Wrapped in roses

[Mary Sparrow]

All I can say about this is...WOW! I LOVE THIS.

[Matthew Severson]

GOOD GOD! This is amazing! But personally I think a this painting deserves a more.. elegant title.

[Josef Sy]

Just Lovely and poetic. Thanks for posting this.

[Jean Kelly]

I'd like to second Linda's request for info on your methods and palette. This one deserves serious study Ardith. Just beautiful. Your love for your daughter just shines through.

Jean

[Ardith Starostka]

Thanks for all the positive comments. I am posting a few closeups--they are a bit soft. I use the following palette:

Flake White
Ivory Black
Prussian Blue
Ult. Blue
Raw Sienna
Yellow Ochre
Cad yellow Med.
Cad Orange
Cad Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Burnt Umber
Sap Green

It usually takes 3 layers to get things looking like I want them to. I don't glaze. I use a medium of stand oil and Gamvar. I spray in between layers with retouch varnish when needed.

Thanks again for all of your kind words.

Ardith

[Ardith Starostka]

Oh, that looks a little weird how those pictures posted! It looks like she's got a short stubby arm! Please ignore that! I cropped these pics from a larger photo.

Ardith

[Allan Rahbek]

Originally Posted by Ardith Starostka

Thanks for all the positive comments.

It usually takes 3 layers to get things looking like I want them to. I don't glaze. I use a medium of stand oil and Gamvar. I spray in between layers with retouch varnish when needed.

Thanks again for all of your kind words.

Ardith

Ardith,

I am very fascinated by your works. After seeing your other posts it looks as you prefer a high contrast of value. And I would like very much if you would throw some more light on your working process.

You say that you go over the painting three times. What do you weight the first, second and third time. The reason that I ask so direct is that the method of under-painting is new to me, and also that I am told to listen to the best !!!!

Hope the best, Allan

[Sharon Knettell]

Just lovely, Ardith

After seeing this and the other entries in Boston, what I can't understand is how that ugly black thing beat this?

[Ardith Starostka]

Sharon,

What do you mean "ugly black thing"--please explain??? I was disappointed that I got an Honorable mention but I guess it was an honor just to have made it to the finals. I think this is the best oil I've done so far and I had great hopes for it. I would love to hear what the judges said! It would be nice if the PSA judges would jot down a few notes on each piece as they're judging and let each artist know what remarks were made about each piece. That could really help.

Allan,

I tone my canvas with thin burnt umber. I draw in thinned burnt umber directly on the canvas. I work from dark to light blocking in the darkest values, middle values and then light values. I just keep repainting each layer until I have achieved the opacity, correct values and colors that I am wanting. It usually takes three to four layers to correct all of my mistakes! I spray retouch varnish in between layers if my paint starts to look sunken in. That's about it in a nutshell...

Ardith

[Sharon Knettell]

Ardith,

I meant the first prize winner, the lady in black with a crooked mouth. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that had taken the top prize.

I was trying to be subtle in my comment, something rare for me.

Honorable mention still does not detract from the beauty of your painting, but I must say I was horrified by the judges decision.