Rita Kirkman's Daily Paintings

Scarlett (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 12)

2012-02-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

"Scarlett" (pastel, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

Titling one's painting is definitely part of the creative process (or struggle, as it may be!) And I admit, after 100+, names for ranch animals are beginning to be hard for me to think up without repeating any. Sometimes I'll simply consider whatever name first pops into my head, and if it doesn't seem overtly wrong, I'll go with it. Sometimes I'm lucky, and the name is obvious from the first look at the photo reference.
This one took some thought. No name seemed to fit, that I hadn't already used. Then I decide to ignore the look and coloring of the cow, and began to look for clues in the painting itself. This is a more contemporary feel, bold colors, in-your-face pose. She looked to me as if she was on a stage, like a starlet. Ah! The rhyming "Scarlett" popped into place. I laughed. "There's not much red in this painting," I thought. But then my odd sense of humor said "It's perfect!" What else could you name a black and white bovine stage actress on a blue and gold field?

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And here's today's Quick-Sketch portrait from the rodeo. It was a day for cowboy hats!

Circus (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 11)

2012-02-19T20:06:00.000-08:00

"Circus" (pastel, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

I love how her face looks like circus makeup.

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And here's my quick-sketch of the day, from the San Antonio rodeo. With the color option this time! This young lady had the perfect 'model' smile, and held perfectly still throughout the entire 20 minute portrait.

Linus (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 10)

2012-02-18T21:49:00.000-08:00

"Linus" (pastel, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

I finished this one this morning, and didn't quite have enough time to complete the next. Another busy Saturday at the Rodeo!

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Speaking of ... Here's today's last Quick-Sketch. I was exhausted and ready to go home, but this couple's contagious optimism gave me the burst of creative energy I needed to make this one of the best sketches of the day!

Curly (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 9)

2012-02-17T23:02:00.000-08:00

"Curly" (pastel, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

I decide to move to a 6x6 format for some pastel cows. I'm finding some great shots that crop much better as a square than as a rectangle. I managed to take some progression photos of Curly:

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Below is my Quick Sketch selection from today at the rodeo!
This lady had her portrait drawn once before (not by me!) and said it didn't look like her. She took a chance on mine, and was quite happy!

Workshop "Pastel in Miniature" - spaces still available!

2012-02-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

Still space left in my workshop "Pastel in Miniature", in Rockdale, Texas. Conveniently located 1 hour east of Austin.
Information here: http://files.faso.us/7688/1771.pdf
Registration form: http://files.faso.us/7688/1772.pdf
Supply list: http://files.faso.us/7688/1773.pdf

Copper (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 8)

2012-02-16T20:24:00.000-08:00

"Copper" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

His name brought to mind a bright shiny penny - precisely the color of his coat!

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Below is my Quick-Sketch of the day from the San Antonio Rodeo:

Pirate (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 7)

2012-02-15T20:38:00.000-08:00

"Pirate" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

This cute baby practically leaped out at me from my photo collections, begging to be painted! So I had to oblige!

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Below is my Quick-Sketch portrait selection from today at the rodeo. This young man is one I've drawn several times over the years. He's grown so much recently I didn't recognize him!

Grazer (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 6)

2012-02-14T20:47:00.000-08:00

"Grazer" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid (coming soon!)

Grazer's name was sort of obvious. I debated whether to put the grass in his mouth (as my photo showed) and in the end decided that the distinctively clenched teeth looked better for having a purpose!

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Below is my Quick-Sketch portrait selection for Day 6 of the San Antonio Rodeo. This young man was very eager to have his portrait drawn; he sat vary patiently!

Gracie (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 5)

2012-02-13T21:06:00.000-08:00

"Gracie" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

I finished this pretty Brahman today. I loved her elegance and sweet expression. Her subtle gradations of color and tone were challenging, but I'm happy with the result!

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Today at the Rodeo was quite slow, as expected of the first Monday. Here's a Quick-Sketch Frontal of a girl from west Texas. Bought by her husband as a Valentine gift.

Hortense (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait #4)

2012-02-12T20:55:00.000-08:00

"Hortense" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

Hortense has a slightly different look. I used more colors on her, with smaller, more impressionistic strokes. I think this is because I started on a busy day, with many interruptions, and finished on another almost-as-busy day. But through it all, the light, and her expression, stayed true. So I'm happy.

I named her Hortense because the name, for me, calls to mind an old fashioned, respectable, mature lady, whom no one could possibly put anything past without her being wise to it. This lady's expression says all that! I also found out from Wikipedia that 'Hortense' means 'gardener', so the fact that she's claimed her spot in the cool grass, giving her this visual connection to horticulture, seemed appropriate.

Here's "Hortense" yesterday as I left her, half completed:

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Today at the Rodeo was somewhat less busy than yesterday. More people wanted profile portraits than frontals. Here's one I did today of a family's 3 children, in profile:

...and the 'profile' pose...

They were a fun bunch and very appreciative!
(these side-view portraits take me about 4 minutes to complete per face!)

Looking forward to what tomorrow brings!

Quick-Sketch of the day - #3

2012-02-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel, 15x12 inches)

These were just two of the hordes of people we drew today. I was getting quicker today because of the rush. I think this one took about 10 minutes per face. These girls sat very patiently! Here they are below, posing with the finished portrait. (They actually sat one at a time when I drew them.)

I did work on a new cow this morning, but only got about half way through before the Saturday rush began. In hindsight I with I'd thought to photograph the progress. Oh, well, with luck you'll see it tomorrow.
Now it's late and I'm to bed. It was an exhausting day!

Bogart

2012-02-10T22:21:00.000-08:00

"Bogart" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

In honor of the San Antonio Rodeo, I decided to work on some more miniature cow portraits, for which I'm best known. I had time today to complete one painting - yay! I named him Bogart because something in his face and expression reminded me of the famous classic movie star...

Below is my "Quick-Sketch Portrait #2", one of our brave service men from the United States Air Force. He is flying out on another assignment in the morning.

Quick-Sketch of the day - #1

2012-02-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel, 16x12 inches)

The San Antonio Rodeo has begun! I've got my double-booth open, and ready to sell! Today, "opening" Thursday, has been historically one of the slowest days of the entire event, so I was thrilled to oblige this handsome couple visiting from out of state who wanted their portrait drawn.
Here they are below, posing with their finished portrait:

I didn't time myself this time, but I think this one took me about 12 minutes per face.

My goal for this Rodeo is to post at least one "Sketch of the Day" each day throughout the entire event, until closing day, Feb 26. Blog posting, I've found, is an addictive habit, and I'm missing my daily paintings! I'll also be trying to work in a few paintings while I'm there -- we'll see!

Audrey With Flowers at Seven

2012-02-06T20:38:00.000-08:00

"Audrey With Flowers at Seven" (pastel, 26x20 inches)

This is one of my entries that was accepted into the Austin Pastel Society Juried Exhibition this year. (The other accepted entry was "Pigeon Fight", an earlier post.) I'd had this painting in my mind for years, and actually started it more than a year ago. I couldn't quite get it finished for last year's APS Juried Exhibit, so had put it aside for another 11 months... I had this in my mind as a sort of 'sequel' to a much earlier painting "Audrey With Flowers" from 2002, the first painting I had ever done intentionally for competition:

"Audrey With Flowers" (pastel, 25x19 inches) sold
Audrey (my daughter) was 2 when I took the reference photos for this, and I was amazed at how cooperative she was with the directions on how to pose. (She was not cooperative the next day when I wanted to get the same shots in a white dress with her hair down! lol)

When I happened to catch her years later in our new house, sitting at the table after breakfast, my artist's eye was struck by the similarities, and I knew I'd have to paint from this one eventually. (Audrey is 12 now, so it only took me 5 years to get to it!)
Below is the original photo for "Audrey With Flowers at Seven." My personal challenge with this composition was to see if I could keep the main subject smack dab in the middle of the painting and still make it work. I so liked the 'in your face' attitude of Audrey staring right into the camera. I made the book blue and added the blue cereal bowl to create a triangle with the curtain and to keep the eye bouncing around the painting instead of following the shadows out the bottom right corner.

The Austin Pastel Society Exhibit will be at the Chase Bank Building Corredor of Art at 700 Lavaca, Austin, Texas, from February 27 to May 5, 2012. The reception and awards ceremony is Sunday March 5, 3-5pm. (I won't make the reception; I'll be in Houston in the Bayou City Art Fest, but wish me luck!)

A Portrait Commission

2012-02-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Another Holiday commission from the client's photo. I loved the fuzzy bow and collar!

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a portrait in pencil.

Dancing on the Edge of Danger

2012-02-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

"Dancing on the Edge of Danger" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

OK, I have to admit this one is my favorite. I painted it right along with "Dangerous Gull" a few days ago. I just felt that, at the time, the technique, the lighting, the values, the movement and the meaning of the piece just came together along with having no struggles of any kind with the actual painting process, that I decided to put a higher starting bid on this one, because I know that either it will easily sell for twice as much at an art fair, or, darn it, I'll keep it!!

(BTW: this is the last of this little series of gulls for a while. I'll be sketching portraits at the San Antonio Rodeo for the next 3 weeks...)

I managed to get some progression shots of the painting process, here:

First I started with a drawing on Ampersand Gessoboard. (You can see "Dangerous Gull" on the left)

Then a wash of burnt umber with a bit of cadmium yellow, gently smoothed with a paper towel.

Here's the start of the 'lifting' off in the highlight areas. This is done with a brush dipped in mineral spirits and lightly swiped on a paper towel.

Here's with all the highlight areas lifted off.

Here the darks have been put in with burnt umber, pure from the tube.

Just a shot to show how I work from my iPad on 2 paintings at a time. For these two, I kept "Danger: Gull!" handy for color reference.

Here are the colors on the bird itself...

...And finished with the sky and sign...

Wave Tripping

2012-02-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

"Wave Tripping" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

This one was fun to paint. When I enhanced the colors of the photo in Photoshop, it was surprising how much red came out in the waves. But when I painted them, it somehow worked. Water, after all, is clear, and will reflect any light that surrounds it.

Below is the original photo, the first crop, image reversed, and the final composition with color enhancement.

A Smooth Landing

2012-02-02T17:54:00.000-08:00

"A Smooth Landing" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

This is one of my better cropping results, I believe. I passed over this photo at first, just another gull hopping around on the beach. I was distracted by the beautiful wings and instinctively knew I couldn't fit them well in a 6x6.
But on a second pass through my gull photos, I must have been in the right creative mind, for instead of seeing the wings, I saw the shadow and the concept of 'arrival' or 'landing', which necessitated leaving enough space to the right for the bird to move 'into'. I'm very happy with the result!

Below is the original photo:

Skimming the Surface

2012-02-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

"Skimming the Surface" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

Here's another on his way to take-off!

Knee Deep

2012-01-31T18:27:00.000-08:00

"Knee Deep" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

One of the two I finished today. I shot the photo reference right before he flew away, but I like how it looks here as if he's wading and trying not to get his wings wet.

Dangerous Gull

2012-01-30T13:41:00.000-08:00

"Dangerous Gull" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

Here's yesterday's gull right before taking off. I found his pose to be curiously analogous to the message of the sign.

Danger: Gull!

2012-01-29T14:58:00.000-08:00

"Danger: Gull!" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

All right! I've made a breakthrough in this oil painting process. Liking the warmth of the reflected beach sand on the underside of this gull, I decided to start with an umber/yellow base on today's posted painting. Then I took that one step farther and lifted off the lights, and painted in the darks, until I had a complete value painting with the umber (I remembered this from Carol Marine's workshop!) That was late last night and I left it to complete the today, when of course the umber was dry.
I discovered that I really like how colors go on over this warm underpainting, without having to deal with the a wet blending of it into the new colors.

(PLUS: I finally signed up for Pandora with my iPad, hooked up some speakers, and had all my favorite music as I painted today. I don't know, but I certainly felt like that had something to do with my performance. Somehow, grooving to Maroon 5 with a paintbrush honed my concentration... wish I'd done that months ago!)

Below is the umber underpainting. The finished painting above has NO white highlights painted in. The highlights are the lifted areas from the umber, left unpainted. I love this look so much I painted 4 more monochrome umber underpaintings today, in hopes of finishing them all tomorrow with the same palette.

A Walk on the Beach

2012-01-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

"A Walk on the Beach" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

This oil painting thing is starting to come back to me after the long Holiday season doing portrait drawings. I decided to take progressive photos this time, to remind myself of how I get to where I'm going in this process...

For this painting I started with a basic pencil drawing on gessoboard, then washed it with a thin blue layer, wiped gently with a paper towel:

The darkest areas first. This was a mixed blackish using a blue, a red and a dab of yellow.

Here's showing how I use my iPad for the reference photo. It hangs on one side of my board.

I stared the colors with some middle blue (..I know, I speak color-speak like a pastelist... I believe this was thalo blue with white)

Then added the other middle and dark-middle tones (ok, don't ask me how I mixed these colors. I go on instinct, not memory - and I still have color-mixing instances that are such nightmares I don't want to remember them! At least I've learned to mix small amounts so as not to waste too much paint.)

Here I've adjusted the color and value of the water and waves:

Then the final highlight colors and white. ...And a bit more attention to the water to pull up the brightness, and make that rear wave recede a little more. And it's finished! Thanks for watching!

(Ignore the slight color shifts in the progression photos, they were taken indoors. The final image shot is most accurate ...aside from the usual my-camera-to-your-monitor variances...)

Goin' Wading

2012-01-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

"Goin' Wading" (oil, 6x6 inches) click here to bid

I stumbled across some gull photos that I hadn't yet 'reviewed'... Apparently from the last vacation, all my shots got sorted into their file categories, and I hadn't had a good look at these ones from the Carolina beaches. Turns out I now have several excellent new compositions for gulls, as that trip was right after painting "Gull Yoga" and "Running Scared" and I was very conscious of wanting lots of new gull pics.

New Feed Address (for blog subscribers)

2012-01-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

Just a note for y'all who've subscribe to my Daily Paintings blog in the "Follow by Email" RSS feed...
I'm a little bit clueless about all this, but I did notice recently that my feed stats was calling my Daily Paintings blog by it's old name "Rita Kirkman's Art Journal" (which is a separate blog now.) So just now I updated the name of the Feed Title and Feed Address to "Rita Kirkman's Daily Paintings."

...Then I read the note that said "Changing 'Feed Address' will require you to update your feed subscribers with your new address; the previous feed address will no longer work."

Huh.

So, I guess I better let you all know (if any of you know what I'm talking about) that the new Feed Address for this blog is now http://feeds.feedburner.com/RitaKirkmansDailyPaintings. (The old address was http://feeds.feedburner.com/RitaKirkmansArtJournal.)

But I think all you really need to do is re-subscribe in the "Follow by Email" box to the right.

Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks for following! Now your subscription will come to you as "Rita Kirkman's Daily Paintings", which is more to the point, and a better description!

(PS: Stay tuned later today for a new 6x6 gull painting in oil!)

Pigeon Fight

2012-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

I gave up on 'filling-old-frames' and decided to just paint whatever the heck I wanted to paint! (...once I figured out what that was.) So today I painted. In oil. And it was good. I'm happy. But I painted in the evening, and won't have a good daylight photo of it until tomorrow. So stay tuned tomorrow for another 6x6 gull painting!

Meanwhile, here's one of my entries to the Austin Pastel Society's Annual Juried Member Exhibition.

"Pigeon Fight" (pastel, 16x16 inches) is a new painting I finished just last week, and a new subject and perspective that's a little out of the ordinary for me. I enjoyed it, and perhaps there will be series ...someday.

Workshop - Pastel in Miniature

2012-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

The smart artist's answer to today's economy: Smaller Paintings!

Join me for a 2-day workshop on painting small with pastel.

March 1 & 2, 2012. Rockdale, Texas.

Informational Flyer

Registration Form

Supply List

Wind Break

2012-01-24T11:40:00.000-08:00

"Wind Break" (oil, 3x3 inches) click here to bid

Here's another little painting done for a frame I found. Trees are a favorite subject of mine - in other people's art! - and occasionally I'm brave enough to attempt some improvement of my own handling of the subject... I'm mostly happy with this one. I really like how these grasses turned out. (lol)

Here it is below in the frame. Available in the DPW auctions.

Curious Bird

2012-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

"Curious Bird" (oil on Uart pastel board, 5x3 inches) click here to bid

I'm working to fill all the miscellaneous old frames I've got laying about, with the ultimate goal of creating more space and organization in this new studio (A new studio aught to be spacious and organized, right?) Well, this mundane task has it's rewards - namely, getting me to paint something in spite of my current creative block.

The frame I decided to start with was a the most challenging of the bunch - a textured yellowish-blueish-greenish thing that I think is supposed to look like cork. I spent an hour at the computer rejecting several photos of various subjects as just not being quite the right image for this particular frame. (I wasn't really sure what the right image should be either, but I kept looking.)

Then, in my "pre-comps" file (photos that have gone through some compositional process already) I found it! One of the ostrich shots from "Curious Pair," a pastel painting from years ago. This single guy had just the combination of texture and simplicity that this frame seemed to call for!

I decided to forgo the pastel in favor of getting more experience time with oils. And since I didn't have any canvas boards, I decided to try it on a small sample of Uart pastel board, a light gray sanded surface. It was interesting to paint on. I'm not sure I'll use it for oil again; it held the paint in place and didn't allow for much manipulation, but I think the texture complimented my subject in this case, and worked well on the small size.

Below is the painting in the frame. The frame looks a lot happier now, to have the right painting in it. I also think this curious bird looks happy to have this frame!

I'm offering this framed painting in the DPW auctions. Use this link or the link at the top of the page to bid!

A Pet Portrait Commission

2012-01-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Another cutie from the Holidays.

A Pet Portrait 'Quick-Sketch'

2012-01-19T19:19:00.000-08:00

(sepia conte pencil and white pastel, 16x12 inches)

This is what I call my 'Quick-Sketch' portrait, which at certain events I do from life in about 15 minutes (human subject, that is!) or from a good clear photo in about 20. Below is photo of my easel at the mall last month, showing how technology can be convenient! (That's my iPad on the left!)

You can see how I tried to reduce the effect of the wide-angle distortion in the photo.

Mission Shadows

2012-01-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

"Mission Shadows" (pastel, 12x9 inches) click here to bid

Painted en plein aire at the Mission San Jose in south San Antonio, Texas. This was one of the many doors in the wall surrounding the courtyard. I loved the patterns of shadows shifting over the rough rock.

"Morning Light"

2012-01-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

"Morning Light" (9x12, pastel on Canson paper) click here to bid

Been slowly organizing the new studio, and came across some plein aire paintings that had slipped past being blogged a while back...
This one is from the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. I painted it in the morning when the shadows were interesting.

Winter Baby - A Portrait Commission

2012-01-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Another Christmas commission for a proud grandmother. I've drawn this baby, her sister and her cousin every year since they were each born!

Sunday Morning

2012-01-13T20:10:00.000-08:00

"Sunday Morning" (conte and pastel pencil, 18x14 inches)

Here's another drawing made to fit an old frame.
Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, until further notice!

The Girl and the Goat - Study #2

2012-01-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel, 12x17 inches)

I've been finding work to fill old frames this week. Here's a sketch I did as a study for a painting (the eventual painting was from another pose.) This drawing is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, until further notice!

Becca's Daughter - An Oil Portrait Commission

2012-01-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

"Becca's Daughter" (oil, 8x8 inches)

This was commissioned by my sister, who is the young girl's Godmother. She sent me a beautiful photo, with lovely light coming through the windows, and gave me carte blanche to do whatever I wanted (within her budget -lol.) I felt the urge for a miniature in oil, and here's the result!

Below is the reference photo.

"Koi #11" - First Painting in new Studio!

2012-01-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

"Koi #11" (pastel, 5x5 inches) is my first official painting of 2012 and the first one in my new studio! The studio is not completely finished, and is actually quite a mess right now, so no studio photos will be posted until I say so!
This new koi painting will be a new work for 2012 at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, TX, along with a few of my 'dailies' from last year that nobody was lucky enough to bid on.

To give you a peek into my creative process, I've posted below, today's original finished painting "Water Lilly #3" which I painted from a lovely photograph of the flower. It was only after scanning it and seeing it on screen that I realized it desperately needed some koi. And so a few strokes later it became "Koi #11". (above) NOW it's finished!

Young Man - A Portrait Commission

2012-01-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

This handsome young man came in to the mall with his dad to order a portrait for his mom for Christmas. They had me take a photo to do the portrait from.

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to see more!

A Portrait Commission - Little Conductor

2012-01-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Another handsome grandson of yesterday's client!

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a pencil portrait from your photo.

A Portrait Commission - Baby Bonnet

2012-01-05T18:15:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

This one was for a client who always has the most adorable photos of her grandchildren!

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a pencil portrait from your photo.

A Pet Portrait Commission

2012-01-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Those curls were almost not fun.. but I endured for the sake of that cute face!

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to see more!

A Pet Portrait Commission

2012-01-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

(Conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings to see more!

A Mother's Portrait

2012-01-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

From the same client as yesterday's post - this was their mom. I've drawn this portrait 4 times now! (one for each sibling..)

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a pencil portrait.

Little Sister - A Portrait Commission

2012-01-01T20:42:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

This is the sister of a client, as a young girl. Commissioned as a Christmas gift.
She had the most remarkable hair!

See RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a portrait in pencil.

Old Cowhand

2011-12-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)
Here's a job that I would have loved to do the entire picture -- horse and all! But the client could only afford the basic portrait. The photo was old and small; his head was about 1/2" high. But though the contrast was strong, the highlights were perfectly exposed and the shadows retained just enough detail to be intriguing.

Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a pencil portrait from your old photo!

A Portrait Commission

2011-12-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)

A family honors their veteran father's proud service to our country!

See RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a portrait in pencil.

A Pet Cat Memorial Portrait

2011-12-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

Their family cat had passed away shortly before Christmas this year. A memorial portrait from an excellent reference photo as this one was never fails to touch something deep inside me.
I have has several cats come and go through my life...

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)
Visit RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to commission a portrait in pencil.

A Pet Portrait

2011-12-26T19:55:00.000-08:00

A recent pet portrait commission (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches.) The adorable ones like this are the most enjoyable jobs!
See my drawings website at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com for info on how to commission a pencil portrait.

A Pet Portrait Commission

2011-12-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

A recent pet portrait commission (conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches)
See my drawings website RitaKirkmanDrawings.com for information on how to commission a portrait in pencil.

A Portrait Commission

2011-12-18T22:54:00.000-08:00

Another Holiday portrait commission. I'm half-way through the craft show at Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio. With more portraits than time to post them!
See my Drawings website on how to commission a pencil portrait! RitaKirkmanDrawings.com http://www.ritakirkmandrawings.com/

Nellie

2011-12-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

"Nellie" (oil, 6x6 inches)

Nellie is the 'identical twin' of Hugo (wink) a handsome cow of whom I have so many great pics to choose from, that I had to paint another. I especially enjoyed the distinctive pink pattern on the muzzle, and the trepidatious look in her eye!
I believe I'm making steady improvements with my oil painting skills!

(Now available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, as of Jan 2012)

"Cows, etc." The Book, Now Available!

2011-12-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

My new art book "Cows, etc. -100 Miniature Portraits-" celebrates the beauty of the bovine and other animals, in 100 miniature pastel portraits, reproduced in full color images! Available here: www.createspace.com/3718769
Just in time for Christmas gift giving! (Order soon to allow time for printing and shipping)

Guardian

2011-12-03T17:52:00.000-08:00

"Guardian" (pastel, 16x12 inches)

This is my answer to several requests for another "Bodyguard", which won first place recently at the ASBA, and sold immediately! "Guardian" will be available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas after Dec 5.

Cold Shoulder

2011-12-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

"Cold Shoulder" (oil, 6x6 inches)

Here's a new play on the profile view, after so many front-on portraits. And I just couldn't resist the fluffy ear!

(Now available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, as of Jan 2012.)

Valentina

2011-11-28T20:16:00.000-08:00

"Valentina" (pastel, 8x6 inches)

"Valentina" had the privilege of representing my artwork for the honor of being a juror for the 2011 IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) exhibition in Albuquerque earlier this year. She was displayed on the juror's wall during the exhibit, right between paintings by Desmond O'Hagan and Liz Haywood-Sullivan (and is also behind me in my Facebook profile pic!)

Saving George

2011-11-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

(conte and pastel pencil, 10x8 inches) This is my donation to a silent auction for the saving of George, a Great Pyrenees puppy with a genetic birth defect. See the details and how you can help here.

"Cows, etc." The Poster is Here!

2011-11-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

"Cows, etc. - 99 Miniature Portraits -" (24x18 inches) is my poster celebrating the completion of 100 cows and other animals in this series of small portraits. I'm also working on a book (which will be ready any week now...) and the poster was my quick gift to myself as soon as I knew the book would be delayed...
Order a poster here!

Christmas Brothers

2011-11-19T20:07:00.000-08:00

This is an 8x10 pencil portrait commission. Visit my drawings site at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com to order a portrait drawing from your photo!

Max

2011-11-18T19:18:00.000-08:00

"Max" (pastel pencil, 10x8 inches) is a recent commission. The client wanted a black & white pencil drawing originally, but when I saw the photo of Max, I HAD to talk him into getting color! It was easy!
See my Pencil Portrait site for information on commissioning a portrait, at RitaKirkmanDrawings.com

Cinnamon

2011-11-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

"Cinnamon" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This warm, friendly fellow is recently available after not hearing from a client I was saving him for. He's available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas until through January 2012. He's also included in my book and poster!

Violet

2011-11-16T21:13:00.000-08:00

"Violet" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Violet" is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012.

Louie

2011-11-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

"Louie" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Louie" is on page 97 of my book "Cows, etc. - 100 Miniature Portraits -" and the original painting will is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.
The book is still waiting for the second proof, but hopefully I'll have the poster in time for Friday!

Noble

2011-11-13T17:09:00.000-08:00

"Noble" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

How could I forget Noble? Noble is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012!

Jasper

2011-11-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

"Jasper" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

I like Jasper. He's got attitude!
He's also my last post for the current batch of bovines included in my new "Cow's etc." book (in progress!)
Jasper is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Butterscotch

2011-11-09T16:05:00.000-08:00

"Butterscotch" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This little calf had the most unique coloring I think I've ever seen. Made me think of warm butterscotch swirled into white cake batter...(yep - been thinking of food lately!)
This one will also be available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Sam

2011-11-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

"Sam" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

I believe this is my first llama in this series - I don't know why that is; I love the look of llamas. I think this one may have been from the first good photo of a llama in sunlight. My other shots are mostly from indoor petting zoos... That's probably why.
"Sam" will be available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Whitecap

2011-11-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

"Whitecap" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

Believe it or not, "Whitecap" is a name I reused from an older cow portrait that I 'rejected' as not up to my exacting standards. I like this Whitecap much better.
(The old Whitecap was a different cow with a white 'cap', on a different surface, and will never be seen or heard from again!)
Whitecap is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Shye

2011-11-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

"Shye" (pastel, 7x5 inches) sold

I loved the gentle expression on this one, and the turn of her head suggests shyness...

Shaggy

2011-11-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Shaggy" (pastel, 7x5 inches) sold

This huggable fellow can be found at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas for the next 10 days!

Vanilla

2011-11-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

"Vanilla" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Ginger

2011-11-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

"Ginger" (pastel, 7x5 inches) sold

Yes, I've had a run on flavor-names with this last batch... guess I've been hungry lately!

"Coffee"

2011-11-01T06:31:00.000-07:00

"Coffee" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

Not quite coffee colored? He is to me, who must have 2 packets of International coffee creamers in my cup each morning!
Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Trouble

2011-10-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Trouble" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Trouble" is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012. ("Trouble" will also be the 'cover cow' for my new Blurb book - in progress!)

Sly

2011-10-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

"Sly" (oil, 6x6 inches) sold

Here's another one I got started on at Cactus Jack's last Sunday and finally finished. I named her for the look in her eye...

Clementine

2011-10-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

"Clementine" (Pastel, 7x5 inches) sold

Here's another of the cows leading up to 100 from earlier this month. Her orangy glow reminded me of the sweet fruit I named her for.

Hugo

2011-10-25T16:27:00.000-07:00

"Hugo" (oil, 6x6 inches) sold

Well, after the marathon of 5x7 pastel cows last week (most still to be posted) I had a hankerin' to use a paintbrush and give my dry, cracked fingertips a rest (pastel artists, you know what I'm talking about!) So this past Sunday at the bovine paint-out at Cactus Jack's I took along my oils and a photo of this handsome fella'.
Sometimes I really love oil paint ...when I can manage to make it do what I want!

Flekk

2011-10-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

"Flekk" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

"Flekk" is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, through January 2012.

"Prince of Thieves"

2011-10-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

"Prince of Thieves" (pastel, 8x6in.) click here to inquire
Such a noble face for such an ignoble profession; I knew he must have been a prince among thieves.

"Prince of Thieves" is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, TX. (ask for by title and artist)

Hazelnut - my 100th miniature cow portrait!

2011-10-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

"Hazelnut" (Pastel, 7x5 inches) available at Cactus Jack's

Well, here it is! My 100th miniature cow portrait! Admittedly all have not been cows, about a dozen have been other miscellaneous animals; goats, donkeys, bison, even a camel, and a few others. I'm so excited to have gotten to 100 without getting BORED!! I'm amazed that I'm actually still pumped to do some more! (Ok, probably because it took me 2 years and several wanderings into other genre...)

I have some here at home leading up to this one, that I will post in the next few days. I debated holding off on posting this one until the end, but I don't believe this will be the end.... so... I wanted to commemorate the moment!

Next I'll make a blurb book like everyone else! Can't wait!

Washing Up

2011-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

"Washing Up" (pastel, 8x10 inches) sold

Here's a painting I did as a request from an admirer who saw my first duckling painting "Safety Net" at the IAPS convention silent auction and missed bidding on it. This painting now happily has a home in Canada!

I was looking for a posting of "Safety Net" to link to it, and realized I had never posted it! So here it is below. This was a part of the "Pastel Pics" Silent Auction at the International Association of Pastel Societies biannual convention in Albuquerque last May.

"Safety Net" (pastel, 8x8 inches) sold

Red Robin - New Award!

2011-10-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

"Red Robin" (pastel, 8x6 inches)

I'm excited to announce that my painting "Red Robin" has won the CPS Founders Award at the Connecticut Pastel Society "Renaissance in Pastel" National Juried Exhibition. The show, at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT, continues through November 13, 2011.

Bodyguard

2011-10-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

"Bodyguard" (pastel, 17x10 inches) sold

Here is my third and final painting for the ASBA Show at Cactus Jack's, coming up this weekend! I think this one's my favorite.
(10/21/11 Update! This one Won First Place! ...AND sold! Woo hoo!)

Grazing Oreos

2011-10-14T17:41:00.000-07:00

"Grazing Oreos" (pastel, 10x20 inches)

These adorably fluffy cows are frustratingly shy of roadsides. This composition was created from two long zoom shots very far from the fence line. But I do like how the back-light almost completely obscured the center cow's face. I think it helps with the impression of incredible furry-ness.

This will be one of my paintings in the American Society of Bovine Artists third annual show, at Cactus Jack's from Oct 22 through the end of the year.

The Aunts

2011-10-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

"The Aunts" (pastel, 24x24 inches)

Here's my newest medium square in my cow series. This will be for the upcoming show of the American Society of Bovine Artists at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, Oct 22- Jan 1.
I couldn't resist these ladies when I saw them. Their expressions have such personality! The title came at me right away.

Almost a Teeneger

2011-10-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

"Almost a Teenager" (pastel, 30x18 inches)

(My daughter, at 11.) This painting just won the Sponsor Award at the New Braunfels Art League ARToberfest Regional Juried Exhibit. The show continues through November 12.

Leader of the Pack

2011-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

"Leader of the Pack" (pastel, 32x32 inches)

I'm happy to announce that these cute fellas won First Place in Pastel at the New Braunfels Art League annual ARToberfest Regional Juried Exhibit this month. The Show continues through November 12, at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, 239 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, Texas.

An Apple a Day

2011-10-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

"An Apple a Day" (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

This painting is framed:

Lucille

2011-09-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

"Lucille" (pastel, 7x5 inches) sold

OK, here's another one I managed to sneak in this week...

Amber

2011-09-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

"Amber" (pastel, 7x5 inches)

This is the last of my most recent batch of miniature animal portraits that are not sold or out at galleries. She's a beautiful female deer of some sort, from a wildlife ranch. I loved the golden glow of her coat backlit by the afternoon sun.
Amber is available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas through January 2012.

Wood Ducks

2011-09-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

"Wood Ducks" (pastel, 12x12 inches)

This is a painting that was lost for 2 years, then found! Now available at The Gallery at Round Top.

Road Sketch 25

2011-09-06T16:25:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 25" (pastel, 3 x 5 inches)

Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, TX.

Road Sketch 24

2011-09-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 24" (pastel, 3x5 inches)

Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, TX.

Road Sketch 23

2011-09-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 23" (pastel, 3x5 inches) sold

Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas

Road Sketch 22

2011-08-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 22" (pastel, 3x5 in., framed) $150 sold

It had been raining on and off all day, and the road, the air, and the windshield combined to create a very misty, impressionistic scene.

This painting available at Cactus Jack's, in Gruene, Texas.

Road Sketch 21

2011-08-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 21" (pastel, 3x5 in., framed) $150

Twilight is my favorite time of day.
This painting available at Cactus Jacks, in Gruene, Texas.

Road Sketch 20

2011-08-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 20" (pastel, 3x5in.) click here to bid

The heat was palpable, shimmering in the air. The silence was eerie on the empty road.

Road Sketch 19

2011-08-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 19" (pastel, 3x5 in.) click here to bid

Here I tried the shimmering, disappearing road phenomenon in pastel. It was a challenge, but worth the effort!

Road Sketch 18

2011-08-10T20:47:00.000-07:00

"Road Sketch 18" (3.5 x 5.5 in., watercolor and white guache)

This was approaching Manns Harbor Bridge to Roanoke Island in North Carolina. There were some incredible thunderheads developing over the outer banks.

Sunlit Sapling

2011-08-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

"Sunlit Sapling" (5.5 x 3.5in., watercolor with pastel pencil)

While the hubby and kids went paddleboating, I caught this young group of trees soaking up a little sunlight at Waller Mill Park in Williamsburg, VA.
Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas.

Rita Kirkman's Daily Paintings

Scarlett (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 12)

Circus (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 11)

Linus (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 10)

Curly (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 9)

Workshop "Pastel in Miniature" - spaces still available!

Still space left in my workshop "Pastel in Miniature", in Rockdale, Texas. Conveniently located 1 hour east of Austin. Information here: http://files.faso.us/7688/1771.pdfRegistration form: http://files.faso.us/7688/1772.pdfSupply list: http://files.faso.us/7688/1773.pdf

Copper (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 8)

Pirate (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 7)

Grazer (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 6)

Gracie (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait - day 5)

Hortense (and the Quick-Sketch Portrait #4)

Quick-Sketch of the day - #3

Bogart

Quick-Sketch of the day - #1

Audrey With Flowers at Seven

A Portrait Commission

Dancing on the Edge of Danger

Wave Tripping

A Smooth Landing

Skimming the Surface

Knee Deep

Dangerous Gull

Danger: Gull!

A Walk on the Beach

Goin' Wading

New Feed Address (for blog subscribers)

Pigeon Fight

Workshop - Pastel in Miniature

Wind Break

Curious Bird

A Pet Portrait Commission

A Pet Portrait 'Quick-Sketch'

Mission Shadows

"Morning Light"

Winter Baby - A Portrait Commission

Sunday Morning

The Girl and the Goat - Study #2

Becca's Daughter - An Oil Portrait Commission

"Koi #11" - First Painting in new Studio!

Young Man - A Portrait Commission

A Portrait Commission - Little Conductor

A Portrait Commission - Baby Bonnet

A Pet Portrait Commission

A Pet Portrait Commission

A Mother's Portrait

Little Sister - A Portrait Commission

Old Cowhand

A Portrait Commission

A Pet Cat Memorial Portrait

A Pet Portrait

A Pet Portrait Commission

A Portrait Commission

Nellie

"Cows, etc." The Book, Now Available!

Guardian

Cold Shoulder

Valentina

Saving George

"Cows, etc." The Poster is Here!

Christmas Brothers

Max

Cinnamon

Violet

Louie

Noble

Jasper

Butterscotch

Sam

Whitecap

Shye

Shaggy

Vanilla

Ginger

"Coffee"

Trouble

Sly

Clementine

Hugo

Flekk

Still space left in my workshop "Pastel in Miniature", in Rockdale, Texas. Conveniently located 1 hour east of Austin.
Information here: http://files.faso.us/7688/1771.pdf
Registration form: http://files.faso.us/7688/1772.pdf
Supply list: http://files.faso.us/7688/1773.pdf