Two More Paintings on Values and Secondary Colors

Here's my third oil painting called 'Secondary Colors'.  This represents the purple, green, and orange colors that are created by mixing the primary colors (red, yellow, blue).  I then mixed the purple, green, and orange colors to create the background colors.  I also used white to create the lighter colors.  I have to wait a few days for this painting to dry before I can finish it.

'Secondary Colors' painted on a canvas panel

My second painting represents another take on values, but in the color blue.  I used Ultramarine blue and white to create the values.  Before I can finish this painting, I have to wait a few more days for the paint to dry.  

'Values 2' painted on canvas paper

I'm trying to figure out if I should paint the back ground first and let it throughly dry and then paint the objects.  Currently, I'm painting the objects first and then painting the background.  This method makes it harder to paint in between the objects.

As for photography, I didn't realize how hard it is to take pictures of oil paintings.  I have to use my external flash to capture the details, but at the same time I get a lot of shiny spots from the painting.

My New Hobby...Oil Painting

I've been interested in drawing/sketching since Jr High when I took the required art class, but I never pursued a career in the arts.  Let alone an education in that field.  In 2000, I picked up watercolor painting.  I took a local class that got me off to the wrong start.  One, my paintings were miserable looking and two, my instructor wasn't that good.  That was a short lived hobby.  In 2002, I decided to get back into watercolors and took an 8 week course at an Old Town shop.  I studied with a wonderful lady, Karyn, who painted beautiful and lively scenes.  I wanted to paint like her.  My painting skills improved immensely as she introduced me to artist/professional paints and brushes.  That made a huge difference.  I continued painting for another year or so.

Since then, I have taken on additional hobbies like sewing and knitting garments and accessories.  I really enjoyed spending time in my fiber arts.  My short lived painting experiences helped me see a gamut of colors, hues and textures.

Now, I've taken up oil painting.  I looked around for classes, but decided to learn this new hobby on my own.  The money I would have spent for the lessons, was instead used for my new supplies (paints, palette, and brushes).

My first oil painting called 'Values'

After playing around with the oils, I can honestly say that I enjoy it more than watercolors.  I did a wet-on-wet or single layer technique and it only took two hours to complete this painting.  

My painting area.  One of my watercolor paintings is hanging on the wall (upper right)

I got the hang of holding the palette in my hand and didn't feel any fatigue.  It felt natural.  I also managed to hold additional brushes and a paper towel in the same hand.  I do need to get a larger palette once I start painting with additional colors and do more mixing.  

I love my clear acrylic palette

I found this inexpensive table top easel on the Internet.  The easel itself is adjustable to different angles.    It can also hold large size canvases.  For this painting, I used Canvas Paper and taped it to a board.  This is a cheap alternative to canvas.  Once I progress further along...I have canvases waiting for action.

My portable table top easel with a storage drawer

I am using water miscible oils called Artisan from Winsor and Newton.  It supposedly feels like the real oil paints, but I can use soap and water to clean up my tools.  I decided to go this route as I didn't want to deal with irritants and vapors in the house.

Photography is stil my number one hobby.  As you can see, I still end up taking pictures of my other hobbies.

Vint Hill Craft Winery - Vint Hill, VA

A fellow knitter had posted on Facebook about a winery she had visited a few weeks ago.  Today I ventured out to Vint Hill Craft Winery.  I had heard about this cool winery where they let you be a winemaker:  select the grapes from Washington, California, and Virginia, help crush, ferment, rack, bottle, and label your own wine.  How cool is that?!  You can also create a custom label for your own bottles.

Isn't this cool?  I found this in the ladies' room

Production machine

This machine puts the cork in the bottles

Unfortunately, these are empty

Bordeaux grapes fermenting and waiting for another press

Vint Hill pictures in the tasting room

The tasting room in the background.  The floor has been removed and you can see the production area below

A beautiful and relaxing wine tasting lounge

Part of the production area

Great signage...tells it all

More pictures of the history of Vint Hill

Another set of pictures on the history of Vint Hill

The final products waiting for wine tasting

Sampling some wines

I had a wonderful time here.  If you get a chance to visit, stop in and say hello to Martha.

Martha:  thank you for the tour of the winery (the history of the barn and the tour of the production area).

Website:  Vint Hill Craft Winery

La Grange Winery in Haymarket

Late this afternoon, my hubby and I headed out to La Grange Winery in Haymarket, VA.  This was his first time visiting a local winery in VA.  Years ago, we had the opportunity to visit Napa and a few wineries including Kendall Jackson.

I really enjoy taking pictures here.  We arrived late and I missed the late afternoon sun, but I still took advantage of any available light.

On the lawn at La Grange

Checking out the vineyards

Scary balloons to keep out intruders

Grapes still on the vines

Barrels of wine stored in this small warehouse

Several barrels sounded like they were percolating.  I'm going to Google this device to see what it's used for

The main house at La Grange

The warehouse...it's a pretty place

Here's two pictures taken earlier this year using my D5000:

The award winning wines (D5000)

My brother and I took part in the red wine tasting...it was fabulous!  A bottle of Meritage came home with me (D5000)

Website: 
La Grange Winery

A Baptism, Baby Dedication, and Renewal of Vows

I had a busy day today.  I spent several hours at my church taking over 300 pictures.  I tried to avoid using the flash inside the sanctuary.  I ended up switching between my 18-200mm and my reliable 50mm lens.

Can you tell?  I just love taking pictures of flowers.