Bowl of Grapes 2

Whether it be to failure or success, the first need of being is endurance ~ to endure with gladness if we can, with fortitude in any event.

Bliss Carman

It is amazing to me what one little bit of knowledge will do to change things drastically. I am contemplating buying a video painting workshop on color. The free introductory lesson taught me that the part of anything in shadow will have a touch of color that is opposite its main color on a color wheel. For example, the shadow side of the swans were grayish-purple. The shadow side of the grapes, above, therefore, would be reddish, orange. I'm not as brave as I know I should be but I'm working up to more and more contrasts in my paintings. That's what makes them pop. Anyway, the grapes are done for now ~ on to the pears!

Bowl of Grapes

In creating, the only hard thing's to begin;
A grass-blade's no easier to make than an oak.

James Russell Lowell

Although I took some quick photos of this painting earlier on this is the first time I have gotten to my computer to post anything. I found this photo on-line and fell in love with ts simplicity immediately. Of course, when I started to paint it I quickly realized that it is not simple at all. Each grape had a personality all its own. It was a real joy to tackle each one. I'll probably go over them all at least one more time but for now, I'm just happy to have this one sitting on the easel.