Day 198

Reclining, 5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Painted from life during a 40 minute pose at the figure drawing group. If you're in the area, you can see this painting (and several others of mine), along with figure drawings in various mediums, at our annual figure drawing from life group show at the Hot Shops Art Center in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Opening party this Saturday, Feb. 2nd from 6:30 til 9 pm. There are some very talented people in the group, and it should be a good show. Hope to see my local friends there!

Day 197

Mugshot: Linda N., 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Next up in the Hilton Head Gang lineup, we have the lovely and talented Linda Nickles. (I love her marsh paintings - they make me want to go back to South Carolina!) I'm having so much fun painting little spots of color throughout the skin and then letting the eye blend them all together. These mugshots really exemplify what my painting-a-day challenge is all about - experimenting with color schemes, brushwork, and improving my skills through a daily discipline. This is one of my favorite paintings I've ever done. (Click on the picture to view larger.)

Day 196

Mugshot: Pepi, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Next up in the Hilton Head Gang "mugshots," we have Pepi. I really love the light purple background with the strong darks of her shirt and hair. The earrings were fun, too. Still amazed at how skin doesn't seem to come alive until I add greens and purples to it. 

Day 195

Abstract in red, 4 x 4 inch oil on canvas

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

A busy day with two much-needed visits from friends, plus I finished a commission. A good day, indeed. For today's painting, I gave myself 15 minutes to do a quick abstract - it was all I had time for.

Day 194

Mugshot: Pam, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

Next up in the Hilton Head Gang "mugshots," we have Pam. It was fun trying to capture her expression - the mouth is going to make or break it every time. I like the bright red background, and used a few spots of that same bright red in her face to tie it all together. 

Day 193

Face Down, 5 x 7 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

This oil sketch was painted from life in 30 minutes at the local figure drawing group. I was trying to make the best of an uninspiring pose by playing with bright colors. Maybe I should have named it sunny side up? 

Day 192

Mugshot: Kim M., 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I'm behind on the Hilton Head Gang mugshots, so I'll be trying to play catch-up this week. My favorite part about this painting is Kim's hair. Her lovely strong jawline and beautiful eyes were fun to paint, too. Once again, I learn so much from every single one of these little mugshots. 

Day 191

Old School, 5 x 5 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

A quick still life of a vintage square-shaped Fisher Price Little People wooden toy. Just sort of playing around with loose brushstrokes and bold color.

Day 190

Speed Bump, 8 x 8 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

It felt about time for me to do another Cloud and his shadow painting. This one is larger than my usual daily paintings - it's eight by eight inches. There's a road near my house that was re-surfaced over the summer, and I knew I had to get some photos of Cloud against that shiny new speed bump and dark asphalt. I really like this painting.

Day 189

Daydream, 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

I didn't have much time to paint yesterday - so I grabbed a little 4 x 4" panel with the hopes of painting this horse "fast and loose," while playing with the compliments of purple and yellow. I like the abstract design of it. I could have worked on it longer, but by that point it was almost midnight and I was ready to call it a day.

Day 188

Mugshot: Jason. 4 x 4 inch oil on panel

© 2013 Kathleen Coy

NFS

Back to painting these little "mugshots," this is my husband Jason, the love of my life. I had so much fun with the brushwork on this piece, as well as trying to capture the textures of his beard and hair. Men naturally have more "texture," (which is always fun to paint), and I'd like to paint more of them. This is my new favorite painting...