showing the RELATIONSHIPS in your paintings...

As the day's heat up here in SW FL many of the plein air outings... literally move out of here, so to speak.  In the spirit of Mother's Day, and Father's Day not far behind... thought would share a few of my portraits that have done over the years showing relationships... Here are just a few:
A New Leaf, Dedication, Four For Tea, Got JOY, Face To Face- One To Ninety Four, Momma's Heartbeat, A True Story, Breath Of Life, Daddy's Breath, The Lesson, Megan And Audrey, Summer Patience, Gottcha, ..., Thank Heaven For Little Girls, Reflections, Exploring The In An Outs Together....

a new leaf

Four For Tee

dedication

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I share all of these, with an emphasis on TWO things... Relationships... and what our job as an Artist is... to control the viewers eye... And with these portraits, in doing so, hope to also depict more than just an accurate depiction of the color of their hair or eyes....

Momma's Heart Beat

 We are talking about Relationship here... and what is trying to be said in that.  Move down to the painting... "Summer Patience" and "Gottcha"....

 

 

Summer Patience

Gotcha

 these two paintings here, use the EXACT same reference to tell a completely different story....  THIS illustrates your ability as the artist in telling the story of the people you are painting before you.  WHAT is the focus.  Sure, a portrait is a portrait.... sometimes that is all that is needed.... a straight on portrait painting.  These are not meant to be those, these are the relationship portrait paintings that have done over the years.... Its about the relationship in them... The two above, I often use as an example in composition for my beginner painting or even drawing classes.  One reason, they are paintings that 'i' still own, because they are of my own children.  The drawing, originally done as a same size study drawing for the painting...  shows a completely different emphasis and focus to the exact same subjects.  In the drawing titled 'Gotcha' you see the third subject in the shadow... and the front subject highlighted.  Done so for the literal need to study those hands and feet before painting them, but also for the fun of the contrast and a main subject NOT looking at you.  Notice the hand... and the face looking at that hand.  it looks like they are interacting in play a bit... with a 'gotcha' pinch.  Now look at the painting, the painting was titled 'Summer Patience'  And that was what this truly was a painting of.  Patience.... of getting three little ones four and under, to sit still in their baptism(dedication seersucker white outfits that i sewed for them too) to sit still long enough to paint them from this most memorable keepsake moment.  When you see the final painting... if not told, you may not notice the subtle story within the story going on here.  Its not a gottcha actually at all.  Its a 'Stay put little brother' finger hold.  In the drawing the back figure in shadow, in now highlighted and really where the eye is led too. Now you can notice the funny little expression on his face...  That expression came from me making him remove his pacifier from his mouth... that you now may notice he is holding in his left hand.  From that you may now see the little one up front is staring directly at that pacifier, now closer to his reach... and to keep the ten month old from diving onto that hand... big sister helps out by holding him in place.  Summer Patience plays on, pretty much with these three still in these roles presented here today.  That little guy holding the pacifier is getting married on June 2nd.  Big sister still sneaks in a little direction to her brothers, particularly her youngest one, who to this day remains a wonderful front and center, but often distracted by the goings on, and doing multi tasks.  That Groom to be pictured here, stays true to that character too....  always willingly doing what needs to be done, preferably in 'his' good time.

Its fun reminicing... as mother day has just past... and Fathers day is soon to come.  Its also fun remembering that when we paint a relationship portrait... many many many times its so much more than the figures before us that we are looking to share/illustrate.  The lesson of summer patience was inspired by a favorite painting of mine done by John Singer Sargent "The Daughters Of Edward Darley Boit" which has often been noted as "Arguably the most psychologically compelling painting of Sargent's career"  In it relationship of childhood is illustrated in the portrait of the four daughters. We can all take a lesson from the master work of John Singer Sargent, that often when we paint a portrait... the relationship is as much a factor as the models themselves.

That the goal in these relationship paintings from the past of what is being reflected from them... Well I hope.  These last two here: "Reflections" and "Exploring The Ins And Outs Together" show two completely different ways of doing that with figures in your painting.  One the figures are completely in a silhouette, the other, they are in an equal detail with the landscape...  Both paintings use the surroundings as much as a part to tell the story as the figures do though...  Another lesson taken from John Singer Sargent.  Well, as the  MOG i have much to do in these next couple of weeks.  Will not be a LOT of Plein Air Painting... but am working diligently on the most significant relationship painting that have ever painted.  Hope to be able to unveil it the 10th of June.  Will be sharing more about that after the Wedding.    May it be an UP day for you all!  In EVERY WAY.  K

an Excercise in Extremes...

Azalea Way - Oil on Linen - K. Hitt - copyrighted

Had the luxury of getting to plein air at the same location last Saturday and Monday with VPA.  Saturday worked on a 16x20... and Monday went for the opposite extreme of a 4x6 inch panel.  Painted the same subject, in a little different location down the drive.  What the exercise showed me is that I need to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE S_ _ _ _ _.  To practice what I teach would be good too!  Here is the latter from the exercise the 4x6 which shall name Azalea Way, Oil on Linen:

The First painting from Saturday... because had the nice big canvas, think tried to put it ALL in. Though I like the contrast, and feel of the painting overall, do feel that the 4x6 ended up a bit more of a successful painting as I look as these two side by side in this exercise. In the larger piece, I got away from my thumbnail... which if I would have stuck to it, I would have not only remembered WHY I began the painting but applied that to the large format too.  I allowed myself to get lost in the fun detail and play of complementary colors... and lost the impact that the thumbnail had.  The small painting, the impact was not lost, because the impact, in a way is all that fit into the tiny 4x6 format.  So the exercise in plein air this past week was a good one... and reminded me of what I know to do... and still need to apply.  No matter how many times I paint, the old standards go along with it.  Composition, Shapes, and Values...  its not really about the detail at all. 

Gail's Trails - Plein Air Oil- K. Hitt.- Copyrighted

Have four workshops in the next three weeks at three different locations if you would like to join me and apply some painting exercises to your art work too.
See instruction page for more information or email me at: orighitt@gmail.com

May it be an UP day!  Paint away!  K 

a few of the other spots...

Had a fun day in the wind Plein Air Yesterday.  Lots of cover in the shade of the trees....
Just a few pictures to share the beauty of the spot... that get to enJOY again in Monday with VPA www.venicepleinair.blogspot.com

 

...at VPA Sat. and again Mon

Speckled With Early Spring - Plein Air Oil in the Works - K. Hitt

THANKS for all the SOLD

plein air Oil by K. Hitt  copyright.... all rights reserved

SOLD.... thank you all for supporting me at the one weekend show that I do a year.
 I am so honored by all of your support and hello's.  It means more than words can say to those of you that went out of your way to say 'hi' at my booth this weekend.

It was a good show, actually sold more originals than giclee's.  Nice to see collectors appreciating taking home a piece of the 'artist's' hand for their collections.  All of you are appreciated in every way, those that came for a hi, found a token for their loved ones, giclee's,  all if it.  those of you that also shared you were their in spirit though you couldn't get there. Every bit encourages.... and just want you to know that I appreciate ALL OF YOU!

Its all great.

Have a 3 workshops coming up.  NEWEST ONE is a Pastel one day workshop at NPAC March 14th
so new its not even posted at their website yet.  Watch for it at NPAC Workshops the April and May class is listed.  Just not the March 14th one, it will be the same time and place though.


Have two 3 DAY workshops coming up in two other locations too:  Venice Art Center and the Boca Grande Art Alliance.  Check out my Instruction page for more info on these 'Start To Finish' classes.Instruction with Karen Hitt


Last but not least... another One Day Workshop is coming up at the Venice Art Center too...
"Painting Children From Photographs" on March 29th.  Info on that same spot: Instruction with Karen Hitt 

"Emma" Acrylic Commission- K. Hitt. Copyrighted all rights 

THIS IS IT FOR THIS YEAR!

Click on image to enlarge

I will also be offering at this weekend show only... a discount on any Private Instruction Lessons, that is booked with a date and deposit, plus on any commissioned work that is booked with a deposit!


Like I shared ...only do this once a year ...and this is it. Sure hope you come by and say hi at booth #7


May it be an UP day!  K

START...To Finish...

Thumbnail Cover Design

To Scale Layout Sketch

Start to Finish?  "Where do I begin, start?" Is often a question heard from students.  Or...... as we really WORK IT the details and composition.... sometimes the why we 'started' the painting gets blanketed over with overworking.

Start   To   Finish.  Easier said than done.  That is why its a workshop have been teaching for years.  Most recently it has been formatted into a 3 day workshop, with the idea of truly taking inspiration from its start, to a finished work of art. Where do we Start.... a scene, a theme, a child's precious smile... a heirloom keepsake, a illustration... WHAT are you hoping to 'say'.

This an example of an 'illustration' literally.  A Big Bad Rain Monster?  What does that look like.... for a children's picture book.  I remember being told when illustrating... the words should connect a word picture in 5 seconds.

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Do you need that same impact with your drawing or painting?
What inspired you to make that sketch?  What inspired that sketch into a painting? Sometimes it truly is just the desire to 'render'... to perfect a fabrics drape, a hips angle, a eyes twinkle, a hands embrace....

Sometimes the start is simply a color theory exercise, or the particular hours effects of light on a beloved subject.  Even a sketch in your sketch book, will reflect 'good draftsmanship'

Confess, this week, after being sicker than have been in years for the last two plus weeks, have not picked up a brush in over two weeks.... 'Where to start?' overwhelms in an explosion of ideas and WANT TO DO'S that haven't had the chance to do.  Deadlines, inspirations, entries.... etc. etc.  There is SO MUCH that I long to do!  To just do anything, will be a fabulous start!  A doodle, a sketch, a painting?

You may enjoy seeing what the first thumbnail here turned into...
Just received the proof today in the mail.  The author should be receiving hers any day now too, and then, It will be ready for purchase.  Will keep you posted on that.  SHOULD have copies with me at the Venice Art Center Fine Art Show and Sale the weekend of Feb. 25-26. 2012 booth number 7.  THIS is the one and only show of this type that I do each year.  Special prices for that weekend only. Signed copies of latest children's book too.  Hope to see you there.
THIS MONDAY a 3 day START TO FINISH workshop begins at the Venice Art Center too!

Few in Group Start To Finish

Start To Finish 3 day workshops:
  Start To Finish (All Medium) at the Venice Art Center

 #614B 1/30, 31 & 2/2/2012
#614C 3/26, 27, 28/2012 - 
10am-4pm –  Designed to take the essential foundation of strong drawing skills, composition, value, capturing light, color theory and expression to a finished work of art. ALL of these will be explored in depth, to take your creative ideas from start to finish. …ALL mediums are welcomed… 

AND AT THE BOCA GRANDE ART ALLIANCE TOO

 Start To Finish
ALL mediums welcomed (3 Day workshop)
March 19,20,21, 2012 - 10am - 3:30pm Mon, Tu, Weds.

plus a 

Painting FUNdamentals Workshop

Feb.15,16,17, 2012  -10am-3:30pm thurs, break at 1:30 for meeting at the Alliance

 Please note that ALL mediums equals, Oil, Acrylics, Pastels, Pencil... your medium of choice, NOT meant as a multi-medium class.

 

Waiting for the Sky...

waiting for the sky...

mid/late afternoon setting up...

Am getting ready for the Jan. 17th Opening of Venice Plein Air opening.  For more info on that visit VPA blog.  Ever since New Years Eve beautiful sunset, have been wanting to get back to PAINT en Plein Air the view.  Sometimes photographs just can NOT capture the true colors in the scene.  The sky in this view... was just one of those.  Needed to revisit the site to capture the dunes and trees too.  Many details end up just in a silhouette when photographed with most cameras, especially a camera phone. Only sharing a few of the photos from the sunrise to sunset work day here... A day that doesn not get any better than this though.  BEAUTIFUL.  The PAINTING will be shared (I hope) at the opening!  Going to use the field study to make a larger studio piece from... until then... here are a few photos from the middle of the day on...  A COLD is kick'in my butt today. Still plan to plein air with VPA monday though, at least say 'hi' to any and all there(Update
-Cold kicked my butt, checked-in, then home back to bed)

couple of composition ideas before final thumbnail

 CAN'T Wait to share the finish PAINTINGS with you.... again see links here to VPA Exhibit, Local and Nationally Acclaimed Artist are ALL taking  a part of the exhibit. Many names you will recognize and many you will be glad that you met.  We are graciously be sponsored by the Venice Art Center, hosted At The Art Gallery of Jacaranda Trace In the Cadbury Commons Club 3600 William Penn Way, Venice, FL 34293
last picture sharing from the day, a very exciting close with 'left overs' and nice hot TEA... trying to keep this cold at bay.  May it be an UP DAY!  K