Thursday, July 21, 2011

Born with a silver spoon...



I wish that old saying were true, but I can't tell you that it is in my case.  The silver I have I had to work hard for.  However, I have always loved sterling silver, both when its shining brightly and when it has that gold/umber sheen to it when tarnished.

I have wanted to paint some silver for awhile, a spoon in particular.  But wanted to wait til the right piece inspired me.  Luckily I have a friend with an antique shop and was able to browse and borrow a few pieces to work with the other night.

This is a study of one of the old spoons I chose, the right done early this morning, back down, the left in the last light of this evening showing the reverse of the spoon.  Graphite with a touch of white pastel pencil was used on kraft paper sketchbook and gives that background of gold that comes through as a tarnish that the spoon has.

In a couple of days, I'll work out what I'll do for a composition for them.  I'll need to take some photos for reference as I have to return the spoons, but those plus my life sketches will give me enough information to create a painting from I think.

8 comments:

debwardart said...

These spoons will make wonderful still life subjects and can't wait to see what you do with them.

vivien said...

beautiful Jeanette!

Sandra Busby said...

The tones paper works so well with the pencil and pastel. It looks like I could pick the spoon up! :0)

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Exquisite! I love the shadows and shine... yum ;o)

Jeanette Jobson said...

I'm looking forward to painting them Deb. I have a few composition ideas in my head.

Thanks Vivien, I love old cutlery.

It does Sandra. The yellowish hue that tarnished old spoons take on seem to be reflected as the midtone in it.

I adore drawing Lisa so these were right up my alley. The painting should be fun too.

Anonymous said...

You're so good at showing the real texture and "feel" on your subjects!

Jeanette Jobson said...

Thanks Tracy, I can get caught up in detail and love getting the effect of something solid on paper.

JANE MINTER said...

spoon sketches are really super jeanette .