Author: Anita C. Miller

artist
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bright moment ~ 36 in x 24 in

bright moment, 36 in x 24 in, oil and wax, © Anita C. Miller 2015
bright moment, 36 in x 24 in, oil and wax, © Anita C. Miller 2015

cad yel light, cad yel deep, Ital. pompeii red, cad red vermillion, ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, Mars black, tit zn white, cold wax medium — painted over an older landscape painting — trowel and brushes used

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untitled (2261)

untitled (2261), 9
untitled (2261), 9″ x 12″, oil on board, © Anita C. Miller

Process:  an oil sketch with Gamsol (solvent) brushed over when partially dry.  Parts were wiped with a cloth.

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untitled

untitled (walking #6), oil on board, © Anita C. Miller 2014
untitled (walking #6), oil on board, © Anita C. Miller 2014

Palette notes:

titanium zinc white, cadmium yellow light, cadmium red medium, ultramarine blue, burnt umber

Painting process:  The board was brushed with Gamsol then a gray mixture was painted into the Gamsol.  The painting was completed a la prima.

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walkers

walkers, 9
walkers, 9″ x 12″, oil on board, © Anita C. Miller 2014

Palette notes: titanium zinc white, cadmium yellow pale, cadmium red medium, ultramarine blue, burnt umber The very darkest color is ultramarine blue + burnt umber. The background dark green is the previous mixture with yellow added. This painting was done over a grey oil wash (to tone the board) which was dry before beginning the painting.

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mauve woods

mauve woods, 9
mauve woods, 9″ x 12″ oil on board, © Anita C. Miller

The solvent ran in the background creating ghosts of trees… a happy accident.

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fall woods

fall woods abstract, 9
fall woods abstract, 9″ x 12″ , oil on board, © Anita C. Miller

palette : titanium zinc white, cad yel light, cad red med, quin mag, ultramarine blue, burnt umber.  panel tinted a rose color before starting.  Browns made by combining (yel + red) + (ultra bl + quin mag).  Burnt umber + ultra bl combo just for darkest.

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walking the dogs

The reference photo and some stages are included.

walking the dogs, 9
walking the dogs, 9″ x 12″, oil on board, © Anita C. Miller
reference photo -- as you can see, I decided to leave out the second figure
reference photo — as you can see, I decided to leave out the second figure
the gessobord had a slight wash that was dry before I began
the gessobord had a slight wash that was dry before I began
initial stage
initial stage – quick sketch in
started at the top and moved down - here I realize the shoulders are too wide
started at the top and moved down
walking the dogs, 9
walking the dogs, 9″ x 12″, oil on board, © Anita C. Miller

Colors used:  Italian yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red medium and burnt umber.

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minimal landscape

I painted this one yesterday in one shot.  I never intended it to be this minimal, but something is telling me to stop.  This photo was taken under studio lights, unfortunately.  It’s been a dark and rainy week here.  Colors used:  Italian yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber and titanium zinc oxide.  All Williamsburg brand paints.

click on image to see large

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untitled, 48″ x 36″, oil, © Anita C. Miller

 

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oil study on paper

I tried a new product today… a paper made by Arches that is for oil painting.  I enjoyed it and look forward to trying more with it.  My only slight problem with it is that you can’t wipe paint off completely like you can with gessobords.  The paint soaks into the paper.

oil study

reference photo
reference photo

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sketchbook

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Water soluble graphite sketches.  The speckles are made by shaving a graphite stick with a razor blade creating fine particles over the paper.  Then carefully mist with water and they adhere to the paper.

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great blue — 6″ x 6″

ww 4

Most of the orange grasses in the background were made by scratching through the paint (sgraffito) back to the orange undertone.  I also scratched through in the water in several areas.  My new favorite palette now is:  titanium zinc white, cadmium yellow hansa (or light), cadmium red vermillion, quinacridone magenta, phthalo blue (new – I eliminated sevres blue), and ultramarine blue.  I like the simplicity of just 5 colors plus white.

Great Blue Heron, photo reference
Great Blue Heron, photo reference
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prairie wild 6″ x 6″

© Anita C. Miller

There were so many tall yellow daisy like flowers that day.  Most were over my head!  I used the edge of the palette knife to put in these stems.  At first I was careful, but in the end it all came out a bit abstract expressionist : )

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Small Sunflower 6″ x 6″

© Anita C. Miller, "Small Sunflower", 6" x 6" oil on gessobord, click here to purchase with PayPal

© Anita C. Miller

This little painting was inspired by a recent trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden.  While painting this, I realized that I love the contrast of the dark central void with the bright corona of petals and spiky flower parts.