"Pike's Place Market" - 46 x 31 in - Oil on Canvas
(Day One)

The Path IV

"The Path IV" - 7 x 5 in - Oil on Board click to bid

Visit my eBay Store....

I recently uploaded a few available paintings to my eBay store including:


Discovery Park II, 6 x 8 in Oil on Board


Pond Near Mt Rainier, 7 x 5 in Oil on Board


Snoqualmie Waterfall, 7 x 5 in Acrylics on Board

I have been playing with Golden Open Acrylics for about a week now and I am very impressed with them. Soon I will post a few samples of what I have been working on.

My new setup.... and work

New Setup - I have gotten rid of the clutter in my studio. Using a few 2x4's and a sheet of MDF board, I built a new palette table. The painting is what I am currently working on. The location is a few blocked back on Pike looking down at the Market.

Also Working on ...

Untitled - 24 x 18 in - Acrylic Sketch on Canvas

I am using black acrylic paint and white gesso to sketch out the composition of this painting. Eventually, once the values are refined a little more I will use oils. This scene is a few blocks back from Pikes Place Market. I want to make this as complex as I can so it will be a slow progress.

Day Two (in progress)

Elliott Bay - 32 x 21in - oil on canvas (in progress)

Day One (under painting)

"Elliott Bay" - 32 x 21 in - Oil on Canvas - by Nick Orban

This is the painting I am currently working on. I start with two blank canvases (8x10 & 32x21)using the 8x10 to test my color choices and composition. At this stage, I am focusing mainly on the large abstract shapes and values. I tend to find the details as I go by keeping the brush strokes loose. In the begining phase, I use a mixture of 5 parts turp, 1 part damar varnish, and 1 part stand oil to thin the paint and a 6 cup cupcake pan as a palette.

*The music is from The String Quartet Tribute to Radiohead

Day One - Underpainting

(underpainting)Elliott Bay - 21 x 32in - oil on canvas

New painting (BIG) still in progress

Work for Upcoming Show in August (still in progress)

The Path to Discovery Beach - 14 x 11 in - Oil on Canvas



Storm Clouds over Field - 14 x 10.5 in - Oil on Canvas



From the Fremont Bridge - 20 x 16 in - Oil on Canvas



The Falls - 24 x 18 in - Oil on Canvas

I am having a show on August 7th 2009, in Fremont for First Friday at the Fremont Jewelry Design. I will post more info when I can.

My New Kick Ass Easel (that I built)

I built this easel from scratch, using 1 x 2's from the lumberyard and a few screws and hardware. The idea had been in my mind for a while. I wanted an easel that could adjust to accommodate larger and multiple canvases. Now I can work on a few paintings at once. It will make it a lot easier to paint diptychs and triptychs

ACEO Sail Boat - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

ACEO Sail Boat - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban
SOLD

ACEO Garden - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

ACEO Garden - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban
SOLD

Rushing Water - 5 x 7 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

Rushing Water - 5 x 7 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

ACEO Creek - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

ACEO Creek - Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

SOLD

ACEO Pathway- Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

ACEO Pathway - 3.5 x 2.5 in Oil Painting on Board - Nick Orban

SOLD

The Public Market - 12 x 9 in - Oil on Canvas - by Nick Orban

The Public Market - 12 x 9 in - Oil on Canvas
I have not put this painting up for bidding on ebay, however it is for sale, if you are interested please contact me by email

High Tide, Elliott Bay - 10 x 8 in - Oil onBoard Nick Orban

High Tide, Elliott Bay - 10 x 8 in - Oil on Board

The Way -( Plein Air ) - 5 x 7 in Oil on Board

The Way -( Plein Air ) - 5 x 7 in Oil on Board - by Nick Orban

The-Path, Discovery Park- 6 x 8 in Oil/Brd- Nick Orban

The-Path, Discovery Park- 6 x 8 in Oil/Brd- Nick Orban

Sail Boat I - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

Sail Boat I - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

Snoqualmie Falls II - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

Snoqualmie Falls II - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban

Snoqualmie Falls I - 10 x 8 in Oil/Board

Snoqualmie Falls I - 10 x 8 in Oil/Board - Nick Orban

Discovery Park III - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board

Discovery Park III - 6 x 8 in Oil on Board- Nick Orban
Place Bid on eBay

Discovery Park II, Seattle 6 x 8 in Oil Painting on Board

Discovery Park II, Seattle - 6 x 8 in - Oil Painting on Board - by Nick Orban
Place Bid on eBay

New Slideshow...

Visit my website to see more of my work. If your in the Seattle area come by the Blue Star Cafe & Pub May 6th at 6 to 9pm for my next show. I will also be displaying work at ArtFX in Fremont the following Friday. Hope to see you there.

What I'm Working on Right Now, for the Show May 6th

New Shows

I am going to be participating in two Art Walks in May one is Wallingford and the other in Fremont. The first is May 6th at Blue Star Cafe & Bar from 6 - 9pm. The second is at ArtFX in Fremont. I will be posting the paintings I have been working on for them soon.

South Beach, Discovery Park, Seattle

This oil painting is 12in x 18in on board. The view is from the South Beach of Discovery Park in Seattle. The finished piece will be part of my show at Blue Star in Wallingford, May 6th. I will post more soon.

Step Two

Step One

Newly Listed Paintings

I have just updated my ebay store as you can see by the left column of this blog. All images are available now, just click to view details and to purchase. All the images are directly linked to my store. Thank you.

Nick

Discovery Park - 6 x 8 in - Oil on Board

Discovery Park - 6 x 8 in - Oil on Board - by Nick Orban - Sold

"Daffodils in Bloom" - 6 x 8 in - Oil on Board - by Nick Orban

"Daffodils in Bloom" - 6 x 8 in - Oil on Board - by Nick Orban
On eBay now - "Click to Bid"

NEW ACEO's Available Now!!!

ACEO's (Art Card Originals and Editions) are collectible cards of artwork measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches. These are a few of my newer ones, they are available now in my eBay store


"Cows Came Home" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Grazing" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Hay" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Riverbend" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Elliott Bay I" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Elliott Bay II" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay


"Elliott Bay III" - 3.5 x 2.5 in (ACEO) - Original Oil - Nick Orban
$20.oo on eBay

"Still Waiting" - Step by Step Oil Painting Demo

"Still Waiting" - 7 x 5 in - Oil on Board - by Nick Orban


Step Four
This is where I begin to model and render the forms. Keeping in mind the direction of light and the temperature of the colors. This part took the longest, but it is also the most fun.



Step Three
Adding white to the mix, I layout the higher middle tones, leaving the board blank for the highlights.

Step Two
Then using more Burnt Sienna and Yellow Ochre I added the basic middle tones

Step One
I start by quickly blocking in the composition, using a mixture of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue

The Sketch

Two New Oil Paintings on eBay!!!

"Reflections"- 8 x 6 in - Original Oil Painting - by Nick Orban
Click to place bid on eBay

"Small Creek" 7 x 5 in - Original Oil Painting - by Nick Orban
Click to place bid on eBay

Currently Working on.....

"In the Rain" - 14 x 18 in - Oil on Canvas - by nick orban

Seattle Streets (in progress) - 16 x 20 in - Oil on Board - Nick Orban

Seattle Streets (in progress) - 16 x 20 in - Oil on Board - Nick Orban

The Shore (in progress) - 16 x 20 in - Oil on Board - Nick Orban

The Shore (in progress) - 16 x 20 in - Oil on Board - Nick Orban



The Video is the progression of Day One. My process is pretty basic, I start by mixing a pool of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. I use a six cup cupcake pan for a palette at this point, it makes it easy to load up the brush and its less messy. With in the first 10 mins I will try to block in the composition and basic drawing (min 1:24 in the video). Then I added more of the two colors together causing the mix to become thicker, leaning towards the cooler side. I establish my darks, keeping in mind the direction of the light.

Once I am satisfied with the drawing, I mix up a blue-gray by adding white to my mixture (still using the cupcake pan). Then I lay in the ground. Since the waves are receding away from the shore I try to add what will be the sky color to the ground near the water. After the ground and water is in I begin to block in the sky.

When I paint skies I will limit my palette and just think about value and shapes. I never really know how the sky will look when I start, its one of those things you figure out as you go. I often find the clouds in between brush strokes and either enhance them or paint over them. From that point in the video, you will see a time-lapse. Since it was mostly detail work and reworking, I condensed it.

If you have any questions for me please send me an email or leave a comment below. Thanks.

#150 Seattle Streets - 7 x 5 in - Oil on Canvas Board - by nick orban

Seattle Streets - 7 x 5 in - Oil on Canvas Board - by Nick Orban
Place a bid on eBay Starting Bid is only $65