Celebrating Color

The latest news from Carol McIntyre's studio...

When You Mix Purple and Orange, What Happens?

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What happens when you mix purple and orange? Or perhaps, I should first ask the question, “Do you ever mix purple and orange?” These are two secondary colors that many painters may not think about mixing together. I happen to love this combination, because of the variety of browns that can result with this mixture. And, I confess, purple happens to be one of my favorite colors as a hue and it is a good color to use in many mixtures.

mix purple and orange

So What Does Happen When You Mix Purple and Orange?

My painting example to help answer this question is a pet portrait I completed recently of my beloved dog Kyla. She was a mixture of a Norwegian Elkhound and a German Shepherd. This gave her lots of lovely tans, browns, rusts, orange colors. When out walking, people would often stop asking to pet her or they would admire how pretty she was. [Read more…]

Watch the Custom Horse Painting Demo of ‘River’ | Stage 6

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When we last saw ‘River’ in Stage 5 of his evolution, he was nearly completed. Based on input from Beth and my own need to tweak here and there (sometimes, we artists have a hard time of stopping….we keep seeing things in a painting that need a little of this and that), I believe ‘River’ is ready to depart my studio and head for home in Florida. What do you think?

custom horse painting

‘River,’ 24″x28″x2″ oil on wrapped canvas

Beth wrote saying that I have “captured him beautifully!!” She had described her vision as one that arrived while she was practicing yoga and that River was telling her, “I feel great, I can run again!” Previous to his death, River had been quite ill, in pain and unable to run.

I, of course, could not be more pleased knowing that I have transformed Beth’s vision. I will miss him and his spirit in my studio. Way back in the beginning, the challenge was one that I was not too sure I could tackle, though I do love a good challenge. I am grateful for this opportunity and for Beth’s faith in me and my artistic skills.

Horse lovers, how did I do? Do you feel his glee at being set free in horse heaven?

Please share this post with others who may be interested in the painting process.

Watch the Custom Horse Painting Demo of ‘River’ | Stage 4

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As I continue this custom horse painting demo of ‘River,’ I have increased my horse language and learned all kinds of things about the unique characteristics of horses. I am glad that I have models across and up the street from me. The real model surpasses studying photographs.

When you have been around a horse, have you ever taken a few minutes and watched its ears swivel? Have you noticed how the ears can face the same direction simultaneously and the next second one ear turns to a completely different direction? They are similar to two separate radar satellites. It is entertaining to watch and make sure the next time you are around a horse, notice how his/her ears move. They could be telling you something.

As in every commission painting I create, I am always learning something – one the many benefits of commissioned paintings that I enjoy. ‘River’ has been teaching me a lot about his family of horses. They are complex and spiritual beings that, I believe, will always offer mystery to we humans. In fact, this intrigues us. They project strong contrasts – huge, powerful and intimidating, yet soft and gentle; quiet for most part, yet full of stories to tell and not afraid to let you know how they feel; lumbering when they walk, yet graceful and light on their feet when on the run.

custom horse painting demo

At this stage of the painting, I have have begun altering the background slightly by adding some texture with my palette knife. I do this by lightly scraping thin layers of color across the canvas.

[Read more…]

Preparing Papers for Collage Paintings

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Varnishing paper/cloth for collage (click to enlarge)

Have you ever wanted to use very fragile papers in a collage but did not know how to prepare them? Often, some tissue papers can be so thin and flimsy that when it comes to applying them to the surface of collage artwork, it falls a part or disintegrates; hence making a mess and nearly impossible to apply the paper easily.

I learned from a fellow artist that “Gloss Medium & Varnish Medium” made by Liquitex is a good medium to start with, (I have a 16oz bottle visible in the photo). First, I must have a white plastic garbage bag – no other colored bag works – to place down on my table. Then I lay out the papers I want varnished (one of my favorites is old sewing patterns). With an inexpensive 2″ brush I gently apply this varnish on one side of the paper. Acrylic paint can be added to the varnish for color if desired. Once the varnished papers are dry — it is transparent when it dries — I then v-e-r-y carefully peel off the paper from the plastic bag, turn it over and varnish the other side.

The varnish is archival, but I do not know if this process makes my non-archival papers — old sheet music, fabric, sewing patterns, mags, etc. — archival or not. If you know, please share!

I am off to a collage workshop with internationally known collage artist Jonathan Talbot, and I hope to learn the answers to several questions.  He seems to be a great teacher, so I am truly looking forward to it. I will also be meeting people I have not met before. Fun!

Painting Process of Pet Portrait-Skjonn #10

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Skjonn -- Nearly Complete! (click to enlarge)

Did you know that Skjonn is known as the “Angel Dog” or “Angel Girl?”  As you can imagine, angels are nearly impossible to paint (lol!), but I did do something in the painting that I am not sure anyone can see. I implied a halo over her head in the clouds. Do you see it?

Not only is Skjonn one of those special canine beings every dog owner would cherish, she was also prematurely grey (and quite grey at age 13).  I left this to the end and just lightly indicted some grey hairs around her mouth and on her mussel. Is it enough or too much?

There are lots of colors in this painting and I am wondering if there are too many colors? I think I corrected her eyes and then applied the various oranges for highlights. Let me know if any adjustments need to be made, colors altered, etc. She is definitely a happy dog with lots of energy, which I hope I have conveyed that, but only her owners know for sure.

…to be continued.