Holly

My gymnist granddaughter Holly is a wonderful young lady.  I started this painting almost two years ago and after fiddling and forgetting about it, finally captured her personality and lovely look. It was a gift which she patiently waited for, and in the end liked my interpretation of her 5 1/2 year old self.

oil on board

10" x 8"
 

Hey Look!

This little beauty was referenced from a photo I took a couple of years ago of kids just having fun at the lake.  It is so spontaneous and a story around it is not hard to conger up in one's mind.  I have a couple more in different stances which I may do as well. Using a plalette knife to add texture to the water made all the differnce in this painting.  

I'm happy to say that I submitted it to a juried show opening Aug 1, 2025 where it was accepted, and will be displayed for a month along with works from a number of other artists.

oil on canvas board 

8" x 8"

Resting Bitch face

Had a little fun last night with some almost done left over paint and an old abused brush.  The light was bad and it looks like my mood was bad (wasn't though), and it turned out okay for about an hours work.  My take away from this was do more portraits from life with minimal drawing.  If the eyes and mouth are located the rest can just happen.  It's all about the values and edges.  There is room for improvement of course, but the exercise was a quick impression with limited resourses.

oil on canvas paper

11" x 8"

Kodi

This beautiful Burmese is sorely missed and hopefully the painting brings the owners some pleasure. It was so much fun to paint in that the deck boards add so much to the composition.  I love a dramatic vanishing affect and the tilt also feels a little more dramatic.  Beautiful colours and a beautiful dog make it so warm and inviting.

oil on board

12" x 9"

 

New Shades

Taken in Puerto Vallarta in 2023, this photo reference was always in the back of mind to paint. Love the woman staring straight ahead in her new sunglasses. I bought the same pair on the beach...ha! This was just delivered to Warehouse Artworks where they just sold my first two paintings on Saturday.  Thank you Rod and my two new collectors.

oil on board

12" x 12"

Last Melt

 

Spring is finally here and it was so much fun to get out to Bunn's Creek about three weeks ago and snap some reference photos.  I just completed this one and look forward to creating many more from the area in the coming weeks and months.  I'm also planning a plein aire workshop which I may hold here as there are so many beautiful scenes to paint. It is my favorite time of the year especially when the first leaves start appearing with the promise of warm sunny days.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Latest Workshop

In this latest workshop I gave a drawing and painting demo prior to letting them have at it themselves.

I like to emphasize the importance of good drawing in any successful painting and give them another way to approach it by holding the pencil a little differently than usual, and using the whole arm when making strokes. Then we shift to a painting demonstation showing a couple of ways to start, proceeding through to an almost finished work.  It was a lot of fun, and I believe they all left feeling a little more inspired.  Great bunch of people.  I was sorry that it was only one day, but that seems to be the more popular way to go.  Way more sign ups for one versus four days.

 

Wiki Wabbit

I was looking for a rabbit image to create something Easter themed and came across this Wikipedia photo... hence the title of this painting.  Cute little guy that resides somewhere in Europe.

oil on canvas panel

8" x 8"

Exchange Of Views

This painting ready for framing is from a photo snapped last year in Puerto Vallarta.  Love the interaction between the three people, and the play of light which gives the scene a lovely natural feel.  I must admit it always seems a little creepy to take these shots even from quite a distance, but I endeavor to leave them somewhat faceless although I know they would immediately recognize themselves should they see the end product.  Probably result in a free painting if brought to task...ha!

Oil on canvas

20" x 20"

Carol"s Cherries

This is a quick demo painting which I thoroughly enjoyed doing in my latest workshop based on a beautiful original by Carol Marine. (She generously gave me permission to show and sell this as it does not directly copy her work). It was later completed in my studio.  I was trying to convey a different style of drawing and brush work to my latest crop of students. Using quick straight strokes can simply convey a loose but accurate depiction of a subject without the fiddling and over detailing that seems to be a focus for a lot of beginners.

oil on board

8" x 10"

No Turns Ahead

This just finished painting is the subject of my first email to subscribers to vernschwarz.com.  Please visit and sign up to view my newest pieces along with any news tidbits like shows, workshops, thoughts etc.

I photographed this group last year in PV, and loved the different interactions.  Dad and new mom getting a little peace and two young ladies maybe talking about whatever exciting things are happening in their lives.  In the end the beach is always perfect and relaxing, even for babies.

oil on canvas

18" x  24"

Ready For Takeoff

 

This little beauty is what keeps us green and fed.  Don't see as many as when I was a kid, but it sure is a treat to see them at work in the garden.  I remember trapping them in hollyhocks when I was around 10 and getting stung the very odd time, but it was fun even though dangerous...ha!  We didn't realize that they died after deploying their stingers.  Who's kidding who, at 10 we probably would have still done it.  

oil on canvas board

8" x 8"

It"s A Beautiful Day

This is a scene which we've all seen if we are Lake of the Woods or like area visitors.  I know I have fished in similar areas over the years, and always marvel at pristine nature and the sheer beauty and peacefulness.  Doesn't get any better up here in the northern hemi.  This is a larger work which really conveys the feeling of this location.

oil on canvas

48" x 24"

Egg Study

This little egg study was a demo for the mini workshop I held for two budding oil painters. 

oil on canvas board

5' x 7" 

Bumble Bee

Nice little bumble bee study.

oil on canvas board

5" x 7"

Sea Gull

This little painting is part of a collection that I am preparing for my first art fair.  There will be seventy artists exhibiting at the beginnig of April 2025 and I am very excited to be included.

8' x 8"  

oil on canvas board

Strawberry Delight

This was the third demo from my last workshop.  Great subject and challenging to get that ice cream cone breathing.  Three of the participants tried it and ended up doing credible jobs which I was pleased to see.  I'm trying to instill the importance of drawing, values and edges in all the assignments I give, but it takes time and practice.  The harder you work the more talented you become.

8" x 8"

oil on canvs board 

Dairy Model

This lovely looking girl really knows how to strike a pose,  and was painted alla prima.  Using plenty of paint and mixing my colours and values prior to starting makes for a smoother and fresher result.  In preparing for my last workshop I brushed up on a few things that had been missing in my work and as a result took it up a notch.  We never stop learning, and part of that means remembering past lessons...ha!

oil on board

5 1/2" x 8"

Pumpkin Time

Tis the scary time of the year, and I wanted to do something seasonal to cap off the final day of the workshop.  Three of them tried it with some great success showing some growth as artists which was wonderful to see.  

8" x 8"

oil on canvas board

Jake

This commission was received at the recent E. St.Paul dog show.  I took a number of photos of this beautiful borzoi, and his owner decided on this pose which is perfect because it is an accurate depiction of the posture and demeanor of the breed.  I loved poainting Jake and met him a couple of times.  What a lovely boy inside and out.

oil on board

16" x 12"