Saturday, May 5, 2012

My Mug

No, it's not a self portrait.  It's my favorite coffee mug.  I have a ton of them, but this one usually finds its way into my hands at some point during the day.  It has been around for a long time and I have painted it before.  It is always a challenge, because is is so dark and has a shiny finish that catches light and color.

I set the mug up in my new, primitive light box.  It is just a cardboard moving box with a hole cut out on the side to let the light in from a clamp on desk lamp.  I have to paint the sides black, because there is too much light bouncing around.  It could drive a person nuts trying to figure out where all those reflections are coming from.

This is a soft pastel painting and it is painted on 5 x 7 Wallis Belgium Mist sanded paper.  Painting from life is fun.  There are so many things a camera can't pick up.

Thanks for looking.  Here is number 30.  Wow, a quarter of the way through.



Doug
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6 comments:

  1. robertsloan2artMay 5, 2012 at 6:51 PM

    Well done! I love the deep rich color and glinting reflections on the shiny surface of the mug. Great choice of background colors too, very lively and intense.

    You're making me itch to paint, whether in pastels or in oils, acrylics, watercolor.

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    1. Doug WasilieffMay 5, 2012 at 7:11 PM

      Thanks, Robert. I made sure I had enough tooth this time. It was time for Wallis. lol I used Terry Ludwig pastels for the mug. A lot of pigment and beautiful darks.

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    2. AnonymousMay 6, 2012 at 5:32 AM

      Nice one, Doug! love the rich dark color of your mug. Great idea, making a light box. I tried that some long time ago, but never did much with it. Maybe time to dig it out again....
      Judi

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    3. Doug WasilieffMay 6, 2012 at 7:45 AM

      It worked! You can now post comments! Thanks Judi. The light box really helps cut it down to just one light source. Very helpful. You have to love those Terry Ludwig darks for still life paintings.

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  2. UllaMay 7, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    I like the reflections and the rich colour of your mug. It makes me want to have a go with my favorite tea mug with my copic markers!

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    1. Doug WasilieffMay 7, 2012 at 6:21 AM

      Hi, Ulla. Thanks for popping in. Reflections can be fun in any medium. Using your favorite tea mug will be fun. Go for it!

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