Ocean view

 Ocean view, British Columbia. Oil on Masonite, 20 x 15 cm:

Doesn't hurt to now and then try something I am not so familiar with. A Canadian friend of mine posted a photo on Facebook, and I shamelessly stole it to use as reference photo. I couldn't quite do it justice, I think...

Pylons

 Pylons near Balmoral, Mpumalanga:

Oil on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm.

This spot is only a few kilometres from where I lived as a boy. It is mid-winter, and the winter frosts have killed off the grass and, it seems, everything else. New growth will burst forth in spring, and by November, if the rains were reasonable, the area will resemble Ireland. 

I find most people don't particularly like this kind of scene: the winter colors are considered drab, even depressing, and the pylons an eyesore. With me it is different, perhaps partly because I grew up in this sort of landscape, and thus perhaps view it through the soft-focus filter of nostalgia. For me, these pylons and their cables snaking over the horizon are very much part of the landscape, and I love the rich but subtle and subdued hues of the winter grass. 

This item will be for sale on my Bid-or-Buy store as soon as it is dry enough to travel.

Abandoned home, Karoo

Oil on Masonite, 15 x 20 cm:

SOLD

Mission Station, Tweespruit

Oil on Masonite, 20 x 25 cm:

SOLD

The Belgian-South African artist Frans Claerhout spent his last years here, in the small Free State town of Tweespruit. During his life, his art generated millions of rands. But as Catholic priest, he did not keep a cent of it for himself; it was all used in development projects in the community where he served, and he retired in humble circumstances, sharing a house with another retired priest. He died in 2006.

Karoo landscape with figures

Oil on Masonite, 20 x 25 cm:

SOLD

Cape hunting dog

Oil on Masonite, ACEO (= about 65 x 90 mm):

I haven't painted anything in ages, but have been itching to do so, and to try out a medium I haven't used in years, namely oils. I was rather relieved to see that while my painting has become a bit rusty, my old oil paints are for the most part still perfectly usable.

To start with, I stuck to a limited palette of black, white, yellow ocher and burnt umber. For this sort of subject matter you don't really need much else anyway, though the reference photo I used was definitely more colorful, particularly in the background.

Onion and bottle

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm (= about 8 x 6 in):

Back to still life, but I decided to try something other than my usual dark backgrounds.

Pretty flowers

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm:

For a change, an outdoor scene. For this sort of thing I often prefer a far looser, impressionist sort of style. I based it on a reference photo I took in the garden of a local school; I noticed the girl intently staring at the flowers, haloed in rich light, and knew I wanted to try painting it.

Onion and herbs

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm:

Sweet things

Nowadays, I try hard not to eat these things. But they are fun to paint.
Oil on board, 15 x 20 cm (= about 6 x 8 inches):

Onion, herbs, oil

Oil on board, 20 x 25 cm (= about 8 x 10 inches):

Two lemons

Another citrus-themed one. Oil on board, 15 x 20 cm (= about 6 x 8 inches):

Lemon and Herbs

When life gives you lemons, paint them...
Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm (= about 8 x 6 inches):

Cloves, tomato, apricot jam

I remain torn between oils and acrylics for this sort of painting. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. In practice, I work with one for a while, then get sick of it and switch to the other. Perhaps I'll eventually figure out which one I really prefer.

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm (=about 8 x 6 inches):

Pomegranate

Just about time I got a bit of oil painting done again. Oil on board, 25 x 20 cm (= about 10 x 8 inches):

Salt shaker and cherry tomatoes

Oil on board, 15 x 10 cm (= about 6 x 4 inches):

As I worked on this one, I took a series of WIP photos, which I planned on working into a YouTube video. I'll see if I get around to it. Unfortunately some of the photos came out thoroughly out of focus, so it might not be too spectacular. I can say this: there are few things that break one's concentration and "flow" quite as much as stopping all the time to take a photo!

Tomato, egg, oil

Oil on board, 25 x 20 cm (= about 10 x 8 inches):

Ceramic, tomato, egg

Oil on board, 15 x 20 cm (= about 6 x 8 inches):

Tomato and Egg

Oil on board, 10 x 15 cm (= about 4 x 6 inches):

Haven't done an oil painting in a while, so I'm a bit rusty!

Four Capsicums

Oil on board, 20 x 15 cm:

Been enjoying playing around with the rich colours and textures of wood. I have long enjoyed this sort of "kitchen still life;" perhaps time to do a series...