Glazed

Emily Bickell takes a new approach in her recent paintings, working from the most detailed elements to the simplest

- Emily Bickell

Strawberry Swirl, oil on cradled wood, 8 x 8 (20 x 20 cm) It was absolutely joyful to paint this complex donut because of all the colors and textures involved in the toppings, including the shiny glaze, matte whipped icing and various types of sprinkles.

Lately, I have been working on a series of small oil paintings of food. I have been painting with oils for many years, creating fairly realistic large-scale paintings of water, birds and flowers. When I taught painting classes, I demonstrated primarily with still life, and my recent return to this subject reminds me of the value of still life for honing observation and color sense. These small paintings are relatively fast and very enjoyable to do.

I usually paint my subjects from background to foreground, but I take a different approach with these small still life paintings: I begin with the most challenging and detailed element and work towards the larger and simpler areas of color. Small surface details (like sprinkles) are the final touch, but for the most part, I am finishing as I go.

My small still life paintings are on cradled wood panels, between 8 and 12 inches square. The panel surface allows for precise brushstrokes and clean lines. I first tape the edges off with masking tape to preserve the attractive wood sides, and then prepare the surface by alternately sanding and applying three coats of gesso. There remains some residual texture from brushing the gesso on; it is not as rough as canvas, nor as smooth as pre-primed or sprayed.