Thursday 30 July 2015

Still Life: Priority Study

Oil painting of a glass vase, a boar's head cup, a glass water pitcher, a brass vase and a glass jar.
This was three-week class exercise in establishing visual priorities, but the fact that the painting remains unfinished after multiple sessions means that I neglected the most basic priority.

Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Antique Poison Bottle in Tea Towel

Oil painting of a green antique poison bottle wrapped in a white tea towel.
I was having trouble painting this bottle by itself, so I threw in the towel.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Sunday 26 July 2015

Giraffe Enclosure at Melbourne Zoo

Oil painting of a gravel enclosure surrounded by trees with a giraffe in the background.
I painted this scene whilst standing alongside friend and fellow painter Lana, and I can't help but wonder if Lana's presence subconsciously caused me to paint what appears to be long-necked llama (it's supposed to be a giraffe).

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Mandarine with Blue Mug

Oil painting of a dark blue coffee mug next to a mandarine.
An ugly mug and an unappeeling mandarine.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Apple with Teacup

Oil painting of a Pink Lady apple beside a willow pattern teacup.
I've painted this drinking vessel countless times, but until now, never in combination with an apple--you might say it was a different cup of tea entirely.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Monday 20 July 2015

Tomato with Earthenware Jar

Oil painting of a tomato in front of a small earthenware jar.

The tones of this tomato have been deliberately subdued in order to make it less jarring.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Sunday 19 July 2015

Brick Lodge at Royal Park, Parkville

Oil painting of a 1930s double-storey brick house with a garden shed and vegetation in the foreground.
According to government documentation on the internet, the official name of this house is Brick Lodge.  I can't help thinking that the nominator could have lodged something less utilitarian (clearly they had the imagination of a brick).

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Saturday 18 July 2015

Lemon with Earthenware Jar

Oil painting of a large round lemon beside a small earthenware jar.
This was a particularly challenging painting exercise because the citrusy subject bears more resemblance to a grapefruit than it does to its smaller counterpart, and therefore no matter how well it was rendered, it was never going to look much like a lemon (or indeed, you might say that the the painting was always going to be a lemon).

That the lemon appears not to be lemon reminds me of a very old joke relating to the second object.

Q: When is a door not a door?
A: When it's ajar.

Oil on canvas board, 5" x 7"

Friday 17 July 2015

Banana with Small Vase

Oil painting of a banana beside a small Chinese-style porcelain vase.
This banana appears to be hiding behind a vase; you could say that it's being evasive.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Milk Jug with Carrot

Oil painting of a carrot beside a porcelain milk jug.
The makings of jugged hare (assuming the bunny takes the bait).

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Monday 13 July 2015

Miniature Vase with White Zucchini

Oil painting of a miniature blue and white porcelain vase beside a small white zucchini.
 A courgette is a female courge, while a vase is gender-neutral.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Sunday 12 July 2015

View from Rick's House at Dunmoochin, Cottles Bridge

Oil painting of the roof of a mud-brick house surrounded my eucalypts.
The relentless rain restricted me to rendering this residence (I had to rein in my endeavours as a result of the raging reign of chaos).  In other words, this was the view from the only dry spot available.

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

Friday 10 July 2015

Thursday 9 July 2015

Sauce Jug with Mandarine

Oil painting of a blue porcelain sauce jug beside a mandarine.
Mandarin sauce is an ingredient popularly used in Chinese cooking, though it is sometimes known as mandarine sauce.  This makes it a sauce of some confusion.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Monday 6 July 2015

Red Pepper in Bowl

Oil painting of blue and white porcelain bowl containing a red pepper with a quarter removed.
A pepper cut.  Much preferable to a paper cut.

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 4"

Sunday 5 July 2015

Farm Shed at Pipers Creek

Oil painting of a corrugated iron shed near a post-and-rail fence and a large eucalyptus tree.
Looking at this picture for the first time since painting it on Sunday, it has become apparent to me that the shed's roof line isn't quite right--it's effectively a roof lyin'.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"


Saturday 4 July 2015

Shearing Shed at Springvale Farm, Pipers Creek

Oil painting of a corrugated iron shearing shed nestled amongst conifers and other assorted trees, with paddocks in the background.
It has been many years since this shearing shed has seen any sheep.  It's a shearing shed that has shed its sheep.

Oil on canvas board, 10" x 8"

Friday 3 July 2015

Glencairn Whisky Glass with Carrot

Oil painting of a Glencairn whisky glass beside a carrot.
A glass of whisky on a Friday evening is my reward for completing the working week; in other words, it is a metaphorical carrot.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"

Thursday 2 July 2015

Egg with Small Chinese Teapot

Oil painting of a small white porcelain teapot beside a brown egg.
Shell: a multinational company involved in the production of Texas tea.

Oil on canvas board, 4" x 6"