Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Looking Ahead to Christmas

For years I've wanted to paint a Christmas themed painting that I could use for a Christmas card.  Unfortunately, by the time I'm thinking about Christmas it has always been too late.  I'm quite proud of myself for remembering early enough this year to make it happen.

This painting was a bit of a challenge, but great fun to paint.  I love the idea of arranging things into a pile and painting them.  I'm going to do it again with my next painting.  In fact, I might have many more like this in the future - my head is spinning with ideas!



"Christmas Memories"
14" x 18"
Soft Pastel on La Carte

19 comments:

  1. Mona Diane ConnerOctober 12, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Kari! You are too much!! This is just amazing! :-)

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  2. Kari TirrellOctober 12, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    Thanks, Mona! :)

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  3. Nancy GoldmanOctober 12, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    My head would be spinning if I tried to create such a complex painting. It's AMAZING. I clicked to make it bigger and I can't believe how much realistic detail you've achieved. I especially love the yarn hair you did. Did you start this right after last Christmas? : )

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  4. Tara IshaOctober 13, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Unbelievable! This is absolutely fantastic. The kind of thing you can sit staring at, amazed, for hours.

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  5. Kari TirrellOctober 13, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Thanks, Nancy and Tara - I'm glad you like it!

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  6. Alvin RichardOctober 13, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    So perfect and so much fun. i absolutely love it!

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  7. Alvin RichardOctober 14, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    I can't stop looking at it, the red (my favorite color), the surfaces are so bang on.On Porky Pig's face you can feel the hardness and sheen of the surface. A Christmas potpourri.....just GREAT!

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  8. Ida M. GlazierOctober 14, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Keri,, this is truly amazing work- - - and so beautiful!!! I really bow to you and your stunning painting!! Really, one to 3 hours for the ornements?? You are a real trooper, and can invision masterpieces!! Love your dog, too, so much. Thanks for showing us this amazing painting!!

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  9. Kari TirrellOctober 14, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Thanks, Alvin! Porky and Elmer Fudd were the most fun to paint.

    Thank you, Ida! I appreciate the wonderful compliments! :)

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  10. hmuxoOctober 23, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    I love it!! perfect Christmas Card!!!! You get better with every painting you do!! Now, I have to see it again...

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  11. Kari TirrellOctober 23, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Thanks, Hilda!

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  12. AnonymousOctober 24, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    I wish that you had done photos of this one as you went along. It really is fantastic. I increased its size and the detail is wonderful. Would love to know how you did the hair.

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  13. Kari TirrellOctober 24, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Thank you! For the hair, I used the edge of a couple different pastels to make the long strands, and smoothed it out. Then I used a lighter pastel pencil to draw in the little lines down the strands. Then I used the edge of a pastel again to make highlights and another to change the value of the hair on the left side so it would look like it was in shadow. I hope I've explained that so it makes sense. :)

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  14. Sandy ByersOctober 27, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Kari, I am giddy over this! It is truly a joy to study. Congratulations on your next prize (hehe).

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  15. Kari TirrellOctober 27, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Thank you, Sandy! I'm glad you like it. I hadn't thought of entering it anywhere, but maybe I will. ;)

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  16. Happy Little Trees StudioOctober 28, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Wow! I thought it was a photo! Such complexities!

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  17. Kari TirrellOctober 28, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Thanks for stopping by to comment, Kimberly. :)

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  18. Lisa Graham November 4, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Love your art...and especially Laundry Day in Venice. What is it that is so charming about hanging laundry?...I love the way it looks, especially in your painting.

    I am a self taught artist too...but only 2 years into it. I have a loooooonnnng way to go. Your work is fantastic!

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  19. Kari TirrellNovember 4, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Thank you, Lisa! :)

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