The Red Bel Air - Step by Step of a Classic Car Painting

I have been thinking about a number of ideas for a few new car paintings. They are always fun and challenging to do with all of the highlights and reflections. Instead of thinking about what I am actually painting, I have to concentrate just on shapes. It is always intriguing to me how these shapes eventually come together. It seems so abstract while I am working on it - then at some point you step back and realize, wow - that actually looks like something!

Anyways, here is "Red Bel Air" step by step:

Sketching the basic outline:

Laying in blocks of color - I like to do this to check out the composition and accuracy of my drawing. It is still easy to change things at this point:

Starting to play with the shapes - just looking at all the little shapes of different colors, not thinking about what the shapes actually are:

Moving through different parts of the painting - starting to see some of the shapes coming together:

 Getting close to done! This is when I look at it as a whole and make any changes/additions to make sure it all works together and is cohesive:

The finished painting:

"Red Bel Air"
10 x 10", acrylic on canvas

I believe it is a '55 Chevy Bel Air by the way - the 1950's seem to be my favorite decade for car designs! If you are interested in seeing more of my classic car paintings, you check them out in the category view on my DailyPaintworks site here: Classic Cars

"Red Bel Air" is currently hanging at the Newburyport Art Association's Spring Members Exhibition in Newburyport, Massachusetts through April 29th.

Time Traveler

I frequently get asked about how I come up with a set up for still lifes. This is how I came up with the arrangement that I used for "Time Traveler" - one of my newest acrylic paintings.

I was faced with the deadline for a juried exhibit with a theme. I kinda love exhibitions with a theme - they tend to make me think a little outside of the box. The theme of this show is "The Art of Mapping" - the art had to be related to maps in some way.

So, into my mind pops the idea of using an really old, ornate map in a still life, along with an antique pocket watch I picked up at a flea market and a small old wood chest - with the whole thing just kind of talking about the past. Well, as I searched my prop shelf for the pocket watch, I ran across a tin toy version of a 40's woodie station wagon. I love tin toys - and I start thinking to myself, "why haven't I used this in a painting yet?" I've been thinking a lot lately about how much of my art is about 1940's and 50's era things - signs, diners, motels, toys, cars, etc. Then, with the car, my thoughts turn to the idea of a 50's road trip. I started looking for a 50's era map so that I could align with the mapping theme and I ran into the colorful United States kids' jigsaw puzzle from that same period. Perfect!

A little juggling around with the layout, and soon I come up with a layout that made me happy. Somewhat different from my standard still lifes, but a lot of fun to paint - and it gave me lots of ideas for more paintings.

Time Traveler

10 x 10 inches, acrylic on canvas

And - best of all - "Time Traveler" was accepted into the juried exhibition "The Art of Mapping" at the Newburyport Art Association in Newburyport, Massachusetts. It will be on display through March 19th.

Little Red - Acrylic Painting of VW Beetle by Debbie Shirley

Little Red

8 x 8 inches

acrylic on canvas

I enjoyed doing the small version of this old VW so much, that I decided to paint it a little larger for the Newburyport Art Association's 8 Cubed exhibition.

Do you have a classic car that you would like to have painted for a memento (or gift)? Contact me to discuss!

Road Trip - Acrylic Painting of Classic VW Camper by Debbie Shrley

Road Trip

6x6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

SOLD

Love the older VW camper vans - I've always wanted a pop-up! And I love the feeling of hitting the road....ready for adventure!

This painting sold quickly. Limited edition prints are available at my ShirleyPrints etsy store here.

Ruby Red - Small Acrylic Painting of a Classic VW Beetle

Ruby Red

6x6 inches

acrylic on cradled panel

Loved this classic VW beetle! Fun shapes and reflections - and a great color to work with. I have been enjoying going to car shows and cruise nights - more car paintings will probably be in the future.

Rear Reflection - Acrylic Painting of a Classic Car

Rear Reflections

12 x 12 inches

acrylic on canvas

This painting was also accepted into the Newburyport Art Association's Fall Juried Show! On exhibit through November 21st.

I did a similar painting of this vintage Hudson a few years back. I'd like to get back into painting some of these classic cars - but a little larger this time around! Gotta admit my favorite part...notice the landscape reflected in the bumper......

Red 72 - Classic Car Painting SOLD

Red 72

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

Another Christmas commission....

BMW 2002 - Classic Car Painting SOLD

1973 BMX 2002

6 x 6 inches 

acrylic on board

SOLD

I am still doing a few minor tweaks to this one, but it is mostly done!
It is a commission for a local car buff....

On the Road - Painting of Car

On the Road

6x6 inches

acrylic on board

I delivered the last three classic car paintings to Pop Gallery today despite all the heat and humidity (not very helpful in getting varnish to dry!). I then spent the afternoon with the kids at the beach  ;-)
Next I think I will be taking a little break from the vintage cars to work on a few show entries and some small pieces.

I attended the opening reception for "From the Garden" at the Gallery Della-Piana in Wenham, Massachusetts last night. What a thrill to see my work on the walls there! It was a lovely show - a lot of very diverse work, but well curated and hung. Here is a little sneak peek of the wall where my two paintings (the iris and the sunflower) are hung:

The show runs through the end of August, so be sure to check it out if you are ever on the North Shore!

'62 Corvette - Classic Vintage Auto Painting SOLD

'62 Corvette

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

I so love this car! I am not a huge Corvette fan, but this one is just beautiful! It took part in our local Memorial Day parade, so I was lucky enough to get a chance to check it out while I was waiting for the cub scouts to line up.

I love the way the headlights and the chrome below look like a face - does anyone else see that, or is it just me? I imagine you may be seeing more of this car in the future.

'62 Corvette and a few additional vintage car paintings will be joining the rest of this series at Pop Gallery in Gloucester as long as this super hot and humid weather lets the varnish dry on time!

Sunny Stingray - Painting of Classic Corvette

Sunny Stingray

6x6 inches

acrylic on board

This is the same classic 1970 or 71 corvette that I painted previously (here). In looking at the grouping of paintings, I decided to make this one yellow.

The bunch of vintage auto paintings that were completed last week have been hung at Pop Gallery in Gloucester. I plan to deliver some more at the end of this week, but with the kids getting out of school for the summer mid-day tomorrow, it should be a challenge! Pop Gallery is a super fun place filled with all kinds of quirky and unique items, and I am very excited to have some of my work there.

Classic Corvette - Small Vintage Auto Painting SOLD

Classic Corvette

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

Another in my vintage auto series. Beautiful blue Corvette Stingray - probably 1970 or 71. It's got the egg-crate vents on the side - maybe the focus of another painting? Anyways all the chrome and reflections are proving continuously challenging. There was a whole landscape in the bumper of the Hudson! Now the question is how to decide which vehicle to paint next.......

On another note - I'm attempting some sourdough bread today. A knitting friend gave me a starter so I know I need to at least give it a try. It's been years since I've baked any bread - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it comes out good!

Vintage Hudson - Classic Auto Car Detail Painting SOLD

Vintage Hudson

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

Love this Hudson! I think it lives here in town...I've seen it around a few times. Maybe a '49?

Wonderful reception at MiXtMedia Gallery last night. Lots of friendly people, great food & music - and the show looks great, too  ;-)  Some wonderful new work there - I'm thrilled to be a part of the show. Be sure to check it out if you are ever near Ipswich, Massachusetts.....

Still preparing for two more shows - and the kids only have a week of school left. Yikes!

Ford Falcon - Vintage Classic Auto Painting

Ford Falcon

6x6 inches

acrylic on board

Another in my "classic rides" series. It is a Ford Falcon Futura convertible - very sweet! I'm guessing it is a '63. Can anyone confirm or correct me?

Ahhh - so many cars I want to paint. I am really tempted to try find a classic auto show nearby, too - I've got another show I need to do a few paintings for once I get 6-8 of this series ready to go, but I'll definitely have to return to these vintage cars eventually - they are too much fun to paint!

51 Chevy - Painting of Vintage Truck SOLD

51 Chevy

6x6 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

This is the start of a new little series for my newest gallery. Painting old vehicles is too much fun! Unfortunately the red didn't scan quite right as usual, I'll have to try again with my camera tomorrow.

This piece will be available at Pop Gallery, in Gloucester, Massachusetts later this month.