Katrina Willis, Harvest Time, 2008.
Oil on panel, 16 × 20 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Well, this still life took me a little longer than one day to complete!  I’m glad though, I was able to paint some of the produce from the farmer’s market, and create a dynamic composition.  The ducks are another interesting story; if you’re curious, ask me sometime!

Katrina Willis, Gelassenheit (Tenacious Serenity), 2008.
Graphite on recycled typing paper, 5.5 × 8.5 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Evening in Autumn, 2008.
Pastel on paper, 9 × 12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

There are so many wonderful still life objects around now, so I’m going to weave in a few more still life related pictures into this next week!  This a beautiful gift from my wonderful husband- I drew these flowers in pastel on a gray (75%) toned paper.  It’s challenging to think about color value in the reverse.  So often, I tend to treat darker values as an additive.  We do this with everything.  We write notes with a dark ink on white or light paper.  Even as I type this now, the text on the screen is dark against a light background.  But in drawings like this, the lightest color value really guides the picture; it is a counter intuitive approach, and I get a kick out of the challenge and the philosophical implications.

Katrina Willis, In This Together, 2008.
Oil on canvas, 8×10 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

This study was on its way to becoming a monochrome,  but through the development, it seemed stronger with some added color.  Burnt umber, ultramarine blue and white are the colors in this little study.  I highly recommend monochrome drawings and paintings for those wanting to try their hand at developing more as an artist.  It’s a phenomenal fundamental exercise for very experienced artists as well.

Katrina Willis, From the side, 2008.
Pastel on toned paper, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Wireless, 2008.
Pencil on toned paper, heightened with white, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Last night I was visiting with some students from North Park University, and the discussion turned to making observations about United States citizens and their tendency toward independence and self sufficiency.  So I thought I’d make a visual observation to add to the mix.  This quick sketch is “Wireless.”

Katrina Willis, Sleeping Man, 2008.
Pencil on toned paper, heightened with white, 9×12 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

Katrina Willis, Erin, 2008.
Oil on canvas, 20×24 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com

I finally finished this little head and shoulders of Erin.  I was really tempted to overwork this and get really picky…  Thanks to Mark, though.  He’s great about telling me when a good time stop arrives.  Sometimes I choose to get a little too close to a painting, and I think he was right… He’ll love to hear those words! : )

Katrina Willis, O Nine O Nine O Eight (detail), 2008.
Pencil on paper, 11×14 inches.   © The Artist
http://www.katrinawillis.com