Dec 23, 2014

Burning Tattoo II

Burning Tattoo II (Work in Progress)
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas
$750

The latest iteration of my burning tattoo series is on it's way. This one will have more blues and purples as opposed to my previous version consisting of reds and purples. Mother II is still in progress as well I haven't given up on it. I just need to wait for the paint to dry before continuing.

Paint used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, and Cerulean Blue.


Dec 17, 2014

Mother II WIP2

Mother II (work in progress)
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas
$750

I'm still not finished, and not happy with the child's face. So it is blurred out so that no one can see how horrible it looks at the moment. I just wanted to make sure and send a post soon because it might just take me another week to get this face looking the way I want it to look.


Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, and Cerulean Blue.


Dec 9, 2014

Sarah II

Sarah II
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas
$750

I tried to use a great deal of red and green in this painting. I feel like this color scheme doesn't match my personality. I'll probably go back to painting purplish skin tones again soon.

Paints used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, and Ivory Black.


Mother II (work in progress)

Mother II (detail, work in progress)
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas
$750

It's back! I am finally starting on this painting, again, for the forth time. I think that this version is going to be the successful version. I'll just tuck the other starts and stops away in my closet to be mocked at a future date. I don't want to look at them while I'm working on this for fear of jinxing the process.


Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, and Cerulean Blue.


Dec 5, 2014

DailyPaintworks Auctions

I am starting up a couple of auctions for some old smaller paintings. If you want to buy one of my paintings for a cheap price before the holidays, then cast your bid. The following 6 small still lives will be available for auction through the end of next week.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/joseph-pfeifferherbert-3765/artwork


Nov 28, 2014

In The Field

In The Field
24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas

Finally varnished this painting after a number of months. Normally I can photograph right away while the paint is still a little wet but this painting hand some color sinking issues.


Paint Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue.


Nov 24, 2014

LeAnna

LeAnna
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

The final version of my LeAnna painting. If you live in the Corvallis area you might have seen this face on some of the local billboards.

Paints used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue and Cerulean Blue.


#art #oil #realism #figurepainting

Nov 19, 2014

Ocean Waves

Ocean Waves
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

I finished this painting about a week ago and waited to photograph until the paint dries. It is still wet in most places. Painting titanum white thickly seems to take an eternity to dry, even to the touch. I might wait a few years to varnish this one just to be sure.

The model in the painting is Nichelle Nolan: http://charligal-stock.deviantart.com/gallery/?catpath=%2F&sort=popularity

Paints used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue and Cerulean Blue.

#art #oil #realism #ascending #ocean #figurepainting



Nov 10, 2014

Untitled Work in Progress

Untitled (Work In Progress)
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

Start of a new painting.


#figurepainting #realism

Oct 29, 2014

Burning Tattoo I

Burning Tattoo I
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas

Finally finished. This is the start of a light and dark series of cloth draped figures. The model is ScareCrowe (https://www.facebook.com/ScareCroweModel)

Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Dioxazine Purple.


#art #oil #painting #realism #darkness #wip #figurepainting

Oct 5, 2014

Ascending Darkness

Ascending Darkness
16" x 20"
Charcoal on Paper

I spent the last few weeks working on this drawing. I had forgotten that drawings can be excruciatingly tedious. I spent most of the working time on this drawing just filling in holes of the paper with a sharp stick of charcoal.

This composition has been on my mind for almost a year now. I have numerous ideas fleshed out for it, in painting form, with various sizes and colors. I finally realized that black and white would be the perfect choice for pulling the crows, fabric and background cohesively together.

The model is the fabulous ScareCrowe (https://www.facebook.com/ScareCroweModel)

As always comments are appreciated. Let me know what you think.


#art #charcoal #realism #ascending #darkness #wip #figuredrawing #crows


Sep 20, 2014

Buy Prints!

I finally set-up my Etsy print shop. If anyone wants to buy a cheap print or two head over there and see what is available. So far it is only my more recent paintings. If you want a print of a specific painting from the past that is not listed let me know and we can discuss the possibilities.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JPHerbert?ref=pr_shop_more

--JPH


Sep 17, 2014

Burning Darkness (Work in Progress)

Burning Darkness (Work in Progress)
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas

I have been very busy lately with a variety of summer related activities. I have been painting all this time, but most are small studies not worth posting. This is the start of a series of paintings of figures wrapped in cloth with both light and dark backgrounds. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue, Dioxazine Purple.

#art #oil #painting #realism #darkness #wip #figurepainting


Aug 10, 2014

Crater Lake with Orange

Crater Lake with Orange
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

I recently submitted this painting to a "Crater Lake" show at the Guistina gallery. It's possible they were only looking for landscape paintings for this show, but maybe they'll accept my anti-landscape still life just the same. Painting the map was kind of fun. Next time I paint a map it will be at a more visible angle.

Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Cadmium Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue.


#art #oil #painting #realism #orange #craterlake #landscape #stilllife

Jul 13, 2014

The Dream Pilgrimage

The Dream Pilgrimage
20" x 16"
Oil on Canvas

I finally finished this deer skull piece. It took quite awhile to complete, and I'm kind of tired of looking at dead bones all day. My next painting will have to be something bursting with life.

Colors used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Cadmium Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue.


#art #oil #painting #realism #skull #pilgrimage #dreaming

Jun 29, 2014

Kitchen Helper

Kitchen Helper
24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas


For some reason I can't find a way to photograph this painting without the lines at the bottom appearing curved, even though they are straight when you hold a ruler to it. Oh well. Someday I'll develop the perfect painting photographing method.

Oil paints used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue, and Ivory Black


#art #oil #painting #realism #angel #toddler #kitchen


Jun 18, 2014

Renewal

Renewal
36" x 24"
Oil on Canvas


Here is the latest edition to my angel series. This one is to represent Spring, a semi-cloudy Northwest kind of Spring.

The dress was designed by the very talented JoEllen Elam at Firefly Path. Be sure to like her page if you are a fan of her work:

https://www.facebook.com/FireflyPath

Oil paints used: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Prussian Blue, and Ivory Black


#art #oil #painting #angel #butterfly #realism #firefly

Jun 13, 2014

Bread and Wine with Blue Paint

Bread and Wine with Blue Paint
10" x 8"
Oil on Canvas Paper


I have been working a a different style of painting lately and practicing it through a series of still lives. These paintings combine traditional still life objects with actual paint used to enhance them as well as a more abstract painting in the background to improve the composition. The background painting was done by my 3 year-old son. My version is mostly accurate to his original artwork.

Available for purchase. Message me for details.

Oil paints used: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, and Prussian Blue.


#art #oil #painting #realism #follow #fun


Jun 8, 2014

Apple with Yellow Paint

Apple with Yellow Paint
10" x 8"
Oil on Canvas Paper


I have been working a a different style of painting lately and practicing it through a series of still lives. These paintings combine traditional still life objects with actual paint used to enhance them as well as a more abstract painting in the background to improve the composition. The background painting was done by my 3 year-old son. My version is mostly accurate to his original artwork.

Available for purchase. Message me for details.

Oil paints used: Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, and Prussian Blue.

#art #oil #painting #realism #follow #fun

Apr 30, 2014

Redemption

Redemption
36" x 24"
Oil on Canvas


I spent some extra time to work in more texture to the wings so that they didn't just look like blurry swipes of paint. Final painting done with the following colors: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Red, Prussian Blue, Ivory Black, and a little bit of Cadmium Orange in the hair.


#art #oil #painting #angel #redemption #realism

Apr 27, 2014

Redemption

Redemption (Work in Progress)
36" x 24"
Oil on Canvas


Only a little more left to do in this painting, but it's mostly finished. I need to wait for the paint to fully dry before I can finish it. It's never a good idea to work over tacky paint.


#art #oil #painting #angel #redemption #realism

Apr 8, 2014

Big Sister

Big Sister
16” x 20”
Oil on Canvas


I thought I would try my hand at doing a more Alla Prima portrait of my friends' children. It isn't totally Alla Prima because it took me more than one sitting, however I didn't repaint very much between days.

Painted using the following Colors: Titanium White, Raw Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Umber, Prussian Blue, and Ivory Black.


#painting #children #sister #brother #cuteness #oilpainting

Apr 5, 2014

Good Camera, Serenity

Reposted:

Serenity
14" x 11"
Oil on Panel





Apr 4, 2014

Radiant Light

Radiant Light
16” x 20”
Oil on Canvas


Painted using the following Colors: Titanium White, Yellow Ocher, Cadmium Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Red Umber and Ivory Black.

#painting #angel #radiant #light #oilpainting



Mar 15, 2014

Serenity Final

Serenity
14” x 11”
Oil on Canvas

http://jphfinearts.net/

The final painting was glazed with transparent colors over the top of a Burnt Umber and Ivory Black underpainting.
Painted using the following colors: Titanium White, Yellow Ocher, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Burnt Umber and Ivory Black.
#serenity #oilpainting #underpainting #painting #wip




Mar 8, 2014

Despair (underpainting)

Despair (underpainting)
16” x 20”
Oil on Canvas

http://jphfinearts.net/

Painted using the following Colors: Titanium White, Yellow Ocher, Burnt Umber and Ivory Black.

Feb 27, 2014

Strength

Strength
20” x 16”
Oil on Canvas

Paint Used: Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Venetian Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt Blue and Ivory Black.

#painting #angel #strength #underpainting #oilpainting



Feb 25, 2014

Despair (Underpainting)

Despair (detail, wip, underpainting)
16” x 20”
Oil on Canvas

Painted using the following Colors: Titanium White, Yellow Ocher and Ivory Black.


Feb 8, 2014

Red Wings Underpainting

This is just the underpainting of the piece that I am currently working to finish. It looks, nearly finished, but everything, besides the face, is completely monochromatic, and needs coloring. Burnt Umber and White for the base skin tone, and Ivory Black and White for the dress. Wings are just Red and black as well.



Jan 20, 2014

5 Stages of Painting

I thought it might be educational for some artists to be introduced to this very technical break-down of all of the different painting stages.  Doing all of these steps is known as the Venetian method of painting, and was regarded by many artists throughout history as the "Perfect Method" of painting.  This was because it exhaustively covers every aspect of painting adding a description to every possible way in which you can apply paint to canvas.  As artists you do not need to use every step, but you can take this information and use whatever piece you want.  In modern times, artists can use one or two of these methods for a completed painting, while others might spend months to years grinding through each stage.

Presented here is a list of the five stages and a brief explanation of each stage:

Dry Brush:  This process focuses on developing the drawing and the basic value structure in a painting.  The paint used is usually an earth tone or an umber to expedite the paint's drying time.  The artist picks up paint with their brush, then promptly wipes off all but only a tiny amount of paint from the bristles.  In this way you are applying a very small amount of paint to the canvas, allowing the canvas to show through in places where you want it to remain light and add more paint to areas that you want to be dark.  This produces a drawing like quality to your painting.

Dead Color:  This stage is also sometimes called "Local Color" and is the start of blocking in color to your painting in a very generalized fashion.  Only mineral spirits or turpentine are used to mix with the paint at this stage to maintain a very thin or lean consistency.  Mainly the artist wants to nail down the basic color of the object hitting the key notes of light medium and dark for each varying color and form.

First Painting/Direct Painting: Many artists only paint in the First Painting method.  If you ignore all other steps and just do this step alone you are essentially alla prima painting.  Alternatively you could end your painting after this stage and not move beyond it.  Think of the whole painting as a birthday cake, "First Painting" would be the actual cake and  everything else would be  the frosting.  The artist paints with a full range of colors, using only small amounts of medium.

Second Painting: With this method you apply paint to your canvas that has been diluted in a great deal of oil to your canvas (this is called a couch) and then you place paint unmixed with medium into that couch.  This makes for a more transparent layer letting the "First Painting" show through while allowing you to still make adjustments.  Mostly this stage is used for blending large areas.

Glazing:  This method should always be reserved for the final stage of painting.  It uses a great deal of oil and the paint that you are applying is nearly transparent.  You can't really do any other method over the top of a glaze as it would cause cracking in your paint.  But, you can glaze over a glaze, and keep glazing until you get the desired effect you are after.  However at some point your paint might become too transparent to cause any real change.

I know many artist that only do "Direct Painting" or "First Painting", ignoring all other stages.  Other artists "Dry Brush" entire paintings to give it that drawing with paint look.  I even know of one artist in particular who has spent nearly 9 years working on one painting done entirely in glazes.  Hopefully you will be able to take this somewhat dull information and infuse new techniques into your painting repertoire.

Side Note: I have posted a number of images of a figure painting using these stages to my website to help aid in the understanding of these principles:  http://www.jphfinearts.net/Stagesofpainting.html

This article was originally published in the Corvallis Art Guild newsletter for January 2014.  Here is a link to a pdf of the original newsletter:
http://corvallisartguild.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/brushstrokes_jan2014.pdf

Jan 13, 2014

Looking Back

I know I'm terrible at posting my new paintings online. Someday I'll get into a better routine. For now here is a detail of the drybrushed drawing for my new painting.

The original painting is 16"x20". I'll post more pictures once I have time to continue with this painting.

This is a dry-brush underpainting done with Old Holland Raw Umber.