Green Tea with Honey and Lemon

Green Tea with Honey and Lemon

8" x 10" oil on board

I almost gave up on this one because, as I was painting it, I started to think about the importance of correctly representing objects that people are familiar with such as green tea sleeves and plastic bottles of honey.  However, I saw it through, not because I felt like I was doing such a wonderful job of representing these objects but because, if there's one thing I've learned from painting, it's that they have a way of turning out better than you think they will. The one thing I do like is the way the lines of the bag and reflection lead the viewer through the painting, which was purposeful.

Blue Teapot with Lemon II

Blue Teapot with Lemon II
8" x 10" oil on board
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Sometimes I wonder what difference it would make if I had an actual studio with adequate space and lighting and painting supplies at the ready. My setup for this painting involved balancing the blue teapot and lemon on a wooden box, perched on top of a crab pot, yes a crab pot, sitting on top of our guest bed.  This was the only way I could get the lighting and angle that I wanted for the painting. The surface that the box is sitting on in the painting did not actually exist...I did my best to imagine what it would look like if the box was sitting on a table by the window.

I like the colors and the values, but it's a little too symmetrical or something. Any thoughts?

Blue Teapot with Lemon

Blue Teapot with Lemon
5" x 7" oil on board
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I've been working with a limited palette of ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light, and some sort of red; this was transparent oxide red.  I like the harmony that a limited palette creates.

Green Tea with Lemon

Green Tea with Lemon
8" x 10" oil on canvas panel
Not available for sale

*This painting no longer exists in this form.  I have painted over it in the name of progress*

My summer afternoon drink of choice.  I was determined to put down each individual brush stroke without blending or overworking, which is the number one reason I'm not satisfied with most of my paintings.  The values are good, but I'm not sure if I accomplished my goal.