I know I have been slow on posting new paintings, but I have been experiencing some camera problems. But I got it figured out so here are four brand new oils. Two figures and two landscapes, all on linen panels, as usual for me. Now, please don't think I haven't been painting much having only four new pieces. I also have done three portraits and half a dozen 5x7 miniatures for a show at the end of this year. So no moss growing on me, I've been working hard.

The first figure painting is "Tribute to Stasia" Stasia is an interesting model. I believe her full name is Anastasia. She is Eastern European and is able to take on very different looks. This is a tribute to one of her more sensuous looks and with glasses. This painting is 14x11 inches.

The second figure is a woman having her first cup of coffee in the morning. This might become part of a larger more complete painting. It measures 16x12 inches.

Now my main forte, landscapes. "Dusk" is a 12x16 oil. I use a  a couple of photographs for this piece due to the quickly fading light. This time of day often gives us a variety of beautiful colors in the sky, and landscape itself. Maybe why it is called the "Magic Hour" or "Golden Hour" by both artists and photographers. This is the last part of the Magic Hour.

"Dawn of a New Day" is a 16x20 inches oil painting. I also used photos because of the rapidly changing light at this time of day. It was much easier for me when younger to get shots like these as I have to get up at oh dark thirty and get out on location for these. The older I get, the harder this gets, and at my age it is truly a chore to get up in time to do these, even though the Texas Hill Country is less than thirty minutes from my home.

When I use photos for reference, I use photographs I take myself. Be it a landscape or hiring models (exception is the "Stasia" painting in this post) or setting up a still life to paint from direct. I do not copy a photo cold. It is purely reference material. I make many changes in composition, color and sometimes the center of interest. This is mainly for landscapes. For figures, portraits. and still lifes I try and paint what I see. I want good likeness in a portrait, the composition is decided when setting up a still life to paint. I also take photographs of the set ups and people I paint for times when the model might not be available or when laying in the basic under painting. People tire of sitting in one position and flowers wilt, so I work with a photo I took for these passages in a painting where I don't need the model as much.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these new offerings, and stay tuned as more are near finish and will be posted very soon.