Getting Out

SUMMER MEADOW

During a recent trip to an agricultural area north of Columbus,  I was able to get some great photos of the fields and meadows for future painting ideas.  This particular meadow had a great tree line where the sky was sparkling through the trees.  I love this effect, so knew that it would become a painting at some point.  In this small study, I experimented with toning the board in red and purple acrylic paint then painting in oil on top of it.  The acrylic dries very quickly, so it was ready to go in about 5 minutes. I like how the acrylic colors underneath show through the painting in some areas adding interest and texture.

ENJOY!!

Summer Landscape

ADENA CREEK BRIDGE

Summer is in fill swing and I have been getting out more to paint.  Not all of my paintings have been successful but I'm learning a lot about capturing an idea quickly and hope that by summer's end,  I will have speeded things up a bit.  I painted this view the day after a plein air class, and returned a second day to finish because I lost the light and my shadows moved. I was trying to use what I had learned in class, to paint with a purpose, not to worry if the first color choice is wrong, and to get the large shapes down first.  I like how this one turned out, even though it is decidedly very green.

ENJOY

Start to Finish

 Walkies View I -Study

Walkies View I

Here is an example of how I work to develop a painting.  Many times, I will only do a value sketch and composition drawing before diving right in to a finished piece.  Sometimes, I like to do a study to work out the composition and colors ahead of time. Here is the result of doing a color study.

I like how the shadows from the trees fan out to create interesting patterns in the fallen leaves.   Notice how the shadow edges become softer and more diffuse as they lengthen.  

Enjoy

Neighborhood Favorite

CLEVELAND' S LITTLE ITALY

I love exploring old neighborhoods and when I got the chance to tag along on a business trip with my husband in Cleveland, we spent some time in Little Italy.  This section of town was full of great little restaurants, antique stores and beautiful old buildings.  What a beautiful, vibrant area to call home!!
I am always practicing new ways of painting, and for this piece tried to loosen up my brush strokes a bit as well as not worrying about perfect architecture.  I especially like how the sunlight placed a diagonal highlight across the building in the middle and think it adds a great focal point to the painting.

ENJOY!!