Still Life of Alabaster Vases against Egyptian Background

"Out of Egypt"
Oil on Panel
13" x 19"

Finished. Spent this morning tidying up. I concluded the salt cellar lid and glazed shadows to neutralize some of the blue. I did this to the background as well though it may shop up that way in the photo. I toyed with the cast shadow on the wall and lightened it by scumbling a bit but didn't change it by much. Highlights on the small vase in the background brought it to a finish. It will be on display at Gallery-9 this Saturday. Come take a gander.

Still Life of Alabaster Vases with Egyptian Background

"Out of Egypt" - On the Easel

This summer has kept me pretty busy with travel, home improvements and sick cats. The latter have kept me hopping with medications and special feedings. I'm happy to report I'm back at the easel - in between taking sunshine breaks.

On a recent trip to Ellensburg, WA, I picked up three Alabaster vases that I fell in love with. After prepping the background, I set them up together with a salt cellar I've painted many times and proceeded to work. Here's a step by step on what I've done so far:

Day One: 
Now on the easel. I recently purchased several marble vases. I’ve painted objects like these many times and enjoy the challenge of the swirling colors and the translucence of the marble. 

This time however, instead of a plain background I was inspired by some Egyptian imagery and decided to try something new. The background is archival paper mounted and sealed on a cradled panel. The shapes of the vases were transferred from a drawing and painted with gesso to allow for a more translucent effect once they are painted. 

As you can see, the foot of the largest vase and the tile on which it sits have been given a first pass. Yum! I’m having fun and the paint is so delicious I could eat it! More later as the painting progresses.

Day Two:

(My apologies - this photo was deleted from my files prematurely)

I’ve matched the background and continue to lay in the large Onyx vase. This takes careful observation and, as always, this close looking, examining and considering brings on a meditative state. The swirl of color, the translucence of the stone and the rosy color of the light are hypnotizing. I know some of the values will need to be adjusted. Even the north light from my window shifts as the day progresses. Tomorrow is another day.

Day Three:

The first pass on the large vase is completed. I can see that there are still more value adjustments to make. The light at this hour in the studio is quite magical but eludes me. The vase in the front will also need adjustment. I’m pushing the background towards green. The cool offsets the warms in the vases and pushes them forward. Still much to do.

Day Four:

I took some time off on Saturday to enjoy the beautiful weather. But kept visiting the painting like a sick patient. Today I took to it again. The vase was off kilter so I took out my plumb line and redrew the thing. It sits better now. No longer drunk. I adjusted and conserved values on the vase in order to have highlights show up. Warmed some of the glow with a glaze of coral. The small vase in the foreground also needed adjustment and it too was off center. I needed to make a decision in favor of losing an edge or letting it show. I decided in favor of a slight contrast in value because the asymmetrical design of color created the illusion of it again being out of balance. Same for the smaller vase. I finished the day by laying in the smallest vase in the background. It will need a second pass perhaps tomorrow. I softened edges and toyed with the background and table top before closing. The horizon line needs fixing. The salt cellar and I are old friends. It will go easy and I anticipate being done either tomorrow or Monday. I am, though, considering adding another element. Something living?