"A good match" 8"x6" oil on canvas, with Demo

Available for $100, contact me.

I chose the dominos on this one because of the color and graphics.  I have a demo of this below.

Demo

Some of you have been asking about my view finder and process.   This is process has evolved from when I started and I was just simply observing and sketching, to what I now do using my view finder.   Some of you might find it helpful, some will find it too much information, some of you will want to delete it and the rest will think I'm off my rocker and should be in the loony bin.  But here goes..

This is my view finder for my square pieces.  I use it for my 6"x6" and it can be used for any square format.  The inside square is smaller than 6x6 it is actually 4.5"x4.5".   I Threaded heavy black button thread through little holes I made on the 1/3 increments.   Taped it off on the back with clear packing tape to reinforce it.  I like this method because there is not clear plastic to distort the image or get dirty.

This is my view finder for my 5"x7" and 6"x8" pieces.    Here again the opening is smaller, it is 5.25"x3.75".  It is constructed in the same way but I now have divided it into 4th on the long side and 3rds on the short side.

This is original view finder before I made the ones above.  You notice that the strings are not there I just relied on the markings on the side and the opening is actually 5"x7".   I quickly found that this was just too big and I could not get the tight close cropping I wanted.   By making the opening smaller worked better for me.   A lot of people use those small grey adjustable view finders which are very useful and are great for travel.

Here is my 6"x8" canvas, it is actually an Ampersand Gessobord that I have glued canvas on and painted Golden Acrylic N6 Neutral Gray for an under painting. (I don't always put the grey on when I do portraits.)    I used to just put the paint marks on the edges (as shown)  but now I put a light pencil line across.  I fine it more accurate.    Today I did both just for this demo.

You can see the two extra marks I have put in place, these are my line up marks for this painting.   When I looked through my view finder at the set up I liked it when the lower edge of the cup rim lined up with the 1/3  down - 1/4 over mark.   I also noticed that the handle of the cup lined up with the 1/3 down - 1/2 over mark.   These are going to be my key points that I look for when lining up the view finder every time I look through it while blocking it in.   After I block it all in (5-10 minutes) I put the view finder down and don't look in it again.

I always start with the place that have the key line up marks.   This time it is the cup.

Then I start branching out and put in marks for the saucer.

I don't know why I put in this picture it seems redundant now!  But here it is.  You will have to excuse the way these pictures look.  They have a fish eye look about them because I was too close and lazy to get out the tripod and set it up behind me so I could zoom in.   Oh Well, now you know I'm lazy.

Using the grid I blocked in the dominos and shadows

I blocked in the hearts because the white color is more sensitive.  (If I were to do the red first it would turn to pink on the edges when I put in the white.)    I blocked in the shadow hearts in the shadow color of white. (some form of blue/purple since the light source is yellow)

Thank goodness the blocking is now done!   Now I get to the painting portion.   Here again I started with the cup because I wanted to establish the yellow white of the cup and shadows.

Blocked in the shadow white.

Painted in the white hearts and started painting the red shadow area.

Painted the light red.   You will notice that I have been painting the "first stroke is the last stroke" method.   In other words when I figure out the color value of each area and stroke, I lay it in that color value so I won't have to go back in and "fix" or adjust it later.   Not to say that I don't do this at times, in fact you will see that I did this a little in the end on this painting.   But for the most part I paint these daily paintings "first is last".

This is the final signed painting.   I painted in the dominos and made some subtle changes in the saucer and cup shadows.    Another 2 hours of my day, I got a painting done and listened to 2 more hours of my  audio book.  (Currently listening to "Dark Angels" novel by Karleen Koen.)

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"Jessica in red" 6"x8" oil on canvas

I tried today to keep the cool side of the face cool and dark enough.   Jessica is such a good model, holds the pose and has such a good attitude.    We had fun today, laughed a lot.   

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"Mix it up" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Available for $100, contact me.

This was my mother's G.E. mixer from the 50"s and I still use it today when needed.   I chose this view because of the wonderful green on the inside of the bowl and the reflections and shadows cast by the beaters.   I also did a demo of this painting.  See below.   

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"mix it up" Demo

I thought I'd show a demo of doing today's painting because as many of you know I'm always changing and "mixing up" the way I do things.   Always trying to improve what I do, trying to make it better, not always succeeding.  Here is what I've been doing of late.

#1.  I put a layer of #6 grey acrylic on my canvas, over top of the gesso.  This fills in the texture of the canvas and gives me a middle tone to work values on.   Then I lightly pencil in a grid of 2" squares .    This grid coresponds to the view finder that I use.   I make one out of black cardboard and put a heavy black quilting thread on the thirds.   I move the view finder around to block out all the unnecessary noise around the area.   I try to see it as a finished painting.   When satisfied with the composition I quickly sketch in the objects.   This takes about 5-10 minutes depending on the complexity of the layout.

#2.  I start blocking some light values to show form and contrast and some middle tones.  The sensitive colors and/or sometimes the colors that set the mood of the painting.   I mean really, lets get to the excitement!

#3.  On this painting, the bowl had a definite black edge and made such a strong graphic shape in the painting that I wanted to block it in to get the shapes going.  

#4.  I decided to paint in the green and the grey beaters because they are the focus of the piece.  At this point I feel that I'm almost done!  What an illusion!

#5.  Here you see that I've painted in the mixer middle color values and started painting in the background because the colors that are next to one another affect one another.   As many of you know from your color theory studies.

#6.  After covering the canvas I go back and tweak the color values where needed and add a few highlights.

#7.  When I feel that I'm through I sign the painting and then I'm really done.   Except wait!   I left off the highlights on the beaters.  (you will see where I put them in the actual painting that I posted)  Whew!  There is 2 hours out of my day.

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"Spiderwick Adventures" 3 sizes of giclee prints available

This is a revision of pricing.   When talking to my photographer/printer the other week, I either misheard or he misquoted the price.    Anyway the prices are less than I originally quoted.

"Spiderwick Adventures"  Giclee prints are available, here are the sizes:    

(11"x14" -  $60),  (16"x20" -  $90), (original size, 22.5"x30" -  $150). 

I did this drawing for and invitational show at the Carnegie Center, New Albany Indiana in January 2008.   The family in the picture live down the street from me and the dog is my Shih Tzu, Whirly Girl.    When the family came over to pose Whirly Girl jumped right up and got comfortable.  She loved it!   The original drawing was accepted in the Water Tower Regional Art Show and I won a Merit Award for it today at the opening.   The original charcoal drawing is 22.5"x30" and is available for $3600.

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"Bull Terrier" 12"x 12" oil on museum wrap stretch canvas

Available for $275, contact me.

This is an oil painting on a museum wrapped stretched canvas and is painted on the sides as well.  Ready for hanging.    I know these dogs have a bad rap but I find them friendly and clownish.   Very curious, just like other terriers.   I wouldn't want to provoke one.   While working on this painting the sheen of the wet paint was getting in the way of see the color.   I couldn't see if it was white or blending with the grey too much.   When this happens, and it often does when working wet into wet, I get out a soft, flat sable brush and lightly, oh so very lightly like a feather, smooth out the brush strokes.   This takes away the raised up lines that the brush makes so that the light hits the canvas more evenly.  I can see then what color I really have.   I don't like to do this much because I like seeing the paint stroke, but today I was trying to paint it as my daily and needed to get it done.   So here it is.

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"Great Dane, blue" 12"x12" oil on museum wrap canvas

Available for $275, contact me.

Started this painting last year and set it aside, so today I thought I would finish it.   I'm feeling under the weather today and did not feel like starting a new painting.   I will decide tomorrow if I'm having class on Monday.  Think I'll put my feet up and knit.  

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"The red sweater" 8"x10" oil on canvas

I've noticed that the pictures I post don't show the detail in the brushstrokes or slight changes of color like the original painting does.   Our model showed up today on this very cold 20° F morning with her winter hat and layers of clothing.  These Friday model sessions are really helping me to get more for less.   I get more color, more untouched brushstrokes and the essence of the pose with less time.   I used to paint the  model in two sessions, now I try to get it in one and move on.

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"Brittany Spaniel" 8"x8" oil on wood panel

Available for $160, contact me.

I'm gearing up for the Kentuckana Cluster Dog Show here in Louisville Kentucky, March 17-21, so I will be working on a few new pieces to add to my collection of pet portraits.   You can see more of my pet portraits on my website (listed below).   This is the painting I've been working on today.   It still needs a few more touch-ups but mostly it is done.   I took this photograph of this puppy last year at the Cluster Show, he was such a sweet dog.   This painting is on a 3/8" wood panel.

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"Peony" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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These vases are large, so I had to step back from the set up to get a good cropping.  Wanted to keep this one loose so I used large brushes.  I have been using Silver Bristlon, brights lately, sizes 2 through 10.  They do tend to take paint off as much as put it on.   Regular bristle brushes lay the paint on better but it hard to get a nice sharp edge.  I go back and forth.    I like using brights and sometimes flats because you can work wide or make a thin line.  Very rarely do I use a filbert or round.

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"Parrot Lamp" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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Some friends came over today and admired my lamp, so I thought I'd make it my daily.  Funny how I don't consider looking into other rooms for victims to paint.  Got it photographed just before the light went.  Ten more minutes and I could not have gotten it done.  Unfortunately the dark does not photograph well in any light until it is varnished.   I felt it had to have the dark background in order to have the light glow.

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"The Odd Couple" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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They were indeed an odd couple.  He was short, wide and had one leg because of a fishing accident.   She was tall with broad shoulders, always wore bright red and attracted much attention.  They were both strong and appreciated each other's attributes and comfortable with each other's silences.

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"Spiderwick Adventures" 11"x14" giclee print from an original charcoal drawing

Click here to purchase a print.  $125

I did this drawing for and invitational show at the Carnegie Center, New Albany Indiana in January 2008.   The family in the picture live down the street from me and the dog is my Shih Tzu, Whirly Girl.    When the family came over to pose Whirly Girl jumped right up and got comfortable.  She loved it!   The original drawing was accepted in the Water Tower Regional Art Show and I won a Merit Award for it today at the opening.   The original charcoal drawing is 22.5"x30" and is available for $3600.My blog: http://claudiahammer.blogspot.com
My website: http://claudiahammer.com
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My email: iclaudiahammer@insightbb.com

"Ali" 6"x8" oil on canvas

This is the second of two sessions that Ali has posed.   Last time I did more of the figure so this time I wanted to concentrate on the head.   I think I captured her coloring.   She is such a good model.   While I was there I leaned on a cabinet and it broke.   Now I have to appear there tomorrow with glue and clamps in hand.   By writing this down will make me remember to do this.

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"Cinched again" 5"x7" oil on canvas

Available for $100, contact me.

Yesterday's set up was still there when I walked into the studio and I thought I might try it again with a different cropping.   I like both equally.   I like the way this one fills up the space.  Almost didn't get it photographed because of the dark day.   But the storm let up and that was my window of opportunity.

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"It's a cinch!" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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This is my Barry Kieselstein belt wrapped around a small paper bag.  It's a small version of a larger version I did  a couple of years ago.  the black packground is made up of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna (Windsor  Newton).

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"Hard pill to swallow" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Available for $100, contact me.

The other day I posted a painting of an old torch (Rudolph) and asked anyone if they could see the reindeer.   A number of you saw the reindeer, some of you didn't and one of you saw a chicken on a fence.   So now I think it is a chicken on the fence and I should rename it.   Any suggestions?  I also didn't know what the torch was or did.    A friend emailed and said it was used for melting solder and lead as well as heating materials to be less brittle to curve.   It was fueled with gasoline and extremely hazardous.   I don't think I'll be using it any time soon.

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"Coiled" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Available for $100, contact me.

When I paint dark areas I rarely use black paint.   Instead I use a mixture of Ultramarine blue & Windsor Newton Burnt Sienna.  I find that the WN brand is more translucent than the others.   Recently they changed their mixture and it is not as translucent as it was but it still works.  You can get a good range from brown to dark brown to black.   The more blue you use the blacker it becomes.   In this painting I used WN burnt sienna from an old tube so the blackish color was easy to get.

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"Rudolph" 7"x5" oil on canvas

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I think this is some sort of torch.   You fill it up with fuel, pump it up and adjust the flame.   What it was actually for I don't know.   Maybe one of you knows and can tell me.   I called it Rudolph like the reindeer.  Do you see the reindeer?

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"Alexandrea" 8"x11" Portrait sketch in oil

Our "Go Figure" Friday group had it's first session today in our new location, Crescent Moon Studio.   The light was good and we had lots of room to move.  Ale is very fair with blonde eyelashes.   She is a great model.

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"Stage Fright" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Click here to purchase.  $100

This red and white patterned surface is actually woven handmade paper.   I love the pattern against the plain colors.  The panels I use are gessoboard panels by Ampersand.   I used the smooth surface for a number of months, but now I glue fine tooth cotton canvas to the surface.  Lately before I paint I put on a layer of Grey #6 acrylic as an underpainting.  I think it helps the oil paint flow on more smoothly.   Who knows I might change it next week, but for now that is what my process is.

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"Coffee Jungle" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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I actually painted this yesterday but couldn't decide on a title so I set it aside, got busy with life and forgot all about it.   With the patterned background I thought the object should be simple.

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"The Misfits" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Click here to purchase. $100

Thought I would try the blues and greens again.   Some days you sparkle and some days you don't.  Can't wait for the weather to warm up to above freezing.

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"Pear down" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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Changed my method just a little.   Now I put a coat of  Grey #6 acrylic on the canvas before I start.  Seems like the paint goes on smoother.   Might be the same of two layers of gesso.   I realized when I was done there were 3 basic piles of paint on my palette, green, orange, purple,  all secondary colors.

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"The Blue Greens" 6"x6" oil on canvas

Click here to purchase.  $100

Carrying on with the "green" theme, I chose these items to paint.  There were subtle changes in the shades of green and blue.  Was fun!

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"Fluffy, pondering" 6"x6" oil painting

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"Well Scarlett, do you think I should return to work?  I've had such a nice time of lazing around.   Harry O"Green and I have been watching movies and eating buttery popcorn.    I can hear the squishing of paint tubes calling me back to the palette."    Fluffy is reluctant to start up her daily routine.  She just wants to run away to Argentina and Tango.    But that takes two!  

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"Double decker" 6"x6", oil on canvas

Click here to purchase. $100

I had this little bowl and put a green apple in it and then thought it needed something else like a red apple.   I just happened to have one.

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"Fruit Less" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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I got this beautiful bowl  so I could use it in my daily paintings.   I love the black outside with the green inside.   A Friend gave me a Gift basket with all this delicious fruit in it so I thought I would paint some of them.    I'm trying out some new brushes and trying to get used to them.   It is amazing what a difference it makes to change one little thing.   I'm not sure if I like them or not.

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"Fruit Full" 6"x6" oil on canvas

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  I'm finally back and looking forward to a "Fruit Full" new year!   My Family is not big on computers or the internet.   They don't really understand what it is that I do.   It is so hard to explain and they loose interest when I try.   So usually I don't even mention it.  It is good to be back in familiar territory.   My Shih Tzu thinks so too!

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