Stuyvesant Square NYC

I did this plein air painting a couple of years ago. I'm missing painting outdoors this season (bronchitis!) but I remember clearly the day I stood before the generous trees in Stuyvesant Square and tried to replicate their fall color.

Doorway to Canal

Gowanus Buildings flanking the canal... a second piece I painted alongside our 'plein air on the canal' group last Saturday. Zooming in like I did here makes this feel more abstract...

Urban Gowanus

Super fun day yesterday.... painting Plein Air along the Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn. The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (hosting this event: info@Gowanuscanalconserancy.org.) is doing many interesting things to keep Gowanus Canal evolving and healthy. I painted a couple pieces and made some new friends. Enjoyed every moment of the gorgeous, sunny day.....

Leonora's View

I've been doing a few 'house portrait' commissions over the summer and today I did another one. My neighbor commissioned me to paint a view of her friends top floor apartment—as a birthday gift. I love this stately old brownstone which faces Prospect Park. The pop of turquoise-blue in the architectural detail made this piece sparkle. I'm looking to do more house portraits! My website has more samples: www.janetpedersenartstudio.com

Wednesday's Model 5

I recently bought a tube of 'Vleesoker' (flesh ochre?) Old Holland oil paint at Dick Blick. Very expensive, but great for flesh tones. I used it liberally tonight on Wednesday's model. (That's why I'm pricing this one a slight bit higher than usual.... (smile)

Prospect Park West

This small study happened on the corner of Prospect Park West and 5th St.   I liked the corner angle, and the bright green foliage of the young tree in front. If I'd stood back further, I'd've gotten people, many people passing by.... but that'll be another painting.

2nd St. Henderson KY

Trying out something new as I explore the landscape. Etching into gesso, then working oil in. Keeping it loose, open and arid is what I was after on this image, lifted from Google map. (I've always been interested in visiting Kentucky! For now, virtually....

The old block

These turreted houses stood across the street from the home I rented a room in when I first moved to Brooklyn some 20 years ago. Early this morning I stood and painted this scene, and not long after I finished a woman passed by to see what I'd painted. I said "I used to live on this block...." and so it happened that we figured out her home was the same I'd lived in! She graciously took me through her home, I visited my old space... stepped back into my past....3rd floor, facing back... How much younger I was, pre-marriage, pre-kid.... a lifetime ago.

Saturday's Model 9

I wish I'd had more time to finesse this piece a bit more. Loved blocking in shapes, laying in the violet shadows... layering on the bright warm skin tones. All the while the wonderful model read from her book. Never did find out the title!

Wednesday's Model 4

I'm not sure the color in this piece has any rhyme or reason to it.... I wanted to add much more color, but the model's peaceful, pensive pose kept me going back to a softer palette... at least everywhere else but her face and her hands.

Cabaret

Last weeks New Yorker had a photo of Michelle Williams made up as Sally Bowles in most recent production of "Cabaret" (Roundabout Theater Co).... I've been wanting to do portraits and skin and eyes and close-ups... This was a fun one. Not only was I painting a face, but I was painting on 'her' face. I think I did her eyeliner pretty well..... (!)

Sunlit Flowers

This bouquet of wild flowers caught my eye one early morning when I was visiting my folks on Orcas Island. It was the first thing I saw when I woke up. I grabbed my paints and made a quick painting before the sun changed too much... before my coffee even!

Wednesday's Model

Wednesday's Model 3

Good night tonight. Regal model, fun people and wine! Everyone did a great sketch/painting.

Wednesday's Model 2

Wed's model....again!

Wednesday's Model

Wed's model looks (from this painting) a little like that actress from Downton Abbey.

Saturday's Model 8

I've been painting w/ an angled brush lately, and really love it. A #6 angled Robert Simmons brush. You can 'cut' into forms with much more precision and articulate an edge or line. As in today's model.. I could've botched the edge of her face w/ another kind of brush... not so w/ this really cool new brush! Sometimes the right tool, just like the right mood, can make the painting process so much easier.

Saturday's Model 7

Slightly different composition from yesterday's upload. More playful color though!

Saturday's Model 6

The flu kept me away from Sat's sessions. Fun to get back. It's a good gathering of artists who dedicate themselves to the better part of the afternoon inside. But who wouldn't want to be inside when it was bitterly cold outside?! Today's model was great. Long and lanky w/ long hair.

Saturday's Model 4

Another terrific model on Saturday. For anyone who lives in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, Saturday life-drawing sessions are a great way to an afternoon. Brooklyn Art Space. From 12-3, 15 bucks, free coffee.... and nice people! O.K. Back to the game where the Seahawks are in the lead...

Saturday's Model 2

Today's session was mostly about describing the figure through color. This bears no likeness to the beautiful model. At all. But that's o.k....I think. I had fun 'popping' the color.

Saturday's model

I'm wanting to paint the figure these days, and what better place to begin but painting from a live model.... How much I learned on this day. Always thankful for a good model who can stand to sit for so long in the buff, under the hot lights, for us painters!