only $1,969 through Valentine’s Day! A painting is a long lasting way to say “I LOVE YOU”.  The recipient will feel how much you care every time they view “Chef’s Special” on the wall.

“Junior Gardeners”

Does your soulmate enjoy gardening? Give them this playful pair of “Junior Gardeners” to assist with spring planting. Your loving thoughtfulness will be appreciated every time they view these sweet kitties on their wall. “Junior Gardeners” is painted in the Gallery Wrap Style with the image extending on to the sides of the 14 inch by 14 inch canvas. The regular price of “Junior Gardeners” is $790, however it will be only $679 through Valentine’s Day!

These are just a few of my Original Oil Paintings I’m offering at the 14% SWEETHEART SAVINGS. Several more pieces are included in this exclusive Valentine’s Selection.

CLICK HERE to SHOP the entire collection

Words can’t begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for you making my art a part of your life! Thank you and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

Serenade of the Sea

 

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the Geraniums and Sweet Potato Vine

The Birds of Paradise were partially blocked in during a previous session. Now I come back and finish the broad leaves with mixes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium + Lemon Yellow + a little Cadmium Orange + White. Everything but the kitchen sink!

I love the golden crowns of Bird of Paradise flowers. They are made with Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium and pure Cadmium Yellow Medium. When we lived in Hawaii you could purchase these wonderful blooms at roadside stands. They’d be in large containers accompanied by a sign that read, “$1 a bunch. Please leave money in small bucket!” And we did! Jack would get several bunches, filling our small apartment with the delightful birds. Years later, to celebrate Jack’s first anniversary of being cancer-free, I surprised him with a large bouquet of the beautiful Hawaiian flowers!

Fragrant lavender, mixed with Dioxazine Purple + a little Magenta + White, tumbles over the edge of the planter lining the walk.

The Nasturtium blossoms are mixtures of Alizarin Crimson + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Red Light and plain Cadmium Orange.

I add more Cadmium Yellow Medium to the paint leftover from the Birds of Paradise for the silver dollar shaped Nasturtium Leaves.

Our last step is to complete the lantern. The white candle, nestled in the shadow at the base of the Birds, is painted with various mixes of White + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson).

“Serenade of the Sea”

This piece is one of the unique selection of VALENTINE’S SPECIALS on my website. ALL of the paintings are offered at a 14% savings off the regular prices. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Share the romance of sipping a glass of wine and listening to the “Serenade of the Sea” with your soulmate. A painting is a wonderful way to say “I LOVE YOU”. Art is a gift that brings smiles for years to come, long after flowers have faded and candy has disappeared. The recipient will feel your love every time they view “Serenade of the Sea” on their wall. You may click on the picture to view an enlarged image!

“Serenade of the Sea” is framed in our Senkarik-White Signature Frame. The outside measures 24 inches by 30 inches. CLICK HERE to SHOP all of my Valentine’s Specials.

To express my gratitude to all of you, my readers and collectors, I’m giving you a Valentine’s Gift. FREE SHIPPING anywhere in the continental United States! Have fun shopping! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Bougainvilleas and the Terrace

 

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Blocking in the Bougainvillea

The arms of the Bougainvillea dip down into the sky. The long, thin vines are drawn with a fine liner brush into the wet paint of the sky.

Mixtures of Ptahlo Blue + a little Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow are used for the broad leaves of the Giant Bird of Paradise. The paint is applied with the flat edge of my large, #14 Bright (square) brush.  If you would like to learn more about the brushes I prefer to use CLICK HERE.

The entire surface of the upper terrace is painted, establishing the light and shadow patterns on the tile. Mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + a touch of Pthalo Blue + White are used. Notice how the back edge is made bluer, with a mix of Ultramarine Blue + White, so it will recede. I’ve also cooled the farthest portion of the front shadow to make it drop back. This follows a simple rule that helps to give the feeling of depth in a painting, Cool Colors Go Back, Warm Colors Come Forward. Next the legs of the chairs and table are drawn over the wet floor.

I bring out the fine liner brush again to pull the perspective lines into the wet paint of the tile floor.  This has to be done freehand, bracing against the mahl stick would limit the movement of my arm. I wouldn’t be able to make the straight lines or the curved ones smooth.

Next the horizontal lines separating the tiles are drawn.

Planter walls, topped with tiles, are added. The last step today is to make the tall container by the columns. I’ve mixed White + a bit of Cadmium Red Light into the floor colors to achieve the lighter Terra Cotta. I appreciate you following my blog!

AND DON’T FORGET, I’ll be giving a painting demonstration at Pitzer’s Fine Art Gallery in Wimberley, Texas on Saturday from 4 to 7 PM. Hope you can come! CLICK HERE for more information. HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

Curly Cue Chairs

I carefully work the colors, of the shallow water in the background, around the sketch of the curly cue, wrought iron chairs. It’s tedious but I’ve learned from experience that I don’t want to obliterate my original drawing! That really makes it difficult to finish out the chairs. My wrist is braced against the mahl stick to steady my hand.

The curves of the upper backs of the chairs are drawn with a thin mix of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. Then the seat cushions are painted with a combination of Dioxazine Purple + Ultramarine Blue + White.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: The Wrought Iron Chairs

WHEW! Chairs are finished; the elegance they bring to the terrace is well worth the extra effort.

Now, let’s construct the building. The stucco is made of mixtures of MUD + Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White. More MUD is added for the darker shades. In the corner, at the junction of the walls, the back part of the one coming toward the viewer is made bluer with a mix of Ultramarine Blue + White. This helps to make it recede.

The tops of the Corinthian Columns are fun to paint. The Greeks based the design on the leaves of the Acanthus Mollis plant. We have one of these in our garden, the common name is “Bear’s Breech”.

It’s the tall plant with the extra large leaves in the center container. You may click on the image to enlarge it.

We’re done with the building. Thank you for following along today. AND…I really appreciate all of your wonderful comments; your kind words mean so much to me. Always feel free to ask questions, I’ll be happy to answer. BIG HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Sky and Sea

 

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the sky and distant horizon

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: The Azure Water

Broad strokes of the darker rock colors are made near the shore to give the impression of the large stones underneath the shallow water.

Reflections of the edges of flat rocks protruding from the beach are pulled straight down into the wet sand. A few strokes of Ultramarine Blue + White have also been dragged downward to indicate the reflection of the surf. You may click on the image to enlarge the picture, making this easier to see.

The water behind the unfilled portion of the wine glasses is made slightly darker. Then the rims are highlighted with pure White.

Sky, ocean and beach are complete. Jack always thought my paintings with an open door or archway looked so cool at this stage. He loved the combination of the finished scene in the distance while the foreground was still just a sketch. So this picture is for Our Angel Jack! Have a great day and I’ll see you in our next session! HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

 

Traveling to the Cote d’Azur

We’re heading to the south of France today. Many of you really liked the piece I posted on New Year’s Day. It was actually a detail of a larger painting I had done in 2010. Jack always said, “Your collectors will tell you what to paint!” so I’m going to do another version of this scene. I printed out the square and then designed my new, horizontal painting around it. The sketch is taped to the mantle beside the easel. You may click on the image to see it larger.

Work begins on the canvas by constructing the arches of the terrace. To make sure the uprights of the columns are absolutely straight a T-Square is balanced on top of my canvas to draw the lines. A brush dipped in a thin oil wash of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin is used.

Next the arches are drawn freehand.

A lantern with candles is placed on the low wall along the curved walkway leading to the terrace.

Geraniums and Sweet Potato Vine fill the large container, Birds of Paradise will reside in the planter behind the lantern.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Sketching the Nasturtiums and Giant Birds of Paradise

The low table and chairs snuggle in the space between the Giant Birds of Paradise and foreground flowers.

The wine bottle is first washed in with a thin mix of Sap Green + Liquin. There are going to be glasses with some wine in them so a wash of Alizarin Crimson is applied over the bottom part of the bottle to give the impression it’s half full!

Wine glasses are added, chairs drawn in and the rocks of Cap d’Antibes are sketched in the background. We’re ready to begin painting in our next session!

If you would like to receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. As we say in Texas, “Much Obliged!

http://www.senkarik.com

Rock House Homestead Limited Original

This Limited Original of the “Rock House Homestead” is mounted on contemporary stretcher bars, so the image extends on to the sides of the canvas. NO framing is necessary, my collectors can just hang it on their wall and ENJOY! The wine cups are embellished with mixes of Alizarin Crimson + Permanent Rose, Magenta + Alizarin Crimson and Permanent Rose + Magenta + White.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Embellishing the Indian Blanket Flowers

The oranges and red-oranges in the Indian Blanket Flowers POP when juxtaposed against the Bluebonnets. Blue and Orange are complimentary colors, across from each other on the color wheel. By placing them next to each other the Oranges appear even more brilliant.

Morning Glories cascade over the gate post. The flowers are repainted with mixtures of Magenta + White. You may click on the image to see it larger.

The sunny highlights on the weathered cedar post are enhanced with mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + White. The warmth in these browns makes them come forward from those used for the upright beams and railings on the porch.

Cadmium Yellow combined with Lemon Yellow accentuates the bright petals of the cheery Sunflowers. The large centers are repainted, grasses in the road, as well as the yucca, are tipped with light and the Limited Original of the “Rock House Homestead” is complete! You can see with all of the repainting that is done, no two pieces within an edition are alike. That’s how Jack came up with the term LIMITED ORIGINAL. I appreciate you following along! BIG HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com

Painting on a Giclee

Today I’m embellishing a LIMITED ORIGINAL Giclee of the “Rock House Homestead”, a commission I painted a few months ago. I begin with the old barn in the background. The high resolution reproduction on canvas printed a little warm so I’ve repainted the roof with cool blue grays to make it drop into the distance better. Then the front of the John Deere tractor is highlighted.

The field of Bluebonnets is glazed with a thin oil wash of Cobalt Blue + Liquin. This makes the color of our Texas State flower richer.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Embellishing the Old Rock House

I have a confession to make, I failed to focus the camera when I began the video! BUT I did think of it halfway through, so the second half is in focus. I apologize, a cinematographer I’m NOT!

The limestone building is complete, let’s move on to the Bluebonnets.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Enhancing the Bluebonnets

Now the brilliant blossoms of the Indian Paintbrush are accentuated with mixes of Permanent Rose + Cadmium Orange + White.

Cacti are a Texas Hill Country staple. After spring showers the prickly pads are decked out with beautiful flowers. These are painted with combinations of Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Deep and Cadmium Orange. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the images to see them larger. 

That’s all for today but there’s more to do. I hope you’ll come back for the next session and follow along. If you would like to receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. As we say in Texas, “Much Obliged!

http://www.senkarik.com

 

Liza and Friend

I’m in love with little Miss Piggy. I suppose it’s a girl, I’m going to call her that anyway! I’ve never drawn or painted a pig before, not even in my former life as a Medical Illustrator. And this is such a cutie. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the images to see them larger.

 

Sleeping Beauty, snuggled in Liza’s arms is finished. Now work begins on our future Veterinarian. Her teeth are done as a unit, covering the entire surface with a light wash. Then the indentations of the gums, dipping between the teeth, are indicated. It the teeth were painted individually, it would look like Liza had a picket fence in her mouth.

Stepping back to study the portrait I determine more work is needed to define her facial tones and structure.

Liza’s sparkling eyes were blocked in during the previous session. It’s time to complete them by adding the details.

Liza and Friend      10″ x 10″ Vignette

The last thing to do is make Liza’s widow peak a little more prominent. Liza and Friend has been such a fun portrait to do. Will be fun to hear what Liza says when she receives her surprise! I appreciate you following my blog, please feel free to ask questions. HUGS,

http://www.senkarik.com