Hand Drill, completed

Here is the final result of some months of work on the hand drill painting. Below are a few more photos of work in progress since my last post.


I took this as I began to finish the lower part of the drapery and the drill.


Going a little further to refine the drapery and the values.

I began this painting in November 2007, put it aside for quite a while, and picked it up again in December of 2008.

Yes, I had the set up in my studio for all those months! I needed to move it a few times, so the drapery was disturbed from its original position. I rearranged the drapery as I worked.

If you compare the finished piece to the "in progress" photos in this and the previous post, you will see changes in the drawing, the edges, and the drapery of the lower half.

Normally, I try to keep all parts of a painting moving forward at the same pace, but this one had "arrested development." For all these reasons, the top and bottom parts of the painting were completed at different times.

Thanks to everyone who gave feedback on the "in progress" post!

24" x 12" oil on linen panel

No price on this one yet, but if you are interested in a purchase, contact me at info@carollambertarts.com

Hand Drill, Work in Progress

This is something new for me, posting an unfinished painting. Because I have been working on this one for quite a while, posts to the blog have slowed down. Also, getting my website redesigned and launched accounts for some of the delay, I am so glad that project is done! But I want you to know I am still painting, and this is what I am working on.

This still has the appearance of the monochrome underpainting. I have started to add a bit of color in the red and green parts of the drill. I love its subtle rusts, patinas, and worn paint, and these muted colors will be an important part of the finished piece. As you can see, I also enjoy working with drapery.

This is not the first painting I have made of a complex tool, but it is the largest one so far. I plan to do more, and have a wonderful line-up of models just waiting for me to get to them. They all look treasured and well used. For me they carry a direct connection to the hands that held them, the care that went into their use, the value of the work they accomplished. The drapery feels right, paying homage to their democratic, honest power.

I hope to have this one finished shortly. There is a lot of work left to do on the lower drapery, in the shadows, and the gear wheel is a wonderful green, got to get that just right. The handle for turning the gear needs work, and all those gear teeth, have to adjust them until everything reads correctly. Not quite in the home stretch yet on this one. I will post the finished painting.

I wonder if you will find it interesting to see a painting in progress? Please let me know. If this is a success with readers, more "in progress" posts will appear.

Alaskan Onion

Finally back to painting after reorganizing my studio. I have also been getting my website revised and ready for relaunch (soon!) Here is the result of my First Friday demonstration at Charlie's Club 25. A beautiful Alaskan onion, which came in my most recent Glacier Valley Farms produce box. I love it when vegetables look like they just came from the farm, as this one does. (And I loved it yesterday when it became part of a delicious butternut squash soup.) Thanks to everyone who came by to say hello while I was painting!


6" x 8" oil on linen panel

To purchase, contact Fireweed Gallery in Homer, AK.
907 235 3411