PAINTING PROGRESSION: Bloom

Here's another painting progression in photos-- Bloom.

My aim was to pump up the color vibrancy even more than usual on this piece to create a magical realism feel. Inspired by memories of being a very small girl standing among the tall stands of sunflowers & delphiniums in the family garden.

"Bloom" diptych, 40x40 inches, acrylic on canvas. ©2013 Kristina Wentzell

a HALLOWEEN painting progression: the scream

I decided to follow up last year's Girl with a Pearl Earring costume with Munch's the Scream. Of course, this requires the user to have their face perpetually forced into full-on-open-mouth screaming posture--but it's all in the name of Halloween. Right?

Read on below for how to make this a two person costume and some other amazing art-themed Halloween ideas.

Start by finding a large size picture frame--large enough to cover your head and upper body (not too big though--you'll have to carry it around all night). Cut a piece of cardboard or heavy poster board to fit. Paint or gesso it white.

 

Using the Munch's the Scream as reference, draw in the basic composition.

paint in the sky

 

the dark outlines

Carefully cut out the face shape with an x-acto knife. Attach inside frame.

viola---(thanks to dear husband for modeling)

And for a two person costume---I present the Art Heist:

Check out this amazing rendition of Klimt's "the kiss" and a Roy Lichtenstein painting come to life (with tutorial).

PAINTING PROGRESSION: lupine meadow--a painting in one minute

I mixed things up a bit this week and created a short video of "lupine meadow" coming to life.

A painting in one minute.

To see more like this, click on "progressions" on the right sidebar under labels.

available for purchase here

PAINTING PROGRESSION: happy camper at the height of land

This next painting progression has two of my favorites in it--the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery and the Height of Land. Located in Maine on Route 17 between Rumford and Oquossoc--the Height of Land offers incomparable views of the lakes and mountains of western Maine. I've stopped here every year since I was a child on my way to visit my family in Rangeley.

The snappy green car pulling the Happy Camper is wishful thinking--I actually pull it with a silver minivan.

happy camper at the height of land, oil on canvas, 24x30 inches. ©2013 Kristina Wentzell

PAINTING PROGRESSIONS: poppy profusion

Poppies! That riot of warm reds and oranges that makes everyone smile. 

This is a more stylized version of poppies than my other paintings. I really enjoy playing with the negative shapes that the stems, pods, and blossoms make as the weave together in one piece.

I start with a charcoal drawing on the painted canvas so I can rework the composition until I get it just right. Next step is to paint in the lines with a dark color--my favorite is a mixture of ultramarine and cadmium orange.

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PAINTING PROGRESSION: blue ridge

Continuing with my series of progression demonstrations...I present "blue ridge"

Inspired by my hike along the Appalachian Trail with my sweetie, I wanted to this piece to be very simple in composition as I tried to capture the cool and serene landscape of those southern mountains that seem to go on forever in an endless sea of blue.

blue ridge, oil on canvas, 12x36 inches.  ©2013Kristina Wentzell

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