Drawing in His Presence

Drawing in His Presence

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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Fire by Night in Progress

     This is in progress, and my painting today, number 13 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  I started it during our Night of Worship at Emmanuel Fellowship.  It may be quite awhile until it is finished.  I'm feeling my way through the foreground area, and waiting for the sky to dry before advancing.  I don't have a clear idea of how to handle the foreground.  This is merely the transparent underpainting.  I'm working on getting the value correct as well as the mood.  Stay tuned.

Monday, January 12, 2015

More Favorites



     Just doing a tad bit of sketching with a pen and adding a bit of color to satisfy my Sketchbook Skool assignment and my 30 in 30 day painting challenge.  This one is number 12 for the 30 in 30.  These Rodan+Fields tools really are my skin care favorites.  I use them faithfully and have loved the results that I've gotten.  Not only can I see the difference in my before and after photos, but I can feel the difference!  Hop on over to my page and have a look!  Click on the "Getting Started" at the top left and take the interactive tool test to see your prescription for change!  My Rodan+Fields page

Saturday, January 10, 2015

My favorite tools



     It's going to be awhile till I get back into my studio to paint.  This will have to serve as painting...with ink.  Number 10 with the 30 in 30 day challenge and catching up with my Sketchbook Skool assignment.  Cant' wait to get back to these tools.

Friday, January 9, 2015

SketchBook Skool



     I'm so far behind on my sketch book skull lessons, cleaning out closets, getting ready for tax season, and my Rodan+Fields business needs attention.  I'm very tired.  That means I'm not up to problem solving on my latest oil painting.  This little sketch is going to have to suffice and kill two birds with one stone:  number 9 of the 30 in 30 challenge and my homework for sketchbook skool.  
     I love this set of pens.  I think I would have done better if I'd had my nails trimmed.  Long nails and these pens don't go well together.  I love drawing with ink now.  It releases the perfectionism thing that plagues me and causes me not to draw as often as I should.  I kind of like this little Strathmore multi media sketch book.  The pages really don't wrinkle and you really can water color, ink or cut and paste.  I made myself a little watercolor on the go palette using an Altoid can.  I think I'll be sketching on the go more often, now.  

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Study on color

     I keep reminding myself that it's "paint something each day", not "complete something each day.  This will have to satisfy my Number 8 for the 30 in 30 challenge.  I've worked it out in my mind all day...trying to figure out what I had in mind for the foreground, and colors to set the mood that I was feeling for this painting.  I'm very tired today, so I think that is influencing me.  I desperately need a day or two off in which nobody needs me.  It seems the older I get the more I'm wanted.  Not sure that is a good thing.  I feel very weary right now.  I know that God's mercy is new each morning, and I am so glad.  I'm calling it a night, and heading to bed a few hours early.  Tomorrow will be a better day.  Maybe the Lord will drop in me, the thing he is saying in this painting.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

"Fire Come Down"

     This is my Number 7 of the Leslie Saeta 30 in 30 challenge.  Of coarse, it is a long way from being finished.  I wonder how many house this one will take?  I'm a worship artist, and tonight was our Night of Worship.  This piece is a 28X22 oil on canvas, taking shape.  I will post the progressions.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Crossing Over #2

"Crossing Over"
14"x16"
Oil on Canvas

     This is my Number 6 of the 30 in 30 challenge.  I'm calling it complete, and hope that it is.  I would like to dedicate it to all of those who have lost loved ones. For those loved ones that knew the Lord, crossing over is a beautiful experience!  May the love of Jesus and His Peace run like the river, right through your soul.

Monday, January 5, 2015

"Frilly in Pink"

"Frilly in Pink"
12"x12" Oil on Wood Panel

     I didn't forget to paint on this 5th day of the 30 in 30 challenge.  But, I almost forgot to post!  It sure takes time to do all this posting! Most of my art has a spiritual nature to it, but this was strictly working on technique with transparent oils followed by opaque.   I thought I'd finished this painting, but after looking at it for awhile, I realized it too, needed a little lunch.  The teal sure punches good with pink.  This was painted from a fresh peony.  That poor flower is dead now, and still sitting in my studio.  I contemplated painting the dead one.  I still might.  Peonies are not easy to paint, in my opinion.  I like the little daisy's that frame this one.  How about you?

Sunday, January 4, 2015

"Center of Attention"

"Center of Attention"
16"x14"
Oil on Canvas

     This is my #4 of the 30 in 30 challenge that Leslie Saeta is sponsoring. http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/2012/12/thirty-paintings-in-thirty-days.html 
I painted this from fresh flowers in a workshop taken with Nancy Madina.   Here is a link to her blog:

     I thought I was finished and signed my name.  But, you know when you set it aside to dry, step away from it for a few days, things can change.  It must have.  I knew there was something bugging me about it.  It just seems too bland or something.  I was playing with this teal color in another painting, looked over at this one, and wha lah!  I knew it needed a punch of teal.  It is much improved now.  I must have gotten my camera just a little crooked because I've inspected the painting and the vase is not really crooked.  (Whew).  I know I'm going to add a touch here and there before I call it good.  When I do, I'll take a better photo in good light and post the final painting along with a link to buy.  Thanks for looking!  I would also appreciate a like on my Facebook fan page:  Jay Neal Art!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Crossing Over #2

"Crossing Over #2"
Oil on Canvas 14"x16"
In Progress

     This is number 3 of the Leslie Saeta 30 in 30 Day Challenge.  I did this painting in a large full sheet Yupo with Alcohol Ink and decided to try it in oils.  I've painted this bridge no less than 4-5 times.  First, I had the perspective wrong.  Then, I had the colors and lighting wrong.  I've toned down the water and still will do a bit more.  The bridge is more to my liking, and I've changed the tree in the foreground quite a bit, adding some texture.  I worked on the sky to give it more of an atmospheric look, and overall I'm liking it more and more.  I welcome any suggestions that you might have.  I've been painting in oils for about 8 months, so have lots to learn.  

Friday, January 2, 2015

Not a Starry Night

"Not a Starry Night"
20"x16" Acrylic Canvas
Contact Artist for Purchase Information

     This is number 2 of the 30 in 30 day challenge with Leslie Saeta.  I determined that this go around, I will paint daily if at all possible, even if it means just working on a piece rather than putting myself under the stress of having to finish a piece each day.  Just releasing myself from the pressure allowed me to consider reworking some things, finishing some things, or doing some studies.  This is a reworked piece using a very well used canvas with many layers, topped off with some pouring medium.  I considered working on it some more, and taking out some of the bottom part, but decided to leave it be and call it good.