Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sunny Bluebonnet Patch - Plein Air Demo

Sunny Bluebonnet Patch, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013
SOLD

The day before my plein air class started this week, I went to the Art School at Laguna Gloria to scout out a good place for my first demo. These lovely bluebonnets were WAY too far from our meet up location, but they were so compelling that I abandoned my scouting expedition and painted them anyway. (We must follow our hearts, mustn't we?) I took photos with my iPhone to document my process and demo'd a different scene the next day. (I can never take pictures while I am doing an actual demo.) 

All to say... here are process notes for my students and for any other painting friends who might enjoy seeing how I "get there".


Blocking in - use a dark neutral mix of French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna. Look for "layers" in the landscape, and break down passages in the painting accordingly. 

Massing in - begin to add large masses of color. Remember that the "layers" will change as they recede in the distance... (elements get cooler, lighter, softer, muted, smaller.)

Continue with massing - pay attention to light and shadow families. Correct/adjust values while bringing colors together and closing the composition.


Break up masses - add form and detail with subtle value and temperature shifts within the masses. Adjust composition and add final finessing of edges and highlights. 

Final painting... Sunny Bluebonnet Patch

3 comments:

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

thanks for the fabulous demo Laurel. The painting is beautiful.

Barbara Muir said...

Beautiful painting and demo. Thanks for this!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOBarbara

Tracey Mardon said...

Aaah, April in Texas! Thanks for the demo, generous as always!
xo
Tracey