Prepping Panels

This is a miniature painting 4"x4".
I've been working on my painting panels. Today I sealed them with rabbit skin glue. I was going to do them all in the shed but there are too many so some are drying indoors.

1214 White Peony, 6x6, oil on cradled panel

1213 Peonies, 8x10 oil on wood panel

I've been completing paintings that I started and set aside a ways back. This one I painted in a grisaille last year and only just now added color.
There's some that I started many years ago and forgot about completely.

The thing is that I"m getting low on panels so I've been going through old paintings considering painting over them.

Anyway, I just had 151 panels cut from some 1/4inch baltic birch plywood. I spent a few days sanding it smooth (My shoulder is now paining me). As soon as the weather gets nice I'll seal them and put a few layers of traditional gesso on the front. This process takes several days but the finished product results in the most exquisite painting surface. Silky smooth and perfect for applying egg tempera. Here's what 151 baltic birch panels looks like:

I will seal all sides with warm Rabbit Skin Glue and then apply a traditional gesso that i make with rabbit skin glue and calcium carbonate (Marble dust). Then I sand it smooth with wet ultra fine sand paper or I scrape it with a blade. The result is amazing. There is no painting panel I could buy at any price that compares with the quality of the ones I make the traditional way. After I finish the painting and write the date, title, and conservation information on the back I I seal it with shellac to keep atmospheric moisture from causing warping over the years.

151 panels should last me about a year.  Plus I do the odd large painting on stretched canvas. 

1212 Bluebird and Peonies, 8x10, oil on board

I love painting ceramic birds. They are like a character in my work. They add a charming narrative. 

1211 Poppy Party, 8x10, oil

This is a plenaire painting I did in my garden last summer. 

1210, Gaspe Coast, 8x10, oil

Sold-Iqaluit NU

Here's another painting that was left un finished on a shelf in my studio a few years. It was like pulling teeth to bring them down and work on them. I'm so glad I did. 

1209 Poppy Garden, 8x10, oil

Sold-Toronto

I started this last year, en plenaire in my garden. I got distracted and left it unfinished until yesterday. 

1208 Bluebird and Daisies, 8x10, oil

I know it isn't a bluebird. But it sort of is.

1207 Tabagie, 6x6, egg tempera

Sold-Bainbridge Isle, WA

I've done a similar scene in oils but decided to give it a try in egg tempera. 

1206 Chez Schwartz, 4x4, egg tempera

SOLD-Bainbridge Island, WA

I made a few changes to the painting below. This is the result. I worked on it for over an hour but I wonder if it was worth it. What do you think?

Here's another Schwartz Deli painting. I am selling it as a set with the previous one.

1205 Schwartz's Deli, 6x6, egg tempera

Sold-Indiana USA

Here's a little gem on a 6"x6" cradled panel. 

1204 The Jacques Cartier Bridge, 8x10, egg tempera

Sold-Ottawa

I like the effect of looking at the bridge through the trees. It gives a strong feeling of depth in this work.

1203 Montreal Skyline, 8x10, egg tempera

Sold-Georgia USA

Here's another view of the Montreal skyline from Hochelaga balcony. A peaceful spring day. 

1203 Montreal Skyscape (Hochelaga) Work in progress

I've been working on this egg tempera piece the past two days. It's coming around. I will work on it more tomorrow. I might finish it with oil glazes. Will see. Although oil glazes can really bring up a piece and give it amazing depth the shellac coat on egg tempera gives it a smooth enamel like finish.

1202 View from Hochelaga Balcony, 8x10, oil

sold-Montreal

I love drying clothes on a clothesline. The sun seems to bake them and give them a wonderful fresh smell.