Toning Canvas and a WIP

I have toned my canvas for several paintings that I have done, but the last two, plus the one I am working on now, I have not. I now understand why it is done. At least for me, it is very difficult to cover the white of the canvas with the paint that I am using for the painting. It takes a lot of paint and a lot of medium to get it to spread well enough to fill in all the nooks and crannies of the canvas and get that white covered. But, when you tone a canvas with a color that will work well with the finished painting, if you miss some spots, they are not very visible. In fact, the color of the toned canvas can work so well with the end picture that it actually enhances it. But, when I am in a hurry to get started on a picture and I don’t have a canvas, toned and dry and ready, I will use the white one and regret it. So, this morning, I decided to tone a few and hope they dry soon. I mixed alizarin crimson, phthalo blue, and azo yellow to make a nice neutral brown, added some flake white replacement, some solvent free gel, and some gamsol and painted it on. I wonder if I am the only one to have a toned canvas and think to myself, “Oh! That is so pretty! I hate to think of painting on it and messing it up…” LOL! I love the color and the texture. Toby, however, thinks it is all boring and he wants to go outside and play with the rabbits and the cats who are taking over the neighborhood.

Below is the painting I am working on right now. I am struggling with it: the bowl, the fabric, everything. I am determined to keep going and not give up. Yet… I need to work on my patience, anyway…

I am glad that I have a studio companion. Or two. Sometimes, the cat will come down and bother me. LOL! It is nice to be noticed…

“You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’” — Dave Barry