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24 Nov, 2017

Someone recently asked me what paint do I use. Up until misty lake below, I used everything including cheap craft paint. By the way, that will not crack in 100 years! Recently I found a new acrylic paint by "M. Ghram & Co". Right now its on sale everywhere! This paint goes on like butter, similar to oils but even better. I love acrylic because, it dries fast, but you must glaze it to protect it from dust, it will fade from that. Plus acrylic added with water makes just as good water color paintings as that paint does and you don't have to have two different paints. I usually use soft watercolor brushes mostly or craft brushes, some long handles brushes when I work on large canvases and even 4 inch house painting brushes. One day will take a photo of my work station when its messy!

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21 Nov, 2017

When the glaze comes in, I will finish the lake painting below. Now, I want to discuss an old painting I am trying to sell after 15 years or so! I must tell a short story: Went to Hawaii years ago, cruiseing on a small pontoon boat one afternoon. Our guide said: "Now I am stopping the boat". Someone drop a quarter in the water please! We were amazed how long we could see the quarter float. Then he had us jump in the water, go down ten feet and look up at the sky as one floats up. When at surface, describe what you see. My description was: "I felt like I was inside a blue star saphire ring". It was the clearest, bluest water I ever saw and it glistened! That was the purpose of this painting. Can you now appreciated it a little more? Can I inspire you? Most people don't see what I am talking about until they look awhile, they don't even see the sea grass or water and the name bothers them too "Neptune,'s Sea Grass"! Funny how people react. I like to hear the reactions even if it hurts a bit! I have always been fascinated by the sea, and being under the sea is very hard to paint, to give that glistening, translucent feeling, the movement, the shadows, and all that clarity too! Your thoughts!

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James Anderson 07 Dec 2017

Beautiful paint brush strokes and use of colors!

Sandra Brown 08 Nov 2021

Interesting story. Nice to see it through your eyes.

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16 Nov, 2017

The painting is done today. It looks pretty good to me if I say so myself! LOL! I don't think I have spent so many hours on many paintings as I have on this one! I am waiting for a special glaze to come in the mail, so maybe next week I will have the photo of it here. Have a super week!

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11 Nov, 2017

This is a series of how I do a painting. To go to the beginning of blog and look for the date of November 9, 2017. If this is too much detail or boring let me know really. I did this to help others that might be interested. As an artist, I would love someone to show the steps one goes through to complete a painting. As a photographer, I would also love to hear the stories on how or what happened to get that great shot! Wouldn't you? By the way, when the painting is complete I will add it here and in my portfolio. Thanks for taking the time with me!

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Sharon De Vore 14 Nov 2017

Not only are you an amazing artist, Ginger, but you are a great teacher of art. I have never had an art lesson and yet I have been asked many times to teach art. I always explain that I would not know how to begin since I have never had a lesson. In late Nov. 2002, I just picked up a brush and started painting our Ozark, AR house because my husband told me to paint it since I wanted a painting of it done by an artist. You show here that sharing what you know and how you do it is the way. Funny, in all other things I share to teach, but never really thought about how I paint; I just do it letting my eye guide me. Thank you, Ginger

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11 Nov, 2017

Now, to the latest painting. This first thing I do is to start to add exaggerated lights in the right places: The brightest is in between the separation of the trees. Then I lay in some fog around the lake and in the trees. Now I move down the center of the painting and add to the light areas in the lake: in back of the grass, move down and to the left of the grass, I add more lights and movement in to the water. In the center of the pond and just below the grass islands, I do more detail to the water and the grass. I stop here but notice the back right of the pond is not right. Another day. Let me know what you think. Are there enough steps or explanations?

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Sandra Brown 08 Nov 2021

Wish I could do a like on your painting. I might be inspired to paint again :-)

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11 Nov, 2017

The 2nd class, I added to this painting more color, studying the major shapes. Notice the grass islands in the water. Notice how the dark's are placed on the left and the lower front of the painting. I put more color in the back of the lake and in those trees because they are very important and will later give depth to the painting. Dark areas are very important at this point. I start putting in detail in to the water, especially where the movement would be. Hope this is giving you some idea of how I look at things and I hope it helps you. Let's move on.

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11 Nov, 2017

The first thing I always do is fill in the white surface as fast as I can. Why? So I don't get hung up on detail. All I want to do is at this point is get the light and dark areas in.. Then I put in the color grouping by squinting my eyes. I do this because I can see the most noticeable color shades or tones without worrying about the detail again. Then I step away every 5-15 minutes at least 15 feet and check how it looks. When I am satisfied I walk away for a day or more..

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11 Nov, 2017

Finally, my email is working and I have time to place 3 stages of the new painting and the original photo I am working from! The first painting starts from the right, then 2, 3, and last is the photo on the far left. It is not done yet. Hope the jpg is not too small or too large! Lets see, then I will talk about each one.

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09 Nov, 2017

I have worked in a class 3 times, I have photos during 2 classes, the 3rd working from home and the original photo (printed) I am working from. I took this photo in 2015 in a spring morning, heavy fog was everywhere. I drove my car down to the Club (Two Rivers Country Club) and noticed how beautiful this swamp lake looked in the fog. The other side had beautiful pink trees in bloom. It was a gorgeous picture. Not sure of the order that will show, but the 1st painting will be to the right, then the 2nd try worked in class, 3rd try worked from home and finally the far left will be the photo I am using. What do you think. I am having such fun. Sorry I am not getting email so I can't get my photo uploaded. another day.

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06 Nov, 2017

I am so excited on a painting I am doing and can barely wait to show you all! First, I want to tell you why I started this painting. A few weeks ago, I arranged for a group of artists, including myself, to have 4 classes with artist Bob Oller. He is well known in our area. This artist group consists of 9 women and we call ourselves the "James River Painters". That is exciting and a story but another time. I have not been in classes in many years, but I thought it would be fun. This week will be the 3rd class. Everyone loves Bob and we are all enjoying the classes. Bob is a Great teacher. He told me I do not need to be in this class! What a compliment! He has given me great advice. I get so excited on certain paintings I get anxious to finish them quickly! Do any of you get like that? I do have two pictures of "stages" -- do you want me to post here? Anyway, have a great week and weekend, thanks for listening! 11/6/2017

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Ginger Olansen 06 Nov 2017

I forgot, Thanks Thomas for the wonderful words!

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