Friday, October 1, 2010

Afternoon Overlook

Afternoon Overlook, L. Daniel, 8 x 6

This is my afternoon painting from my session with Frank Serrano at Weekend with the Masters in California. At the end of day the light moves quickly, and Frank emphasized the importance of painting with a sense of anticipation. This means blocking in the shapes and composition, but holding back with the color that will change as the sun does its thing. On that day, a wonderful glow lit up the whole hillside. I was so glad I had waited!

Just FYI - Frank Serrano is a great painter and generous teacher. He came early, stayed late, and did three demos for us (which can be so stressful)! He is also really down to earth and fun. Check out his work here. I will tell you about my other painting teachers when I post my work from their sessions.

There was not a minute to spare at the Masters Weekend - it was chock-full of not-to-miss events! I watched still life demos by David Leffel and Richard Schmid, a duo portrait demo by Scott Burdick and Daniel Gerhartz, and I listened to a fabulous panel discussion about technology and art. All of this brought about stimulating dialogues... such an enriching experience!

15 comments:

Amy Hillenbrand said...

Yes the light in this painting is amazing. I love seeing the California trees. Sounds like an incredible week and your learned tons.

Denise Rose said...

Looks great! Did you use his palette of colors while in his workshop? I always try to do that when in workshops. Also, I wish we had those trees here in Tennessee to paint! I can't wait to hear about your other workshops!

Unknown said...

Laurel, This is beautiful. You really captured the glowing light. I, too, am interested in your palette for this painting. It is wonderful.

Tess Traylor Walls said...

Love Frank Serrano's work---would LOVE to take a workshop with him--some day, right?

Susan Roux said...

Great post Laurel. Thanks for all the links. It made it so easy to get to everyone's work. I like the idea of holding off for the right light. I think you're headed in the right direction!

julie davis said...

Beautiful, Laurel, and I couldn't agree more about your comments about Frank Serrano.

Kate Merriman said...

Wow, amazing!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laurel,

Another smashing beauty. I can feel that light -- something I love about California.

Once again thank you.

XOXOXOXOXOBarbara

Marian Fortunati said...

It sounds like a wonderful weekend. Frank is a fabulous teacher.. And fun to listen to also!!
Your painting is fabulous!

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

Does indeed sound like an amazing week. Love how your trees are so majestic and the background recedes far, far away, leaving the trees to be the majestic beauties they are.

Jo Anne Neely Gomez said...

Beautiful work, have admired Frank Serrano's paintings & interestingly my mother-in-law was a Serrano (and also an excellent tho not known artist). Sounds like a very interesting & focussed week.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful painting. The light is really amazing. I love your artwork and have been following your blog for a while now. Keep up the fantastic work.

John

Laurel Daniel said...

Thank you all!!!

Suzanne & Denise - re: question about palette...

Yes, I always adapt to the teacher's palette for any workshop I attend. I think it's important to have the tools that the teacher is teaching with to get the most out of it.

Frank uses a limited palette very similar to my own, so it was pretty familiar and easy to adapt:
- titanium white
- ultramarine blue
- alizarin crimson
- cad yellow pale
- burnt sienna
- yellow ochre
- thalo green

Randall said...

I'm a tree lover. Love this one Laurel and I see some Frank Serrano in this one too.

~Kirby

Bev Boren said...

Great one Laurel, so beautiful in it's simplicity!