Monday, August 17, 2015

Flower Reference Photographs for Artists (Cereus, Plumeria, Tulips, Orchid)


"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts."  -  Dodensky


This green and magenta orchid really caught my eye.   All of the flowers posted here are free for artists to use as reference material for their paintings.  You do not have to worry about copyright infringement and there is no need to give me the credit for a reference photograph.   Just keep in mind that I may eventually paint from the same photograph; but, let's face it, out of the thousands of reference photos I have, I will never be able to paint them all in my lifetime.   I thought it would be nice to share.     
For those of you who are not artists, keep in mind that I do commissioned paintings; if you see a photo here you like or if you have pictures of your own that you would like me to paint from for you, contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com


Cereus or Night Blooming Cactus

There are a couple of spots here on Oahu where there are many night blooming cactus showing off every July.  I have many more photographs of these if you are interested in seeing several.




Being a tropical climate in Hawaii, tulips do not grow here.   I have to purchase store bought tulips when I want to  paint them.    Below are photographs of plumeria tree blossoms which are found on all the main Hawaiian Islands in abundance.   Also known as frangipani, they put on quite a show here.   






I have an enormous collection of plumeria/frangipani photographs.  If you are interested in seeing more, just let me know.

Happy painting!


Thursday, August 13, 2015

"Peace Like A River" - Oil Sunset Landscape Painting




"Peace Like A River"
6" x 6" oil on panel
$395

I completed this oil landscape painting with a sunset this morning.   I intended it to be a small study for a future larger painting, but that may or may not happen.   There are so many subjects I hope to paint !  

To inquire or purchase, please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Monday, August 10, 2015

Barn Reference Photographs for Artists




The photograph above of a Michigan barn was taken by me a few years back and I am making it available as a reference for artists to paint from.   The same is true of my barn photos below.   Feel free to use them without me raising any objections...... you do not have to worry about copyright infringement.    Just remember that I may end up painting the same barn myself in the near future.  Giving me credit for the reference photograph would be nice but is not necessary.   For you viewers who are not artists, enjoy the scenery and if you have a particular barn or other reference photo that you would like me to  paint for you a commission in oils or acrylics, just email me at   reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com.   I can also paint you a commissioned work from one of these barns on this post.













Below is an old barn photograph which I took over 40 years ago in Massachusetts with a very inexpensive camera.   The original photo only measures 3.5 inches square.   I just thought I would include it for the fun of it and to also save it on my computer for future reference.



Please stay tuned as I am still painting away !


Friday, July 31, 2015

"A Special Time And Place" - Oil Seascape Painting with Sunset




"A Special Time And Place"
9" x 12" oil on canvas
$725

This oil seascape painting at sunset just cries out loud, "Hawaii".    I painted it from my imagination, however, but it is typical of what you see in the Hawaiian Islands.    This work is a revised version of a painting I did quite some time ago and I had been intending for a long time to rework it and liven up the color a bit.   Below is the original version.


For inquiries and to purchase please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

"The Heavens Declare" - Oil Landscape Painting with Sunset and Barn



"The heavens declare the glory of God......." - Psalm 19:1



"The Heavens Declare"
12" x 16" oil on canvas
$1595

For the most part, I finished this oil landscape of a sunset and barn last night, and then put a few finishing touches on it a little while ago this morning.  Hope you enjoy !

For inquiries or to purchase, please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com


Saturday, July 25, 2015

New On The Easel - Oil Landscape of Sunset and Barn (Work In Progress) plus Sunset Photos




Barn with Sunset
12" x 16" oil - Work in progress


This is the third stage of this oil landscape with a barn and sunset sky.   Hopefully it will be finished in the next painting session.   It needs more work everywhere and it needs a more exciting and colorful foreground grassy area; but not too colorful as it is sunset time.   This scene is mostly from my imagination, although I had a reference photograph I had taken of the barn in which the sky was a mid-day blue with all white clouds.    I have taken many photographs of sunrises and sunsets, and below are 4 of my sunset reference photos.


From the beach, Kauai Hawaii



Leeward Oahu, Hawaii



MacArthur Park at Sunset
Los Angeles, California

I have meant to paint this scene pretty much as depicted in the photograph, but I have never gotten around to doing it.   Notice the ducks in the water.



Mississippi River, New Orleans, Louisiana

Now that I think about it, I believe this was taken at sunrise but I thought I would include it here anyway as the sky is so fantastic.  It is a little blurry but the sky is still good reference for a painting. I took it from the window in our hotel room.   

Please return to view the completed barn painting shown above. 

Thank you for visiting !


Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Handy Containers For Damaged Paint Tubes




It occurred to me that artists might be interested in how to save and store damaged paint tubes and the above picture shows you my solution.   It would help to remove the spice labels and add a label with the color of the paint inside.   It also might help to keep them free of cat fur !   I didn't realize the fur was on the outside of the containers until I took the above photo.

This is a good idea when the lid won't fit on the paint tube anymore, or the side of the tube is slit or has a hole in it.   I have had oil paint last for years this way.    For those readers who are not artists, these spice containers are good to hold small nails or tacks, as well as paper clips and buttons, and you name it.   


I store all my watercolor  paints in these plastic containers.   They keep fresh.   I have not painted a watercolor in about 4 years, if I remember correctly.   Sometimes I think I ought to sell these w/c tubes or donate them to an art association or a teacher or a student in need.   But then I think, what if I go back to painting watercolors again?


As you can see, these are top brands of paint and are in excellent condition.   The back container is full of all Daniel Smith watercolors.  Just thought I would share this little tip, especially the spice containers.

I am busy working on an oil sunset painting right now.   Please check back soon to see the progress.