A little taste of South Africa

On a wet rainy day like today, when I'm looking out for inspiration for something to paint in the studio, all I need to do is check out my sister's instagram account (@poesy_by_sophie) which is full of beautiful photographs taken during her trips and adventures in Africa. A few weeks ago I found a gorgeous picture taken at the Citrusdal farm in South Africa and couldn't resist trying to depict the patches of light with paint. Here is the result below:

A glass of wine in the shade - Waterfall Farm Citrusdal - South Africa  oil on board 10"x10"

Detail

Detail

I've included below a few steps for those who like to see my process:

The finished painting

I'm saving this painting for a group show that will happen later this year London and which might well be the most exciting event of the year! (well at least for me!). I'll do a post about it very soon but all I can say now is save the date 16-20 October 2018!

Feel free to browse my website for all my available paintings:

www.valeriepirlot.com

And I'm also on Facebook 

www.facebook.com/valeriepirlotart

and Instagram

www.instagram.com/valeriepirlotart

I hope you have a wonderful week!

A bit of summer in the studio

Here are an other two paintings done in the studio while the baby sleeps... If I'm looking for inspiration and need some good reference photographs, I know I'll always find something inspiring in my sister's Instagram account... She takes the most beautiful pictures of her life in South Africa with her family (have a look here if you're curious: www.instagram.com/sophiepirlot). She has three adorable daughters and they make the best models for those pictures. I found two photographs that were begging to be painted, and they brought a little taste of summer back in the studio.

The painting below is Aprilia walking on a sunny path:

Sunny Path  8"x8" oil on board

Detail

Detail

Here are the step by step pictures for those who like to know more about my technique. As you can see below I work directly from the computer because it is convenient but also because an RGB display screen is generally richer that any printed pictures...

Step 1: I picked a background colour that fits the subject (something warm in this case), then applied a grid like on the reference photograph, then did a basic drawing.

Step 2: Bock out the darkest green and some mid tones

Step 3: Some lighter tones in the greens and work on the path

Step 4: Painting the figure

Step 5: Adding all the highlights and refining some details

Step 6: Stop now! Don't spoilt it! :-)

This second painting depicts Colombine and Aprilia heading to the swimming pool:

The gate to the swimming pool  10"x10"  oil on board

Detail

Detail

Here is the step by step:

(Note: I'm missing the picture of the basic drawing on step1 because I had left my phone in the baby's room to play the white noise app to get him to sleep! :-))
In this case I used a vivid orange background to convey the feeling of heat across the whole painting.

Step 2: Bock out the darkest greens and some mid tones

Step 3: Work on the figures and the background 

Step 4: Adding some highlights

Step 5: Adding more contrast and defining the shapes of the trees and gates

Step 6: Adding the flowers and final details

These paintings are not for sale as I'm keeping them in the family, but I just wanted to mention I'm available for similar commissions if you have a good inspiring photograph waiting to be painted! All my available paintings are for sale on my website here.

Also, with Christmas approaching, let me remind you that my 2017 calendars (desk and wall formats) are available for sale on my website here, alongside other products such as postcards and giclée prints. Worldwide shipping available.

Preparing the birthday party

I couldn't resist doing an other little study from my sister's lovely pictures of her daughters in South Africa. I'm probably just longing for those long hot summer days and this painting is like a little piece of summer in my studio.

Preparing the birthday party  10"x10"  oil on board

I have included below the step by step for those of you interested in my method. In case you wonder why there is a unused section on the right of the panel, it is simply because I don't have square panels so if I want to use such a shape, I pick the relevant rectangle size and then cut the unused section after the painting is finished. (well, when I say "I cut it", I mean my father-in-law who kindly cuts them for me and is definitely more habile than me with a saw!)

Step1

Step2

Step3

Step4

Step5

This painting is currently available for sale on my website www.valeriepirlot.com

Colombine's birthday

A few months ago, I did a series of 3 paintings from my sister's instagram photographs of her lovely daughters (click here to view them). I gave them to my sister as a present but my mum confessed she was rather jealous of it... It was her birthday last week so I decided to paint a similar painting just for her that includes her three granddaughters from my sister's side. I gave it to my mum a few days ago and she loves it so I'm happy too!

Colombine's birthday  12"x12"  oil on board

This painting was done again from an instagram photograph by my sister. It was taken during her daughter Colombine's birthday party in South Africa. She is the happy girl in the chair (or should I say 'throne') and the lady on the right is a 'professional fairy' that they had for the day to entertain the kids. You can see her applying removable girly tattoos on Colombine's arm. Next to Colombine, you can see her sister Aliénor, and behind her, her little sister Aprilia is having a walk around in the garden.

Here are below the few stages of the painting process:

Here are below a few details of the finished painting. I had great fun painting all the little girl's fairy dresses and cute hairstyles.

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Paintings from my sister's Instagram pictures...

While looking for studio work inspiration, I remembered my sister's beautiful pictures on Instagram. She currently lives in South Africa with her family and takes magical photographs of her three beautiful daughters in their daily lives. I won't post the original photographs as I like to leave a bit of mystery, but here is the result below. I ended up doing three paintings and I really enjoyed it. I love the green colourful summery feeling about them, which is a nice change from the wet and cold weather we are having here in England. 

My partner and I have just returned from a trip to Johannesburg to visit them and I took the three paintings in the plane with me to give them as a present for having us. They loved the paintings and we had such a wonderful time.

The first painting below is from my niece (and goddaughter) Aliénor's 8th birthday party. This little group of girls opening presents in the shade, surrounded by cushions and bunting is just too cute. I loved the way the trees are framing the scene and I liked the point of view taken from above. 

Aliénor's birthday - Johannesburg  11"x11"  oil on board

Here are a few of images of the progress of the painting:

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

In the group of girls, Aliénor is the one opening the present with her head looking down. Her sister Colombine is seating back at us wearing purple and turning her head towards us, and her little sister Aprilia is on the far right of the painting, probably making a move to run on the grass.

Detail of the finished painting

Detail of the finished painting

Below is a painting of Aliénor playing with balloons during her birthday party. I just loved her position here and her subtle expression. She is an amazing little girl, sweet and sensitive, and this painting summarises it to me.

Aliénor on her 8th birthday  11"x11"  oil on board

Here are a couple of images of the progress of the painting:

First stage - the drawing

Adding the colours

Detail of the finished painting

Detail of the finished painting

And below are the three sisters on holiday looking at the beautiful South African scenery. The view is breathtaking. I would love to paint there! I loved the warm light shining through the whole scene and reflecting on the girls' dresses.

My three nieces in South Africa  11"x11" oil on board

Here are a few of images of the progress of the painting:

First stage - the drawing

I had a little help from my mini assistant!

After blocking in all the colours

Detail of the finished painting

Detail (Aliénor)

Detail (Colombine)

Detail (Aprilia)

For information about commissions, don't hesitate to contact me
by email valpirlot1@hotmail.com