Dear Subscribers,

Greetings!
 
The new still life is finished!
The setup:

 
First stage:

Blocking it in. Getting right into the spool of picture wire.
 
Next stage:

I want the pitcher and onion to eventually become secondary.
 
Next stage:

Background and cloth.
 
Next stage:

Finally getting the red elements in. I kind of like how the unfinished cloth looks at this point, like it's vibrating or something. But know I'll be taking it further.
 
Next stage:

I begin working the cloth to a better finish, working my way from left to right. I'm in the zone right now, deep in an audiobook. Satisfying work. At this point I realize my pitcher has too much value contrast, it's commanding too much attention.
 
Next stage:

At this point I'm killing the contrast of the pitcher to push it back and draw more focus to the spool and red paint/glass. I decide to start obliterating the edges of the pitcher and onion. I want the eye to go to the darks and sharp edges.
 
And the finished painting, "Spool" (16x20):
 

 
(Click through the image above to get to the Facebook "Like" button!)
 
Very happy with this one. It tried my patience at times, but it was worth it.
 
For info on the oil still-life lessons I'll be offering (in Palo Alto, California) starting this January, email me. Two spots left.
 
Until next week,
 
David A. N. Cheifetz
www.davidcheifetz.com

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