Color Garden Series

I've just finished a series of pastel paintings which is absolutely gorgeous, if I say so myself. I'm calling it Color Gardens, because it's an exploration of super-saturated colors in rich pastels. They're each 9 x 12 inches, and I'm selling them for $225. each. They'll be framed in 3 inch wide gold frames, very simple and elegant. I'm just waiting for the frames to arrive - they're on back-order. How annoying!

You can see the rest of them on my website: www.LipkinGallery.com.

Pastel Demo at Plainfield Art League

At the Plainfield Art League, I laid out a variety of pastels, including Nupastel, Rembrandts, Sennelier, and Unisons. Explaining as I worked, I roughed in the painting, working top to bottom and back to front. Then I went back into it and added detail. The whole painting took about an hour. This was a nice group of people, and they asked a lot of questions, which is always fun. There is nothing worse than a roomful of silence, but I love it when there is plenty going on as I work. I finished the painting at home, increasing contrasts, adding details, refining the design. Here it is.

Pastel Demo at Plainfield Art League

In May, I was invited to do a demonstration of pastel technique at the Plainfield Art League. I prepared for it by doing a drawing first, and then an underpainting using oils on Wallis sanded paper. Here are some pix -

You can see that I did a thumbnail sketch, followed by a pencil drawing on the paper. Then I painted in, very loosely, an oil underpainting, using opposite (complementary) colors.

Top Artist

I attended the Art Expo in Lisle, IL this week-end, and got quite a few bargains. I also participated in the Top Artist Contest, and won 2nd Prize! There were 5 contestants. The organizers set up easels for us, with a sheet of sanded pastel paper, and gave each of us 3 Holbein pastel sticks: black, light gray, and pink. They set a white bowl with red apples on a table, and told us to do a still life painting in 8 minutes, using only the 3 colors. There were 3 judges from the sponsors of the Expo, and they took their time. But they eliminated 2 of the contestants after this round. I was really nervous, and didn't want to hear my name called, and when I heard 2 other names, I took a deep breath. Here's my round 1 painting.

For the second challenge, they recruited a model from the audience, and gave the remaining 3 contestants each a yellow and a blue pastel, to add to the gray, black, and pink ones we already had. The assignment was to create a portrait of the model in 5 minutes, using only the 5 colors. At the end of the 5 minutes, the judges studied each picture, taking their time, while we contestants held our collective breath. Each of the 3 portraits was well-done, and each very different, of course. But finally, the judges made their decision. I won 2nd Place. Here's my effort.

For having a really good time, I got all sorts of good loot. Can't wait to go to Dick Blick and spend my gift certificates and coupons.

Top Artist

I'll be at the Art Expo at the Hickory Ridge Marriott in Woodridge, IL on Saturday, July 11, at 4 to 5 pm, competing in the Top Artist Pastel Painting contest. It should be a lot of fun. The challenge is for 5 artists to each do their best work in the time alloted, using materials supplied by the various vendors. There will be a prize awarded by a panel of judges for the best work. Wish me luck!

Updating the Blog

I have been so busy these past 2 months that I haven't been conscientious about my blog. I have participated in a figure painting exhibit, have organized a group show, and have been working on another group show. I still have my solo show up at Edward Heart Hospital in Naperville, on the 3rd floor. I attend a figure drawing/painting workshop most Tuesday evenings, and am keeping up with my painting, as well.

I've been doing quite a bit of experimentation lately. I have been using Masonite panels, coating them heavily with acrylic gesso, and then "painting" with modeling paste. This creates an interestingly textured surface, on to which I pour, brush, scrape, and fingerpaint in acrylic. I'm getting some really interesting results, which I will be photographing and posting in the near future.

In the meantime, I am adding to my teaching schedule, so if you are interested in a class in oil painting, pastel painting, or drawing, contact me for info on how and where to sign up.

The Southwest

I haven't posted in quite a while, because I've been away, touring the Southwest. The desert, with it's red rock mountains, spectacular cactus, and wide open spaces, is amazing. I'm back in my studio now, and can't wait to start producing a new series.

Here's just one photo I took of the Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale. I have tons more, and will be using them for reference for my new paintings. Any special requests for desert scenes in either oils or pastels will be welcome.