Plantation Barn - Georgia Coast

Plantation Barn, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Just down the road from St. Simons Island is the historic site of the Hofwyl-Broadfield Rice Plantation. This plantation was owned and occupied by the same family from 1804 to 1973 and is now a state park. Many of the buildings are open for viewing, a docent explains all about rice farming, and the house still has all the original furniture in it. This beautiful old barn was nestled between the oak trees and dripping spanish moss. I loved its shape and large overhanging eaves (and its afternoon shadows.)

Marsh Breeze

Marsh Breeze, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Standing on the edge of the marsh is delightful when there is a breeze blowing across the water. It keeps the humidity and mosquitos away (two very important functions). The morning I painted this scene I had breeze AND shade, and it was absolutely heaven!

Side note: I will be painting on St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast for the next few weeks. (St. Simons has been an important family gathering place for many years.) I will be posting a little more often during this time. Please read along and join me in my daily painting adventures.

Arbor Fence - Plein Air Demo

Arbor Fence - Plein Air Demo, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

Last week I taught a 3-day workshop to 12 wonderful students in St. Simons Island, GA. I began this demo on the first day, but a storm threatened our session and I never finished it. (As it turned out, the rain never came.) I promised to complete the demo after the workshop, but ended up starting over completely in order to take process photos for my students. Here are the notes... for my students and for you. :)

1) Block-in and underdrawing (ultramarine and burnt sienna.)

2) Mass in dark uprights - in the shadow family.

3) Mass in dark uprights - in the light family.

4) Mass in sky plane and ground plane.

(The pink ground came from the sand color beneath the grass.)

 5) Work grass color into ground plane. Adjust values as needed.

Remember that values come together as they recede into the distance. 

(Less contrast, less chroma in color, less detail, less texture.) 

6) Add final details and highlights. Push color relationships.

(I painted the fence wet into wet, using a liner brush.)

Bursting Pomegranate

Bursting Pomegranate, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Available now at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

This is another new piece just delivered to the Anderson Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia. You might remember the small study I did awhile back when a friend brought me these pomegranates from her yard. One of them had burst open on its own in the ripening process; and the translucent kernels inside were so compelling I just HAD to do a larger painting. :)

Paintings of St. Simons Island are coming soon. I finally got the first few pieces photographed today so I can begin posting. I will be painting up a storm down here in the days and weeks to come, so please stay tuned. 

Loquat Branch

Loquat Branch, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery

I just finished a crazy busy week that included a road trip to Georgia, teaching a three day workshop on St. Simons Island, and painting in the beautiful Golden Isles. I will be here for several weeks, enjoying my family and painting the gorgeous scenery I so love. "Loquat Branch" is one of a couple new paintings I brought with me (these loquats are from my backyard in Austin), and it's now available at the Anderson Gallery. 

Ruby Lamplight

Ruby Lamplight, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

SOLD

This is another comfy corner at the French Legation here in Austin (originally built in 1841 to establish a French presence in the new Republic of Texas.) It was a pretty lavish home for the times, and I love its simple elegance. I was especially intrigued by the warm reflections and dramatic shadows emanating from this glowing ruby lamp. 

Pink Room

Pink Room, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 - SOLD

Interiors... I have been interested in trying to capture the angles and intimacies of private spaces for a long time but I haven't ever gotten around it. Fear? Maybe. After taking the workshop with Colley Whisson a couple of weeks ago (he does gorgeous ones), I was inspired to try a few of my own. I have always collected photos of rooms with interesting light and cool perspectives, so I had some resources to jump right in. This is one of the bedrooms at the French Legation here in Austin. More to come!

Lakside Cafe

Lakeside Cafe, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Today was plein air day for our local painting group. We met up at Ski Shores Cafe, a local burger joint on the lake. This place has been around f-o-r-e-v-e-r and is a favorite with Austinites. I  have to admit that I had a huge struggle settling in with this painting. My first attempt was a total wipe-down and this second one was a mess when I finally packed it in. However, I hate to let a canvas get the best of me so I brought it home and wrestled it to the ground. Sometimes you just have to keep at it. Even if.

Austin friends - this is on the back side of Ski Shores by the playground. ;)

Daisy Ledge - painting with a master!

Daisy Ledge, 16 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

I just finished a four day workshop with the very talented Colley Whisson, who is here on a teaching tour from Australia. If you don't know his work, click this link and visit his web site for some inspiration. Colley is articulate and incredibly generous in his approach to instruction. Three of the days he directed us through exercises in the studio, giving us lots and lots of demos. On the last day, we painted our own subjects using his methods en plein air... these are my efforts. It was an incredible time and I know I will be "processing" the information for a long time!! Thank you, Colley!

Secret Passage, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013, NFS

Pier Breezes and 2 workshop openings!

Pier Breezes, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Available at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Due to last minute cancellations, there are now 2 spots available for my upcoming workshop in St. Simons Island, Georgia. If you are available and want to spend some great time outside painting, please come join us!!! Here is the information:

En Plein Air - Composing a Strong Landscape

May 20 - 22, 2013, Monday-Wednesday, 9am-4pm 

Anderson Fine Art Gallery

St. Simons Island, GA

$400

Workshop Description: Focus on good composition and the strategic placement of natural subjects found in the landscape. Learn to design pleasing, dynamic entrances and exits in your paintings, and practice composing "on the fly" in the plein air tradition. We will meet at different sites on the island, and each session will include a demo and a critique. 

To register, please contact Mary Anderson

 Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414

Cottage Light, 9x12, L. Daniel © 2013, SOLD