Primaries

"Primaries," oil on panel, 6x8

This small oil painting is from a larger series of still life studies I did perhaps twenty years ago. The purposes of those studies were multiple. First, since these works were small they could be finished in a single sitting. Second, they offered an opportunity to compare paint brands, types of brushes, various supports (gesso panels vs bristol for example), and more. They offered an opportunity to paint alla prima and loosely, trying hard to capture the essence of the subject. They also provided daily practice and an impetus to keep going. All in all the series was great fun, useful, and productive. 

"Primaries" refers to the three traditional primary colors--red, blue and yellow. These paints were in aluminum tubes. The brand and lettering were omitted as irrelevant, though many oil painters may recognize the format.