Painting With Torrit Grey

Every spring the makers of Gamblin Fine Oil Paints create a very special paint called Torrit Grey. Gamblin recycles the pigment dust and creates a unique Torrit Grey that will never be repeated. And, then they hold a Torrit Grey Painting Competition for painters who are challenged to only use Torrit Grey, Black and White! It is a “FUN” to go back to the basics of black and white, and I was very intrigued and excited to do a painting. And, I knew that I had over two months to do it --

I do admit that I didn’t start to do the painting for the competition until a few days before the deadline - okay so I waited -- I even had to go to the art store to purchase a tube of ivory black!

I went through my photos and decided that a Ballet Painting (and I have so many great ballet photos) would be great in black and white. I chose a few ideas and printed some from my computer to paint.

I am known for my use of color, so this was indeed a great respite and a challenge! And, I loved it! In fact, I am now going to do a series of black and whites and then perhaps just add one color! It also got me back into doing ballet paintings which I absolutely love. Did I mention that I had so much fun!

Back to basics -- using the six values of light and mixing the greys shows the values quite clearly -- It is a great way to see light and shadows without worrying about the color.

The Torrit Grey this year is a cool grey, so I rubbed out some of the highlights with my fingers, q-tips and paper towels to show the warm board underneath the paint! I used an Ampersand Gessoed Board. After I let the underpainting dry, I scumbled lighter greys and whites to achieve the effect of light coming through the window on the dancers.

The first painting that I entered is, “Resting”, 10 x 8, Oil on Board, and it sold immediately upon arriving at Ann Buell Fine Art

in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and sold immediately. I sure am having fun now!

The other painting that I entered into the competition is “The Practice”, 10 x 8, Oil on Board and is here in my studio.

I am inspired to do more of the “grey” paintings and have fallen in love with Gamblin Oil Paints!

Wishing you days of magnificence!

Diane Leonard

www.DianeLeonard.com

The Bracelet

A Beautiful Secret Story

If there was ever a doubt in my mind that the universe is made up of miracles -- well, that doubt is now gone.

I had dinner with a friend at a restaurant the other night -- and I had decided to wear a very old, incredibly unique vintage bracelet that my Mother gave me when I was in my twenties -- I have loved looking at that beautiful part of her life -- she had told me that an old boyfriend brought it home for her after the War --

The bracelet has an engraving on it that says, New Guinea, 1945, and is made of coins from Australia! They are a three pence, a six pence and dated 1943 and 1944 -- it is indeed a special piece.

Well, as the night went on, it slipped off my wrist without my knowledge -- I did not know that I had lost it until I got home.

I went to bed telling myself that I would indeed find the bracelet and I starting affirming that I would.

The next morning -- call to the friend, was it lost in his car; no -- went outside and looked on my driveway -- no -- and then I called the restaurant and inquired -- when she told me that no one had turned it in, I told her that I would be driving over to the restaurant myself !

I printed up a few pieces of paper describing the necklace with my phone number -- I was determined to have the bracelet back -- sooooooo -- on the drive over there, I remembered what Rhonda had told a friend who lost his wallet -- to picture it, to feel it and to touching where the bracelet was -- I did that as I affirmed that I would find the bracelet.

When I got to the restaurant and spoke to the woman, she told me that she would post my little signs and that was all she could do -- so, I asked her if I could look around.

I walked to the back of the restaurant where my table was, and there, laying right on that table, right next to wear I had been sitting, was my bracelet -- laid out there, waiting for me to come and pick it up!

Well, I let out a scream of delight and started crying with joy as I walked out of the restaurant -- I am sure that the wait staff thought I was crazy -- I went to tell the manager that I had indeed found the bracelet and I asked her if she had read the “Secret” -- the man standing beside her told me that his friend had read the book, so he came over and I told him the story -- crying again -- my emotions were filled with such joy! It was so great to share a great story with someone who is familiar with the book.

I left with a joy in my heart that will last forever!

Thank you, Rhonda Byrne for being the special woman that you are to this world.

www.DianeLeonard.com

Painting The Joys of Life Series

The “Joy Of Life” series is a series of paintings that captures those moments when we are experiencing that magic and joy of doing what we love -- the simple things - - living life, being human, sharing love and laughter, and especially those tender moments when we are together with family and friends.

The first painting in this series is entitled, “Joy”, 28 x 28 Oil on Linen.

The painting first came to me as a simple idea .... Whenever children and even adults see balloons, they always smile! Then I envisioned children running through the fields with lots of colorful balloons. I pictured sisters holding hands and smiling and sharing those magical moments.

I scouted out a great location to do the photos -- the park near my house. Then I spent a few days watching the light to see what time of day would be best to do the photo shoot.

When the day came to take the photos, I found out that it was also Alexis’ birthday! I was thrilled that she celebrated it with her sisters and me, creating the magic of “Joy” by running through the field with the balloons we purchased at Albertsons --

Oh, and we added some other flowers and a pumpkin too!

When we returned to my house we went straight to my guest room. to select the outfits that they would be wearing. The closet is filled with clothes for all of my models-- in every color and size! Even little girls can be selective in what they choose to wear -- it is important for them to like the way they look, and, isn’t that so for all of us. We usually pick at least two outfits that will give us two different looks for more variety.

Everyone gets the full models’ treatment -- including hair and makeup -- for the little girls, we add a little color to their lips which brings out the smiles on their faces and makes them feel like very special models. Now it’s time to fix their hair. This can include either ponytails or pigtails and even colorful headbands.

With our looks complete, we are now we are off to the park to start taking photos. I have already scouted the location and the time of day that best suits what I am looking for. I chose a place where there would be no trees to get in the way of our floating balloons. We selected several colors of balloons and then the magic just happens. The smiles on their faces lit up the park.


Sisters share a special bond -- a friendship that lasts a lifetime -- capturing that love and joy on canvas is an honor and the reason why I paint!



After perusing through thousand of photos (and this process can take several days), there will be that special photo that just “pops” up-- and the one that captures the “joy” of the moment -- the one that I want to paint!

I usually start with a study of the painting which is where I work out the composition and the colors! And, then, several weeks later, the final painting!

“Joy” 28 x 28 Oil on Linen