Saturday, December 23, 2017

Sky Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 8x8x1.5" Oil Painting

An early morning beach photo shoot was the inspiration for this piece.  Thank you to Pat Garvey for sharing his image with me.

Purchase here
 One of the biggest problems of selling art online, is representing your art with correct colors.  I didn't realize how big a problem this would be.

I tried for over an hour to edit this piece correctly, and was only partially successful.    Blues seem to be the colors that always give me problems in my photography.

The image above is washed out compared to the actual piece, which is sitting here next to me.  My problem was trying to get the blue gray on the lower right corner to read correctly...which is right on with my monitor.  But that means I have lost some beautiful warm rust and mauve hues in the dark cloud.



In this detail, the mauves and orangey rust shades are correct, but the blue on the right side is way too strong. Also the pale yellows are not warm enough.  What to do?  I have no answers.

Even if I am able to get the colors correct on my monitor, they may not be what you are seeing on your monitor.

So I do my best to represent what I see and offer my customers a full refund if they are unhappy.

I think most buyers understand this issue as fortunately, I have not had a painting returned in almost 10 years.

If any of you have a solution, I would love to hear it.

After writing this post, I tried again to edit my image, and finally have settled on this as the best representation of the painting.  It is better, but still does not reflect all the color variations.

Still missing mauve and purple colors in the dark cloud area and aqua tints behind the pelican.


Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudiio.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Pet Portrait, Dog Painting, Small Oil Paint, Daily Painting, 6x8" Oil Painting SOLD

Several months ago, I did a post consisting of dogs I have painted over the years.  The post generated a new commission from a high school friend who follows my blog.

SOLD
She sent me several images, but this was her favorite.  I had admired this image on facebook.  It was a picture of her, with her pup on her lap, both of them staring intensely into the camera.

Sadly, this sweet dog is no longer with us.  My friend was so affected by the painting, she cried when she saw it.  I was affected by her response and got a little teary eyed too.

I know she is missing her  companion, especially over the holidays.  I hope that in some small way, this portrait helped to fill the void.

In my next post, I will show you another dog portrait commission that I completed over the holidays.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Animal Oil Painting, "DUCKS GALORE" by Carol Schiff, 12x24" Oil. SOLD

A very nice lady from Alabama sent me  images of her family's six black ducks, along with a request that I paint them for her.

SOLD

Actually, the images only had five ducks.  One of the ducks had gone to ducky heaven and she wanted to include him (her) too.  I liked this image because all the ducks were looking in one direction.  I added the missing duck on the end, as though he had reappeared and the others were greeting him back into the flock.

If you relate to the missing duck...I hope you find your flock soon :)

www.CarolSchiffStudio.Etsy.com

Friday, December 1, 2017

Dog Portrait, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 16x20x1.5 Animal Painting, SOLD

Today, I am posting a commission painting.  I find that doing a commission is a whole different ball game.  Do you agree?
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 The client was asking for three paintings of his two dogs.  One of each, and one of both animals.

detail
SOLD

This is the first painting.  I always second guessing myself when I work on a commission.  Does the client want this, or do that want that.  Is it too dull for them, or too bright, or too much detail, or not enough.  It is hard guessing what a perfect stranger would like!

Add to that the dreaded deadline!  In this case, I had only a short time to complete the artwork, due to my schedule.  What if I failed and produce a suitable painting in the allotted time?

While commissions are stressful for me, I always welcome them.....I just have to remeber the sense of accomplishment I have, when the project is accepted by the client.

I believe a little stretch is good for everyone, especially us artists


Thanks for reading my blog today......and keep painting!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Monday, November 20, 2017

Tropical Fish Painting, Palette Knife Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12x.75" Oil Paintng

This is another fish painting from my coral reef series.  Are you bored with this series yet?  I still have a few to post before moving on to another subject.

purchase here
 Another fish painting.  Don't ask what kind of fish it is, I don't know.

I do know I am enjoying these palette knife paintings immensely.  I have been so intense about my brush work, that I had ignored the palette knife for months.  Now that I am working with it again, I am enjoying the freedom it brings.


Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Angelfish Oil Painting, Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting "Angels on Parade, 8x16x.75" Oil

I am still reliving memories of my trip to the coral reefs off Key Largo last summer.  Today's painting  is inspired by that trip.

Purchase here
 Something great happened with this painting......I really liked it!!  I love the texture, the hues, just about everything.  I guess I shouldn't be saying that about my own work, but I do!

I really enjoyed painting this piece and I think it shows.  I think it is important that an artist expresses their feelings in their work and I feel I was able to do that with this piece.  I was not trying to replicate an image, or colors, or even a composition.  I admit I was thinking about a companion piece to the one below.

Fishy School
Purchase here
It was a really good feeling to create these two pieces, more or less, out of my head, and I hope to do more of this in the future.

I have one more fishy piece to show you in my next post.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Dolphin Painting, Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 6x8" Original Oil

This was a fun painting for me.  Maybe it's the subject matter, but I smiled the whole time.

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 Last summer, we spent a few days in Key Largo, with our grandson.  The one thing he was really looking forward to was swimming with the dolphins.  He loved every minute of it and later told me he had met a life long goal by doing so.  (He was 13).

While I was watching, I snapped this shot of one of the dolphins, and have had it on my list of subjects to paint for months.

Sometimes, many times, I find myself putting off certain subjects, afraid that I am not accomplished enough to do them justice.  Such was the case here.





I am happy I finally gave it a try, and was pleased with the results.  I will have to push myself more in the future, when I find myself backing off a subject that I am unfamiliar with.

Hope you have a great day!


 Carol Schiff

Friday, October 27, 2017

Packing up the studio!

Moving Sale!!

25% Off original paintings


Many of you have asked about my moving sale.  After 40+ years of living on the Florida coast, we are pulling up roots and moving to the mountains of western North Carolina.  From the Atlantic to the Blue Ridge!

purchase here


It is both exciting and frightening.  Leaving family and friends behind is heartbreaking, but the mountains are calling us.  It's now or never and we decided on now!  


purchase here

As a result, I am trying to drastically reduce my inventory.  Thank you dear readers, for your support of my art in the past, and your response to my sale.  The results are heartwarming!  

purchase here
Today I am posting a few of my favorites that are still available.  With the upcoming holidays, .
it's the perfect time to get a head start on your gift list or your wish list.

CAROL SCHIFF
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Alligator Painting, Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 6x8" Oil on Panel

These guys are not uncommon sights in Florida.  Sometimes you see them snoozing in the sun next to a road.  Golfer's here usually have a scary encounter to tell.

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This was my third attempt to paint this fellow.  I had difficulty getting the drawing correct, as well as the color.  The image I worked from was not exciting. Eventually, I think I worked it out.

Go gators!



Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Carol Schiff

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Tropical Fish Painting, Palette Knife Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12x.75" Oil Paintng

This is another fish painting from my coral reef series.  Are you bored with this series yet?  I still have a few to post before moving on to another subject.

purchase here
 Another fish painting.  Don't ask what kind of fish it is, I don't know.

I do know I am enjoying these palette knife paintings immensely.  I have been so intense about my brush work, that I had ignored the palette knife for months.  Now that I am working with it again, I am enjoying the freedom it brings.


Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Angelfish Oil Painting, Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting "Angels on Parade, 8x16x.75" Oil

I am still reliving memories of my trip to the coral reefs off Key Largo last summer.  Today's painting  is inspired by that trip.

Purchase here
 Something great happened with this painting......I really liked it!!  I love the texture, the hues, just about everything.  I guess I shouldn't be saying that about my own work, but I do!

I really enjoyed painting this piece and I think it shows.  I think it is important that an artist expresses their feelings in their work and I feel I was able to do that with this piece.  I was not trying to replicate an image, or colors, or even a composition.  I admit I was thinking about a companion piece to the one below.

Fishy School
Purchase here
It was a really good feeling to create these two pieces, more or less, out of my head, and I hope to do more of this in the future.

I have one more fishy piece to show you in my next post.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Daily Painting, Oil, Animal, Sheep, 8x10

My friend, Donna Vines, took a trip to Northern England earlier this year.  She was kind enough to share her photos with me.  I have painted several of them and I could not resist this small lamb walking the moor.


Purchase here
170
I painted with palette knife and brush and tried to get lots of texture in it.  I liked the rugged  feel.  I have never been on the moors, but I think they would feel rugged and cold and windy.



I painted a ram a few months ago, which I like to think is this lamb's daddy.  You can view it here

Have a wonderful week!

Carol Schiff

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Animal Oil Painting, "DUCKS GALORE" by Carol Schiff, 12x24" Oil. SOLD

A very nice lady from Alabama sent me  images of her family's six black ducks, along with a request that I paint them for her.

SOLD

Actually, the images only had five ducks.  One of the ducks had gone to ducky heaven and she wanted to include him (her) too.  I liked this image because all the ducks were looking in one direction.  I added the missing duck on the end, as though he had reappeared and the others were greeting him back into the flock.

If you relate to the missing duck...I hope you find your flock soon :)

www.CarolSchiffStudio.Etsy.com

Monday, September 25, 2017

Wildlife Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, "Gray Squirrel" by Carol Schiff, 6x8" Oil SOLD

Have you ever tried to photograph wildlife?  I have, and consider it an exercise in frustration.  Many blurred images later, my friend and photographer, Ted Fuhrer, offered me the use of his images.  Thanks so much, Ted.

SOLD
This little guy looks very inquisitive and ready to bolt at the least movement.

  I enjoyed experimenting with painting his fur and directing the viewer's eye.  The animal is much the same color as the background in this scene.

 I put it in one of my black frames.  They seem to work perfectly for just about any painting.

Happy day to you!

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Daily Paintings, Small Oil Paintings, Animal and Bird Paintings

I was looking at some of my images and was really surprised to see how many bird and animal paintings I have done.  I thought today would be a good day to post a few of my old time favorites.

Great Blue Heron
250 + shipping


Just Ducky
99 + shipping
  
SOLD


SOLD


SOLD


SOLD
It is always interesting and educational to review the painting journey that you have been on.  I like to line up older paintings, chronologically, which helps me to see the improvements I have made and the ones I would like to make in the future.  Always an interesting exercise.

Have a painterly day and thanks for visiting!


www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Animal Painting, Cat Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 6x8" on Canvas Panel, Hey Kitty

This cat lives at our local art suppy store.  My art group, Pieces of Eight, meets there each week, and we spend the morning creating, visiting, challenging.....and then have lunch together.

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 Kitty loves to interact with us, jumping in the middle of our paintings, climbing into our art bags, doing her cat thing.  Usually mid morning, she climbs into her favorite sleeping place....an artist browser.  For those of you who don't know, it is a canvas sling, much like a hammock.  That is where I snapped a photo of her, which of course, woke her up.

detail
Can you tell, fom her expression, that she seems less than happy with me?


Hope you have a wonderful day!

Carol Schiff

Friday, September 15, 2017

Daily Painting, Birds, "Pelican Patrol" 6x18"

You may notice that these are not your everyday type of pelicans.  Most pelicans are brown and gray and kind of dull, unless they are a breeding male, their heads turn yellow during breeding season.

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195
These beautiful birds, are larger, and a little on the rare side.  I found these in Sebastian, Florida where a large colony lives.


I think they are much more attractive with their brightly colored orange beaks and feet.  They seem to get along just fine with the brown guys.







Tuesday, September 12, 2017

When my cousin, Susan, posted this image of her beloved pets, I contacted her immediately for permission to paint them.  She was thrilled and today's post is the result.

purchase here
520 + shipping
Susan adores her pets and it is obvious they adore each other.  They are truly soul mates.


This painting is also available as a giclee print in the size of your choice
here.

I really enjoyed trying to convey the love of these magnificent specimens .

Thank you for viewing my art today.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

When my cousin, Susan, posted this image of her beloved pets, I contacted her immediately for permission to paint them.  She was thrilled and today's post is the result.

purchase here
520 + shipping
Susan adores her pets and it is obvious they adore each other.  They are truly soul mates.


This painting is also available as a giclee print in the size of your choice here.

I really enjoyed trying to convey the love of these magnificent specimens .

Thank you for viewing my art today.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Daily Painting, Seagull Painting, "The Three Stooges" by Carol Schiff, 6x8 Oil, SOLD

The three birds in today's daily painting look a little goofy to me.  Maybe they are hungry, or maybe they are plotting against another, but I just don't trust them.

SOLD
 They remind me of my childhood and the notorious "Three Stooges", Larry, Moe and Curly.
You remember them don't you?  They were always getting into trouble.



They are looking at a fourth seagull....not in this painting, and I don't think it is in a friendly manner!  I hope to do a second painting of this group, including the fourth member.

The reference photo was shared from Shelley Smart at her wonderful blog here.  Shelley is a fantastic photographer and generous too.  She gave me permission to use her image years ago.  I hope you will visit her interesting blog, "A Year at the Beach", where she recorded the activity on the beach every day.

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www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Monday, September 4, 2017

Pelican Painting, Wildlife Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12" Original Art, SOLD

We spent a lovely afternoon at Pt Canaveral recently.  Of course, we were surrounded by birds.

I was inspired by this pelican, hunkered down on a piling.

SOLD
I realized that many of the paintings, that give me the most joy, are birds.  I am committed to painting more of them.

The biggest block is getting good photos to work from.

I want to share some of my other photos from this trip to Pt. Canaveral.





As you can see, it was a wonderful day.  Grandson came along, making it even more special!

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com
www.CarolschiffStudo.etsy.com

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Wildlife Painting, Snowy Egret Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 11x14" Out on a Limb

One of the joys, of living in Florida, is the abundant wildlife.  It is thrilling to view this majestic birds, almost daily, from my window.

purchase here
11x14"


This one was painted from a photograph, as are most of my work.  He had some glorious shadows on him that I could not ignore.

detail


This is one of those few paintings, that seemed to come easily.  It has left me eager to return to the easel, re-charged and ready to tackle my next project.  I love it when that happens!!





Thanks for stopping by today!

Carol Schiff

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Wildlife Painting, Flying Pelican, Daily Painting, 16x20x1.5" Oil Painting

I don't paint a lot of larger pieces, because storage is such a problem.  Lately, I have had the urge to paint larger.  This pelican seemed like the perfect subject.


Purchase here 


detail
I was lucky to get this image of a pelican, skimming over the ocean waves from my cousin.  Thanks for sharing with me, Susan.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.etsy.com
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com