Ella Chiang 12/25/24 Ella Chiang 12/25/24

Oranges Dark No. 04

The rightmost orange in the bowl has a funny right side.

A small oil painting featuring a bowl of oranges against a dark background — Oranges Dark No. 04

Before painting, I typically sketch the objects and shade in where the shadows are. This helps me know where to place my paint.

Two preliminary sketches for two paintings featuring a bowl of oranges — Sketches before painting

Here’s all four of the paintings together and there are subtle differences between each one like variation in the background and color of the oranges.

Four small oil paintings featuring a bowl of oranges against a dark background. The paintings are laid out in a two by two formation. — All four Oranges Dark paintings

And finally, a palette shot.

A color palette featuring white, blue, red, and orange oil paints — The palette I used for these paintings

Ella Chiang 12/23/24 Ella Chiang 12/23/24

Oranges Dark No. 03

Third attempt. The oranges at the top of the bowl look particularly cute in this one. I put more emphasis on the little dot where the stem would be.

Ella Chiang 12/18/24 Ella Chiang 12/18/24

Oranges Dark No. 02

Another version. Trying some different strokes in the background - horizontal vs vertical.

A small oil painting featuring a bowl of oranges on a dark background — Oranges Dark No. 02

Ella Chiang 12/16/24 Ella Chiang 12/16/24

Oranges Dark No. 01

So, here I wanted to paint a dark background to try something different this time. I usually favor lighter colored backgrounds and brighter, airier paintings. A dark background can make the painting feel more moody or serious.

A small oil painting of a bowl of oranges against a dark background — Oranges Dark No. 01

Ella Chiang 12/11/24 Ella Chiang 12/11/24

Blue and White Cup No. 04

Now we’re so zoomed in here, we’re just looking at the pattern. This was kind of like my abstract, chill painting.

A blue and white triangle geometric pattern painting