Aruna Nitin Fine Art

Cone flower and a bee

2011-11-03T23:01:00.008-05:00

Cone flower~Oil an canvas panel~5" x 7"

Here is the completed flower with a bee. Thanks to avid gardener, writer and bee enthusiast Pam Phillips for suggesting the subject for the painting.

Please contact aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

I got news that my tomato painting at the "Recent Works" show has been sold!

Cone flower background

2011-10-31T22:47:00.005-05:00

The background was painted wet in wet with different shades of green and pink and the colors were blended. I like the effect of the directional strokes, so I am going to retain that look. Next, I'll be painting the bee and the seedhead. Please come back and check it out.

Beginning a new painting

2011-10-29T23:08:00.003-05:00

Beginning stages of a cone flower and a bee. Oil painting on canvas panel. I'll work on the background next.

Plein Air painting

2011-10-05T21:03:00.005-05:00

Fall harvest~6"x6"~Acrylic on canvas

After a really long time, on Sunday, I attended a plein air painting session at the Perricone Garden Center in Volo, IL. They have created a variety of fall garden vignettes to inspire the artists. I chose to paint this grouping of pumpkin, kale and corn.

Recent Works Exhibition

2011-09-28T22:06:00.003-05:00

My oil painting 'Tomato' has been juried into the Recent Works 2011 show. The exhibition is at the College Of Lake County's Robert T. Wright Gallery from September 30 to November 6.
The opening reception is on Friday September 30 from 7 pm to 9 pm.
The college is located at 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake, IL 60030
For information, call 847-543-2240 or visit the gallery web page http://gallery.clcillinois.edu/

This great news should encourage me to get back to painting. I had a busy summer with guests and now the question is what to paint next?

Tomato - Completed Oil painting

2011-04-29T23:57:00.005-05:00

Tomato ~ 5" x 7" ~ Oil on panel

Here is the completed painting. I made finer adjustments to the tomato and added the highlight. Don't you think it makes the tomato so much more smooth, shiny and beleivable? I would love to hear your comments.

Tomato - Work in progress

2011-04-18T22:00:00.000-05:00

The water is complete at this stage. The tomato needs some more work.

Tomato - Work in progress

2011-04-17T15:02:00.005-05:00

Tomato ~ 5" x 7" ~ Oil on panel ~ Work in progress

Started a new painting. I am trying something different with this painting. Started on a completely black underpainting and I will also attempt a pool of water on the plate. Here are steps one and two of preliminary stages. Now the challenge to bring life into the tomato and water. Hmm...

Sunny Roses

2011-04-06T21:37:00.005-05:00

Sunny Roses ~ 11" x 14" ~ Watercolor

Here is my entry for the LCAL Spring show and critique at the Jack and Benny center for arts at Waukegan, IL. I dropped off the painting on Saturday Apr 2nd. The show runs from Apr 2 to May 16. Please stop by and take in the show if you are in the area.

I painted this on a 300 lb paper. So, I did not have to stretch the paper or tape it down. I have added pictures below to show the work in progress. I masked the tips of the top 3 petals. Lots of layers of color!

Gallery exhibition at Waukegan

2011-03-09T23:22:00.005-06:00

St. Veronica ~ Watercolor on paper ~ 20" x 30"

My art show "For the Love of Painting" will run from March 12 to April 29 at the Undercroft Gallery , 410 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL. The gallery is located in the basement of Christ Episcopal Church, Grand at MLK Jr. Ave.

Artist's reception: Saturday, April 9, from 2pm to 5 pm

10% of sales will be donated to the Karcher Lofts Artspace project in Waukegan.

All are invited to visit the gallery and enjoy the different mediums and subjects on display.

Girl with Pearl Earring - Oil on canvas

2011-01-27T19:02:00.004-06:00

Girl with Pearl Earring ~ Oil on extra fine canvas ~ 5" x 7" ~ $150

Here is my humble attempt at Vermeer's famous 'Girl with Pearl Earring'. I wanted to try something other than flowers and enjoyed painting it.

Please contact me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you would like to purchase this.

Orchids Oil painting 12"x16" - Completed

2010-11-21T18:48:00.002-06:00

Orchids ~ Oil on cradled hardbord panel ~ 12" x 16" ~ $350

Here is the completed painting. I have enjoyed painting it and also sharing my progress with you all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

Work in progress - orchids painting

2010-11-16T21:08:00.002-06:00

Orchids ~ Oil on cradled panel ~ 12" x 16"

Here is the some more...

Work in progress - new orchid painting

2010-11-15T18:09:00.000-06:00

Started a new painting of orchids. This one is in oils, 12" x 16". Please stop by later to see the next stages.

Gallery exhibition

2010-11-12T21:41:00.002-06:00

I will be exhibiting my floral paintings at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation gallery until the end of November.
An artist’s reception will be held on Saturday, November 13th from 1pm-4pm. 10% of the sales will be donated to the Open Arms Mission, Antioch, IL. For more information call the Gallery at 847-838-2274 during regular business hours: Th/Fr/Sa 10-4pm; Su 12-4pm

Please stop by if you are in the neighborhood and enjoy the art.

Spotted Orchid - Oil painting

2010-10-31T21:40:00.003-05:00

Spotted Orchid ~ Oil on stretched canvas ~ 6" x 6"

Another of my little orchid paintings. It has such beautiful patterns. Orchids come in so many different colors, shapes, textures, sizes. God is the greatest artist! Hope you like it.

Winner - Orchid Fall show

2010-10-09T20:13:00.002-05:00

I am exhibiting at the Illinois Orchid Society's Fall show at the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend (Oct 9 and Oct 10) from 10 am to 5 pm. I was thrilled this morning to learn that I got the first and second ribbons and the Best of Class for my Orchid paintings! The weather was beautiful and we had a good crowd today.

Pink Orchid - Oil painting

2010-10-05T22:42:00.004-05:00

Pink Orchid ~ 6" x 6" ~ Oil on canvas

A pink orchid oil painting on canvas. I like the delicate shadows on the petals. I have also posted the work in progress above.

Garden Spirit Oil painting - Completed

2010-10-04T20:41:00.002-05:00

Garden Spirit ~ Oil on canvas panel ~ 11" x 14"

Oops! I forgot to take the picture after I completed the painting. The above picture is taken when it was about 80% done. I'm displaying the framed, finished painting at the Jack Benny Center for Arts at Waukegan, IL as part of the Lake County Art League's fall show. It will be on display until November 15. Do stop by if you are in the neighborhood. I'll post the final picture when I get it back from the show. I am painting some small Orchid portraits for the Illinois Orchid Society's fall mini show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I will post them soon.

Garden Spirit - Work in progress

2010-09-27T21:30:00.006-05:00

I had taken a picture of this spirit house at "Gallery in the Garden" event at Woodstock, IL which is much loved and well attended. http://www.galleryinthegarden.org/

I have tried to show how I painted the straight edges of the wooden post. Make sure the surrounding paint is dry and then tear and stick a piece of drafting tape to create the edge. Now you can paint freely and then lift the tape. You'll get a clean edge. Please stop by later to see the completed painting.

Plein air painting - Crabtree Nature Center

2010-09-21T20:39:00.004-05:00

Crabtree Nature Center ~ 8" x 10" ~ Acrylic on canvas panel

I participated in a plein air painting session at the Crabtree Nature Center sponsored by the center, BCAC (Barrington Cultural Arts Center) and Dick Blick on September 19th, 2010.

Even though it rained earlier in the day, it then stopped and I had a great time painting with a group of wonderful artists. I had just finished painting the goose and a nice lady bought my painting! When it dawned on me that I had not taken a photo of my painting, I ran behind her and was able to take the photo. So, here it is.

Rose Garden conversations

2010-09-04T22:35:00.004-05:00

Conversations ~ 4" x 6" ~ Oil on canvas panel

A perfect spot for a conversation. Wonder what they are talking about. I had sketched this painting some time back and was finally able to complete it today.

Hydrangea - Completed Watercolor

2010-08-03T21:40:00.004-05:00

Hydrangea~5" x 7" ~ Watercolor

Here is the completed flower. I painted another layer of background on the top, painted the texture on leaves and deepened the color on some petals. I have intentionally blurred the edges on the flower in the left corner so that the focus remains on the main flower. Hope you like it. Please e-mail me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

Hydrangea - Watercolor WIP

2010-08-02T22:21:00.003-05:00

I started this 5" x 7" Hydrangea on Arches 140 lb hot press paper. Happens to be my favorite color. I have masked some spots on the right side of the flower. Sorry about the picture quality. Please come back later to check the completed work.

Chicago Botanic Garden -Triptych

2010-07-18T13:08:00.004-05:00

Chicago Botanic Garden ~ Triptych ~ 3 panels of each 6" x 12" ~ Oil on canvas ($350)

Summer is keeping me busy with everything other than painting! So I am posting this painting from some time back. Chicago Botanic Garden is a favorite place I frequently visit.

A picture of the painting in progress is below -

Martha Washington Geranium - Completed

2010-06-02T20:06:00.007-05:00

Martha Washington Geranium ~ Oil on Canvas panel ~ 5" x 7"

Here is the completed painting. I like the petals of this flower. They have such nice contrasting color and veins.

Martha Washington Geranium - In progress

2010-05-25T21:39:00.004-05:00

Here is the work in progress. I am painting this with oils on canvas panel, 5" x 7". Please stop by again to see the finished work.

Martha Washington Geranium

2010-05-20T21:55:00.004-05:00

The next painting is going to be this beautiful flower. I have seen many different varieties of geraniums, but this was new for me. Such wonderful patterns and contrast, even my cat seems to enjoy the flowers.

Anemone flowers - Completed

2010-05-05T17:28:00.005-05:00

Anemones~Acrylic on canvas panel~5" x 7"

Here is the completed painting. Hope you like it.

Anemone - Work in progress

2010-05-03T21:33:00.003-05:00

Here is a photo showing the next step. Please visit again to see the progress.

New painting WIP - Anemone

2010-05-02T22:57:00.005-05:00

I have started a new painting. I have posted the 2 pictures to show the steps in progress. Please visit again to see the progress. This one is in acrylics on canvas panel.

Golden kitty

2010-04-08T21:55:00.004-05:00

Golden Kitty ~ 5" x 7" ~ Acrylic

Another painting of my cute little kitty with wonderful soft, silky hair.

Rose - Completed

2010-03-16T19:21:00.006-05:00

Peach Rose ~ 6" x 6" ~ Watercolor

Thanks for all your comments. I painted sevaral layers to get the rich dark background. Hope you enjoy the completed version. I have listed this on eBay. Click here to bid

Rose - Work in progress

2010-02-28T22:30:00.003-06:00

My new watercolor painting in progress. I think I'll go for a dark background.

Cat with yarn

2010-02-17T20:27:00.004-06:00

Cat with Yarn~Acrylic~5"x7"

My calico cat grabbing on to the yarn. She can play for hours even with the simplest of things and also finds the sunny spots in the house. Please e-mail me if you are interested in purchasing this work.

Foxgloves at Members Exhibition

2010-01-24T12:29:00.005-06:00

Members Exhibition~Robert T. Wright Gallery of Art

My oil painting Foxgloves (18"x 18") is on display at the Members Exhibition at the College of Lake County, IL until February 21. The opening reception was on January 15 and well attended. I enjoyed conversations with many of my artist friends.
For information, call 847-543-2240 or the gallery web page http://gallery.clcillinois.edu/

My cat - I

2010-01-14T17:30:00.001-06:00

Cat - I ~ Acrylic ~ 5" x 7"

Here is my cat sitting by the window taking in the morning sun. I worked on Claybord for this painting. The subtle reflections in the window pane was a challenge but I am happy with the end result.

My Kitten

2010-01-04T21:45:00.003-06:00

I adopted a kitten and am having a wonderful time with her. She is a beautiful calico, adorable and palyful. I have taken plenty of pictures and might paint one soon. I have never painted a cat, so I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Foxgloves - 12" x 12" - Acrylic on canvas panel

2009-12-01T21:16:00.012-06:00

Foxgloves ~ Acrylic ~ 12" x 12" ~ $225 (Framed size 15.5" x 15.5")

Thought I would post this painting of Foxgloves that I did some time back. I have the following picture when it was in progress.

Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this.

Yellow Orchids - Completed

2009-11-18T21:27:00.006-06:00

Yellow Orchids ~ Watercolor ~ 11" x 14"

Here is the finished piece. I like the rich royal blue background for these yellow orchids. I want to see how it looks in a frame. Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this.

Yellow Orchids - Work in Progress

2009-11-13T21:57:00.002-06:00

Here is a picture after painting the second layer of background. Much better don't you think?
I have painted the center petals. Little bit finishing touches and I'll be done.

Yellow Orchids - Work in Progress

2009-11-10T17:57:00.003-06:00

I worked on the background so that I could see the flower clearly. This first layer is quite splotchy. I hate this stage when the background looks like this. But the next layer should fix it. Patience! I tell myself.

Yellow Orchids - Work in progress

2009-11-09T18:38:00.006-06:00

I was craving to paint a watercolor for quite some time and decided to paint these yellow orchids in watercolor. The size is 11" x 14" on 300lb paper, that I don't need to stretch. Here is a link to few of my watercolor paintings: Aruna's watercolors

The colors on these yellow orchids are so delicate that I can hardly see anything at this stage. Instead of painting the center petals, I will paint the background next. This will help my eyes and I can also judge the values better.

When the flowers are really pale like these, I sometimes paint the delicate shadows first before painting the petals.

Nuttington Lake - Completed

2009-10-14T22:42:00.006-05:00

Nuttington Lake ~ Water mixable oil on panel ~ 9" x 12"

Here is the completed painting of Nuttington lake with a little place for birds to rest. Hope you like it.

Nuttington Lake - Work in progress

2009-10-08T18:00:00.003-05:00

I have painted the background trees. There will be a small rock island where the birds rest. I'll paint that next.

New painting - Nuttington Lake

2009-10-04T23:29:00.004-05:00

I used to live in Billerica, MA and had to pass by this lake every day to work. It was a pleasure to see it change over the seasons. My colleague has a home by this beautiful lake and we have enjoyed several summer BBQs by this lake. I will be painting the background trees next.

Orchids - part of Members show at Jack Benny Center

2009-10-04T16:44:00.002-05:00

My painting Orchids (previous post) is currently on display at the Lake County Art League members Fall show at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts.

It will be on display until November 16, 2009. The address for the center is 39 Jack Benny Drive, waukegan, IL and Phone: 847-360-4700

Please stop by and enjoy the show.

Orchids - Final

2009-09-21T22:08:00.014-05:00

Orchids ~ 24" x 36" ~ Water mixable Oil on stretched canvas

Here is the completed painting. It has taken me a long time to complete this piece, but I have enjoyed every bit of the process. The background is a rich gradation of blue, lighter at the top, gradually becoming rich dark at the bottom. Doesn't show too well in this picture.

Here is a close up of a section of the painting... Hope you like it.

Orchids - Work in progress - Flower details

2009-09-02T17:15:00.000-05:00

I worked on the other petals of the center flower. I have added the first layer of red shading. Will be refining that more once the paint dries. I have to move on to the shading on the adjoining flowers.

Orchids - Work in progress

2009-08-27T22:20:00.004-05:00

Here I have worked on some of the petals. The two white petals will be next...

New painting in progress - Orchids

2009-08-24T22:25:00.006-05:00

I am working on this huge painting (24" x 36") of Orchids. You can see the closeup details in the first 2 photos. I'll start painting the petals a shade of peachy yellow with lots of pink radiating veins.

Yellow Pansies - Final, SOLD

2009-07-31T20:14:00.002-05:00

Yellow Pansies ~ 6" x 6" ~ Acrylic on stretched canvas ~ SOLD

Here is the finished painting. Did a lot of minor refinements and veins on the petals. Hope you like it.

Yellow Pansies - 3

2009-07-30T19:00:00.000-05:00

I painted leaves and background. I layered the big pansy with orange veins. I can't wait to paint the center of the flowers.

Yellow Pansies - 2

2009-07-29T21:24:00.003-05:00

This is how it looks so far. I am painting this in acrylic medium.

Yellow Pansies - 1

2009-07-29T21:17:00.004-05:00

I started painting these beautiful pansies. This is a reference from the Chicago Botanic garden.

Garden Walk - Plein Air

2009-07-21T18:35:00.005-05:00

Grandma's planter ~ 9" x 12" ~ Acrylic on canvas panel

After a nice vacation, I am back to blogging. I was invited to paint at one of the gardens selected for the Antioch Garden Walk. It was a beautiful garden with fragrant roses and a really nice host. After I wandered around the garden and took pictures of the roses, I decided on this subject for my plein air. I had never seen something like this before and did not really know what it was, but I thought it made a nice flower planter. (I was told by the host that it was her grandma's coffee grinder). I was attracted to the rustic beauty, the shadows, the bright red geraniums and the little pink blossoms swaying gently in the breeze. It was a wonderful day and the owner of the house also bought one of my flower prints. My thanks to all gardeners out there for bringing so much beauty into life!

Plein Air checklist

2009-06-02T18:50:00.004-05:00

I enjoy plein air (painting on location) with a couple of artist members from the Lake County Art League. I have struggled to remember all the supplies I would need. So, I made myself a checklist of all the things I may need. Although I may not take everything on this list, it will help me decide quickly, based on location and weather conditions. Here is my list for acrylic or watercolor media.

Hat
Canvas/Paper
Paints - acrylic/watercolor
Brushes in holder
Water container
Bottle of water.
Mist sprayer (to keep acrylic paints wet and for other effects)
Palette (I use a disposable paper palette for acrylic)
Easel (I use a valpod which has tripod with a attachment for board and palette holder)
Sketch book
Pencil
Kneaded eraser
Paper towels
Artist apron
Drop cloth/table cloth
My reading glasses!
Camera - check battery, memory card
Business cards
Insect repellent, SPF
Nuggets of dark chocolate and water bottle.
Artcomber (This is a product I can't do without. It can hold all your supplies in and also doubles as a chair and has good wheels to roll on the entire bag)
Driving directions/GPS to the location.
Wallet with driver's license! (In the frenzy, we might sometimes forget this)

Well this is my list. Let me know what works for you.

Slideshow of my paintings

2009-05-25T17:59:00.002-05:00

I added a slideshow of my paintings. You can click on the pictures to see a bigger photo. The details of the paintings can be viewed at my website www.arunanitin.com

Thank you for browsing...

Tulips - Final, SOLD

2009-05-19T22:10:00.005-05:00

Tulips ~ 6" x 6" ~ Oil on stretched canvas ~ SOLD

Here it is...the completed tulips. I refined a lot of details. Mainly the leaves and repositioned some of the blue flowers in the background. Hope you like it.

Tulips - 5

2009-05-18T22:00:00.001-05:00

The flowers now come alive with the details in the center. Need more work on the leaves.

Tulips - 4

2009-05-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Here I worked on the background. I did not want the bright yellow flowers in the background (from the reference picture) to compete with the main tulips. I used the complement blue flowers instead. I can't wait to finish the center of the flowers.

Tulips - 3

2009-05-16T21:42:00.002-05:00

I started with water-mixable oils and began with the yellows first, then orange and then red. I blocked in the background with dark and light greens.

Tulips

2009-05-14T19:10:00.000-05:00

My new work in progress. These look more like yellow tulips at this point. Sometimes I use the yellow underpainting to give warmth. These will eventually become reddish orange tulips. This first layer is in acrylics.

Tulips

2009-05-13T20:15:00.000-05:00

I will be painting this next. Feel free to use the reference picture if you want to paint.

Plein air session - Kingfisher

2009-05-11T18:59:00.007-05:00

"Kingfisher" 6" x 6" Acrylic on stretched canvas

On Saturday, I went to the Field Museum of Natural History with a group of artists from Lake County Art League for a plein air (painting on location) session. Even though my paintings on location never look finished, I keep going because I enjoy the whole experience. This time, I am very happy with the result. I guess sometimes you get lucky!

Purple pansies - Final, SOLD

2009-05-07T21:04:00.007-05:00

Here it is, the finished piece. "Purple Pansies", 6"x6" acrylic on stretched canvas. As you can see, I have changed some elements from the original reference. Do you know which ones? You can write to me in the comments section as to what you think has been changed from the reference, and whether you like the change.

I will share the answer later.

Purple pansies

2009-05-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

Work_In_Progress...

Purple pansies

2009-05-05T22:00:00.002-05:00

Work-In-Progress... I am painting this on a stretched canvas 6" x 6" in Acrylic medium.

Purple pansies

2009-05-04T22:00:00.002-05:00

I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden over the weekend, my favourite place in Chicago. I took this picture of purple pansies, so fresh and colorful! I will be painting this next. Feel free to use the picture if you like to paint it yourself. I can send you a bigger picture if you need one.

Peruvian Vase - Final

2009-05-03T10:00:00.001-05:00

Here is the final version. Smoothed out the background, put highlights on the flowers and the lip of the vase, darkened the shadow under the vase etc., etc... Finally, signed it! I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

The painting is 9" x 12" on Raymar canvas panel. If you are interested in purchasing "Peruvian Vase", please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com

Peruvian Vase - Details

2009-05-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

I completed the lace, the shadows and the pattern on the vase. I like the colors on the vase a lot! That's what got me to paint it in the first place.

I always love flowers, that's a different thing.

Peruvian Vase - Evaluation

2009-05-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

I had initially decided to go all white lace below the vase. But after evaluating, I felt that the painting may look top heavy (because of the darker background). So I decided to show the background at the bottom so that the painting looks anchored and balanced. Then I was really looking for a simple lace pattern. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Peruvian Vase - Background

2009-04-30T21:00:00.001-05:00

I worked on the background with water mixable oils. A bluish gray around the vase (to complement the orange hue from the vase), becoming more darker at the edges.

Peruvian Vase - Flowers and vase

2009-04-30T18:00:00.003-05:00

The next 2 stages , still using acrylics to block in.

Peruvian Vase - Rough block in

2009-04-30T00:32:00.004-05:00

This is the rough block in using acrylics. I use acrylics in the beginning stages because they dry quickly. I will be painting using Water mixable Oils later on.

Peruvian Vase

2009-04-30T00:08:00.007-05:00

This is one of the many vases that my husband and son bought from their vacation at Peru. I liked the native design on this small vase and wanted to paint it. I will share pictures of the work in progress with you.