My Uncle's House, Tuscany for Dan, the ultimate feeling when doing a commission.......

The painting "My Uncle's House, Tuscany for Dan" was recently delivered to my client, and I received the ultimate compliment.  He said when he looks at my painting he feels like he is walking down the lane, approaching the house with a glass of wine in his hand.  He said my painting takes him back to his vacation better than the photo did. 

There's nothing better than a happy client, and that kind of compliment makes it all worthwhile!  Now on to the next one, a portrait.......

Two Red Pears, 5 1/2" x 12", Painted on sanded paper, Unison Pastels

I painted this from a photo in the WetCanvas reference image library back in September 2011.  It was for a "Spotlight Challenge" in the Pastel Forum.  I really don't like painting still life from photos, but I was pleased enough with this one.  I like the color of the pears and the soft cloth they are sitting on.  I used strictly Unison pastels for this.  I hadn't used them in quite a while, and I forgot how nice they are.  I broke a rule with this painting, the pears are "kissing", which normally makes an uncomfortable tangent.  Because of the interesting cast shadow on the left pear, I think it works.  Sometimes breaking the rules is a good thing, it forces you to think outside the box.

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.

My Uncle's House, Tuscany for Dan, 10" x 15", the final product

This one came together better than I thought it would.  I put in the bush on the right, got rid of the trailing greenery coming out of the window flowerpot on the left (it was becoming the center of interest, and I wanted the yellow house to be the focal point, the greenery had to go), and tweaked the stonework on the bottom of the yellow building.  The yellow building is Dan's uncle's house, full of old world charm.  I enjoyed painting this, it was something I wouldn't normally have the opportunity to do.  I've never been to Tuscany, maybe someday I'll get there!

© by Christine DiMauro, all rights reserved.