"Red Edge" (female nude-desnudo femenino)

I started this painting with an idea of a diagonal composition. Once I had sketched the basic design, I had to balance the strength of that diagonal with the left arm and the background. The face is a very strong focus of attention, so I compensated that with sharp brilliant reds on the opposite side (top right) and at the bottom left corner.

price: 65 euros (86 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, or ordering your own portrait you may contact me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

Female nude study - Process

This is the actual process through which I create most of my paintings. In this example you may notice a very academic traditional approach. Usually I don´t go by the book so much, but I really think every good painter should learn and understand this kind of process. The more tools you have, the better you paint.

Study of female nude back (Estudio de desnudo femenino de espaldas)

Sometimes it´s good to return to the basics. Usually I get crazy with the colors, so most of my paintings are full of bright tones, but in my opinion, the only way to master them is by starting with the classical approach, understanding the use of earth tones and grays. In this painting, by the use of contrast, the gray-sienna of the background enhances the vibration of the bright colors on the body. You can notice that effect especially on the right shoulder area.

price: 75 euros (98 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

Study for portrait commission (Estudio para retrato encargado)

When I get a portrait commission, I usually start with pencil sketches of the subject. This time I went directly to the oils. This is a fast sketch, done primarily to catch the most characteristic traits of the face and establish the relation between warm and cold tones.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, or ordering your own portrait you may contact me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Red Slumbers" (sleeping woman-mujer dormida)

Recently a friend suggested me to make a painting with dominant reds. Some sketches later, this is want came out of it. Using the usual magenta imprimatura for the shadow tone, I only had to paint the midtones and highlights in the body. The red ground is actually a mix of magenta, cadmium, vermillon, a bit of yellow lemon, and some burnt umber for the shadows. Yes, sometimes there is more to red than plain red.

price: 65 euros (88 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Hippocampus" (Seahorse-caballo de mar)

Seahorses are the strangest fish of all. There are many different kinds. This is my first exercise on them.

price: 65 euros (88 US $ aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Magenta Dream" (sleeping woman-mujer dormida)

A sleeping woman not only is the most beautiful thing to behold, it also makes the best possible model: she won´t move while you paint her! ;-)

I begin most of my paintings with a magenta imprimatura. This time I allowed the color to show through, making it the dominant skin tone.

price: 45 euros (56 US $ aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Coral Reef 3" (seascape-paisaje marino)

Another approach to the coral reef. I wonder how those fish see those colors that surround them.

price: 45 euros (56 US $ aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Coral Reef 2" (seascape-paisaje marino)

Here is the second one of the coral reef series. This time in a smaller format.

price: 65 euros (88 US $ aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Beach Hues" (female nude-desnudo femenino)

The human figure is my favorite painting subject. This is my first "female nude" in this project. The idea was to capture the woman on a cool bluish light, and later contrast her with a warm background.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Coral Reef 1" (Arrecife de coral-paisaje)

I think one of the most incredible sights of nature is underwater: the coral reef. Hardly in any other place in the world we will find such a variety of colors by square feet. Working on this subject is a great opportunity for experimenting with the essential notions of color design, which are very abstract. As you may see, I enjoy mixing each major color into different hues and tints. Its a real art color therapy. Very relaxing, but at the same time full of energy.

price: 100 euros (131 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

Daily Painting: "Seascape-Cliff" (Pintura paisaje marino-acantilado)

In Spain there is an old tradition of landscape painters going to the highest cliffs to paint the sea. From that perspective you are able to capture unique tones and hues in the water. I like to play a bit with those tones, blues, greens, turquoises and the white of the surf foam.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write to me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

"Canyon" (Cañón)

Cliffs are one of my favorite landscape subjects. This is one of the most impressive cliffs of Spain.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com

Daily Painting: "La Albufera, Valencia 1" (landscape-dusk-paisaje)

La Albufera is a huge natural reserve in Valencia with an incredible lagoon. Its a very peaceful place with hundreds of protected species. It was one of the first places I visited back when I moved to Valencia five years ago. This site has been the inspiration of thousands of artists. Here is one contribution of mine. Hope you like it. ;-)

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.

Daily painting: Bernia-Alicante (paisaje, landscape)

These mountains of Bernia are close to the town of Altea in Alicante. Very near the coastline.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.

"La cueva-Valencia" (landscape-paisaje)

An enigmatic place to visit in Valencia. Playing around with cool and warm colors.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.

"El Garbí 3" (Valencian landscape)

A more abstract approach to the place.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.

"El Garbí 2" (Valencian landscape)

El Garbí has a small old chapel (Ermita de la Creu) on top of one of its hills, which gives a medieval look to the setting.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.

"El Garbí 1" (Valencian landscape)

I wanted to start this blog with one of my favorite Valencian sites: El Garbí. Beautiful rock formations. A sublime setting.

price: 45 euros (57 US dlls aprox.) plus shipping.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you may write me at gilesrivera@yahoo.com for more details. Pay Pal payments accepted.