As the Value Grows

Beginning as a charcoal

My idea is laid out and adding more charcoal, I begin blending out a form.

From this layer I smear on a bit of paint to begin grounding him.

And the layers begin to build for the under painting and the values begin to shape up.

This is where I stopped today.

Thank you for looking and I hope you follow along.

Only Worked on One of the Three Today

This is where I left off on this painting the other day.  I needed to wait before I could add anymore to this.  The others as well but, there was just time to give one painting and this is what I worked on.

As it grew we leave off today with this.

Today I worked with oil thinned with turpentine.  Adding some depth. 

Beginning to take some shape.

Thank you for following along !

New Work Continues to Grow

The three abstracts ended here yesterday.

After adding several thin layers, I am required to end here.  So the paint will set up to accept the next layers.

I am using oils and cold wax for this series.

Still an ugly stage but taking shape.

All three themes are for creeks on the prairie of South Dakota.

Thank you for following 

As Three Small Paintings Begin

Three small South Dakota nature paintings have begun.  
Each has waterways.
1. Is the edge of a small creek.
2.  Shows the windings of a creek
3.  Is the pool of a creek.

We are at the ugly stage.

As the layers build some definition starts.

These paintings are being prepared for the gallery’s new season.

I hope you stay tuned, to see what develops.

This Could Be The One.

Beginning the session here.

Adding more dark as a brown.

Decided a bit more definition is needed.

I have ended here.

I think I am done.

Understand please 
All the painting throughout the tread of this post are progressive sessions of the same painting

This final image
Is
The painting.

Now the decision is on the client.

Keep
Or
Discard 

We shall see.

Thank you for watching along.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

More Washes and Another Hue

This is where I began today.  Still adding darks.

After lots of thin dark washes, I added a blue hue to the sky area.

It’s growing 😃
It is directing me to a night sky.


Thank you for following along.

More Washes and an Added Hue

Many additional thin grey washes were added.  I need to go slow to dry in between layers.

Then let’s introduce another hue, some green.

Soon some obscuring will begin and texturing.

This is how I left it today.

Thank you for following along.  I am enjoying this process, hope you are!

Catch You Up With the Window

Christ is dark enough and is ready for color, to cheeks and lips.

The older boy and youngest girl faces are also ready for color.

The cutting and fitting of garments have begun.

He appears dark flat on the table.  The robe is a beautiful regal blue, white gown.

Continuing with the older boy.

Thank you for following along.

Brining You Up to Speed for the Large Chapel Window Unit

Let me refresh you where this project begins.

With drawing that I will use continually as references throughout the construction.

There are portrait drawings that are used for staining the faces for the final window.  As well as reference for cutting the garments that will go in place.

First the faces need to be completed before the unit can begin final stages of construction.

In the first staining the reference marks are laid on the glass.  The stain is crushed glass powder that is fired at high temperatures in a kiln that melts the crushed glass into the substrate glass leaving the design.

successive firings doing the same thing will darken the image.

The process is continued through several firings getting the face darker.

And darker.

 

 

And darker.

 

Where the piece rests at this time.  On the light box, I can judge how the sun might come through and if the shading is too light still, or right.

He will need another stain treatment and kiln firing but, I can begin to add more character to his features as, he is almost dark enough.

I am working on the other two faces and the dove getting them to the finished stage and then we begin cutting glass for the rest of the unit.

Thank you for following along.

♥

Our Special Couple

Our special couple is sister to who is giving the surprise gift treasure box.

Let me take you through their steps, as she is making them a booklet of the process.  This post is just for them.

Beginning with a reference photo, I take from this what will be the best once I have adapted to the size of the box that will be made.

Everything about the treasure box is glass and metal.  There is zero paint involved.
The paint is staining and the stain is comprised of fine ground glass mixed with minerals and ores that strike the intended color onto the substrate (clear) glass used as the "canvas".

Beginning with a reference outline, that is fired in the kiln to 1300 degrees melting the chips down into the clear glass and permanent.

I begin to slowly build up the composition

This last picture might be a tad blurry from the reflection of the lights.  See the two tones of the jacket the yellow and whites of the sweater, the build up in the hair and finally some skin.

Next additions are the lower firing minerals that will add colors.

Everything about using this method that dates back to the Egyptian era, is planning out mineral and ore strikes that color our project but fire at different kiln temperatures.  If you fire a mineral that strikes at 1000 degrees to 1300 degrees, then the color will evaporate.  The glass stays but without color.

Stay tuned we are adding blues next!!!

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Thank you for visiting!

On the Other Table

In addition to working on the chapel Window Unit, I am working on 2 other special order pieces.

1.  Celebrating life.  A special gift from her sister.

The first application of glass in the first kiln visit.

Using the reference I am given, I adapt what information will fit the size of the box ordered.

The second project is QT.

A favored doggie who is going to make a very special surprise gift for his wife.
This project is going to be a panel that will hang in their window.
The part I am working on now will be the center of the panel.

Her first firing went in like this.
Using this reference.

 

 

They are ready now for another kiln visit.

 

Come on back to see their progress!

 

Thank you

Chapter Eight for the Window Unit Project

Let me catch you up.

Yesterday 3 faces and a hand went into the kiln and fired the next layer into the glass substrate.

I am showing you the placement for them on the pattern, that is used to building the unit.

They may appear dull because the oil has evaporated off the glass leaving just the glass chips.

Once they are fired the glass becomes glossy and vibrant.

Next I am mixing stains to decide the pigment best for skin tone.

Each sample needs firing, so I am making a color board and keeping notes on the formula so once the decision is made I will duplicate the right hue quickly.

Stay tuned I have other works I progress to show you.

Come on back
You KNOW you WANT to!

thank you!

♥

Chapter Seven for Window Unit Project

As I add more to the Christ face, you see the definition begin to build.

 

I placed the piece over the pattern where it will sit when it is complete.  You can begin feel a sense of his invitation.

 

 

Ready now for the next visit to the kiln.

I have moved on to the next face, the older boy.

Thank you for following along.
♥



Chapter Six Window Unit Project

From the pieces that went in the kiln of the precious post, I added to the Christ face.

I will add more, even before the next firing.

Let me refresh you to the process.
Using ground to powder glass chips mixed with an oil, I mover the stain around with brushes until I achieve the look I am after.
Then the pieces is placed in the kiln and taken to between 1100 and 1300 degrees to melt the chips into the substrate glass.

I can do layers on layers as many times that I need, but each layer must be kiln fired to become permanent to the glass piece.

Each trip needs to be carefully watched.  I can ruin the piece at every entry into the kiln.
Each time is an adventure.

There are not speckles on this piece the speckles are from the kiln top.

Come by again to follow the story and process.

♥

Chapter Four Window Unit Project

Welcome Back!


Now that the patterns have been settled, it is time to begin cutting glass.

After all the glass blanks are cut to the shape designated on the pattern.  There are small nubs that need to be removed.

So it is time to grind them smooth and get them ready to stain.

There is a nifty machine for that.

Thank you for following along!

If this is your first visit to the story, go back to the home page and follow from chapter 1.

Enjoy the process!!

Chapter Three on New Hope Window Project

Resizing the unit to the new dimensions, resulted in the patterns looking like the above.  I am happy with the results.

The blank spaces are for the faces and hands feet, legs that are stained onto clear glass using my drawings.

The three pictures above show how the blanks will look filled with my drawings, after they are stained onto the glass.

In the next chapter I will show the first layer of staining.

See you there, thank you for following along!

Second chapter for New Hope Window Project

After all the decisions are made choosing the glass that will comprise the windows. 
You wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.

FINALLY the day arrived for the crates to arrive!

Eric Reiser brought the pallet from their store Reiser Lumber, as they accepted the shipment for me.
Down the road, to the Stagecoach Gallery back door.
Which was heavenly !! Since I am constructing the windows in the Gallery workshop.

I went to work right away un-crating everything.  All the supplies I need, the frits and foils and zinc, then the yummy stuff, the glass!!

Two crates of glass is in here.
I will select from here any glass I will use to cut and piece together to make our window come to life.

Thank you for following along ♥

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