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
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Just Ducky
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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!

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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.

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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 :)

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

I hope you all enjoy your holidays and find peace and love in the upcoming year!  I want to thank all my online friends who visit this blog and follow my art.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolschiffStudio.blogspot.com

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.

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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

A Surprise from from the Holy Land

The internet is fantastic and has become a necessary part of our lives.  I sit here on my computer in Florida and magically my artwork is seen worldwide.   How lucky are we to have the fantastic ability in our lives.

A few days ago, I received some wonderful and unexpected news from Israel.  An Israeli fashion designer, Assaf Pelleg,  contacted me with an offer I cannot refuse.  He has chosen one of my paintings to be printed on fabric and featured in his Spring 2017 collection.  I cannot show you the painting he will be using (top secret!) but, I can show you a dress he did last year, using the same technique.

Isn't it wonderful?

The new dress will be ready in March and he will be sending me one of his samples.  I am so excited, I can hardly wait!

This has been a fabulous year for me, with new and unexpected art opportunities coming my way.  A DVD cover, a wine label,and other new venues for my work.....all because of the internet.  How blessed am I?

I cannot wait to show you the dress with my design as soon as it comes!

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Carol Schiff

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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.

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 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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Fall In The Mountains

I have been in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina since early September.  Some of my painting buddies were with me earlier last month.

 We took a short trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Here we are a 7,000 feet.

The weather was beautiful and so was the view!

We visited several waterfalls and had a delicious picnic.

The trees had just a touch of color, at the time.

We made some new artist friends, who had this pear tree outside their studio.  Thank you for your hospitality Joe and Mari.

We visited the apple orchard and bought fresh cider.  I'm going back for those apple fritters!

Nothing beats the fresh fruits and vegetables, right out of the fields!

Denette made a new friend in Hendersonville.  We also had a fabulous lunch and shopping trip!!

We didn't have time to paint, but took photos everywhere.  Maybe you will recognize some of the paintings I will be posting in the future.

One day we drove around looking for interesting barns for future artworks.

There are so many beautiful scenes in our country.  We loved the farmlands as much as the mountains.

The perfect finish to our day, a glass of wine and good music, overlooking trees and a creek.

Thanks for viewing my blog today.

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Daily Oil Painting, Birds, "Waverunners" 12x12" SOLD

These birds were my constant companions on early morning walks on the beaches of Sanibel.

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After 40+ years of seeing the sun rise over the Atlantic, it seemed odd to see it rise from behind the dunes at the Gulf of Mexico.

I used both brush and palette knife on this one.  I like the contrast of texture achieved in this way.

The birds ignored me and my camera, knowing they could move much faster then I can.

Carol Schiff

Story of a commission

When I work on a painting commission, it is always with a mix of excitement and fear.  Will I produce the painting my client is expecting?

Recently  I recieved a request for a 30x40" commission.  The client had already purchased a small 8x10" and wanted a similar scene.  She especially liked the sky.

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I painted a small study of what I thought the client was asking for....focus on the sky and a more interesting marsh area.

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Nix!  The sky is much to gaudy for the client, and could I please add some birds.

This had a better reception, but perhaps a few more herons?

Here we are getting closer, but the client felt the flying heron was too distracting to the sunset.

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I photo shopped the offending bird out of the composition and got the go ahead!  This is the completed 30x40" canvas which the client is totally happy with.

Most clients have sent me a photo image of exactly the scene they are looking for.  I found this trial and error system has worked well for me when there is no photo image to work from.

I would love to hear how others handle this situation.

Thanks for reading my blog today.

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Horse Portrait, "Big Red" 6x8" Oil, SOLD

I have been trying to expand my horizons by painting new subject matter.  This is my second horse painting.

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I have to say I did enjoy the challenge.  He looked so spirited and I got excited about his red coat against a green background.

It's always fun to stretch a little, try something new.  I would like to do more of these, but I think my biggest challenge will be getting interesting reference images to work from. We have plenty of horses in our neighborhood, but they usually run to the other end of the pasture when they see me approach with my trusty camera.

Do you have any special techniques for getting images of animals?

Tropical Fish Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, Coral Reef Series, 9x12x.75" Oil

Celebrating that island feel, mon!  There may be pumpkins and falling leaves outside

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my door, but I still dream about the tropics!

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I have a very difficult time photographing blue and green colors.  This painting is a perfect example.  The background is a lovely blend of aquas, blues and greens, but I lose that in the image.  Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks for viewing my art today!

Carol Schiff
www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

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.

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 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

Tropical Fish Oil Painting, Daily Painting, Small Oil Painting, 9x12x.75" Original Art

I am still working though my images of my trip to Key Largo.  Cannot get this Caribbean vibe out of my blood.

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The color of the fish is pretty accurate, on my monitor, but  I cannot accurately reproduce the subtle shades of blue, aqua and green in the wateer.  My camera hates blues and greens and consistantly reproduces them as pretty much the same hue.

Yes, angelfish do actually come in pink!!

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Thanks for reading my blog today.

Carol Schiff
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Seascape Oil Painting, Small Oil Painting, Daily Painting, 11x14" Ocean Painting Underwater Garden

I am still reliving my recent trip to Key Largo in my paintings.  I think this is number five or six in the series I call "Coral Reef".

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 While in Key Largo we went out seven miles to the coral reef in a glass bottom boat.  I got really sea sick when they powered down over the reef and did not enjoy it as much as I would have liked to.

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 But, I kept my eyes on the reef as much as I could, and took some photos.  I did love the trip out and the trip back.  I could not take my eyes off the stunning aqua and blue waters.

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These paintings are more impressions than actual scenes.

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Thanks for viewing my art today!

carol schiff

www.carolschiffstudio.blogspot.com

Daily Painting, Underwater Painting, Key Largo Sea Turtle, Small Oil Painting, 8x8x1.5" Oil

I am still working on my Coral Reef Series.  This is #4.  I tried to capture the glorious colors of the area and the relaxing, tranquil atmosphere.  This piece was painted using both brush and palette knife.  The 1.5" deep sides are painted a dark value, allowing it to be hung with or without a frame.

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I hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am.  Thanks for reading by blog today.

Carol Schiff

www.CarolSchiffStudio.blogspot.com

Cow Painting, Daily Painting, "Bovine Portrait" by Carol Schiff, 11x14 Oil on Linen

A client wanted a cow painting, for licensing purposes.  I usually do daily painting of still life or landscape, but I have to admit I enjoyed both the horse, they originally chose,  and this cow painting.

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I painted on Senso linen canvas.  I had a pad of the linen around for several years but didn't really know what to do with it.  I found it had a different texture than the cotton canvas I usually paint on, but once I got into the painting, it was fine.

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My next problem was what to do with this unstretched painting.  After surveying several friends, I mounted it on a cradled wood panel.  I was told the perfect glue to use is YES GLUE available at craft stores.  I had some in my stash and I have to say it worked like a charm.  Then I trimmed the edges with a exacto knife and it turned out perfectly.  Now I can use the rest of my Senso linen canvas with no fear!

So, today I stretched my limits, both with the Senso canvas and the cow painting, and luckily both worked out for me!


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