Special Post - 2

Seated Female 2, graphite on newsprint, 20 x 12, L. Daniel © 2014

20 minute pose

Here is another set of images from my Life Drawing class… mind you, I have many, many drawings that will never see the light of day. But I share these, trusting that you will go easy on me. :) Did I mention how much fun I have been having?  

Next week, I will be back with paintings from Big Bend, Texas. It's truly the wild, wild west of Texas, and painting there is always an adventure!

3 minute gesture drawings

Special Post - 1

Seated Female, graphite on newsprint, 10 x 10, L. Daniel © 2014

20 minute pose

As promised, I am going to let you in on a little secret I have been keeping... I have been taking life drawing classes since the fall! It's something I haven't had time for (or MADE time for quite honestly), since college. I quite forgot how much fun it is and how good it is for training the eye (and the hand, and the heart, and the brain.) It's simply great discipline for any artist, regardless of chosen genre. My teacher is David Everett, an incredible sculptor here in Austin who is really good at explaining proportions and the relationships between weight and body masses. I am never ready to leave when the sessions are over. 

Like many life drawing classes, we start with 3 minute gesture drawings to warm up before going to the longer poses. The idea is to catch the attitude and mood of the pose with very few marks. Below are a few from my sketchbook that seemed to come close. It has been great practice, and very humbling at the same time. I have so very far to go!!! (Maybe that is why I kept it a secret.)

 

3 minute gesture drawings

Beach Study

Beach Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Click to purchase $120 + $16 s/h

Available for shipping March 3rd. 

I spent most of this week working on a large beach scene that includes this clump of grasses and their wonderful shadows. This little piece helped me work out colors and forms before starting. I am busy painting a new body of work for my upcoming show at the Anderson Gallery, which opens April 25th on St. Simons Island. It's titled "Marshside to Seaside" and will feature scenes from the low country of the Georgia coast - one of my favorite places. I'll be sharing images of the larger work as the date gets closer. 

Meanwhile, I am heading off on a plein air painting excursion in Big Bend (taking just a little a break from beaches and marshes). While I am gone, I have some surprise posts planned… so please stay tuned!!! No hints! ;) 

See more Small Works.

Golden Marshland Study

Golden Marshland Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The colors of wintertime on the Georgia coast are intoxicating. At this time of year, the marsh grasses turn a soft neutral tone and are absolutely emblazoned by the warm afternoon light as it slips toward the horizon. Maybe this is one of the reasons these barrier islands are often referred to as "the Golden Isles"… golden, they are.  

See more Small Works.

Lush Lagoon Study

Lush Lagoon Study, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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This small study helped me get the grasses and lake reflections in my mind for a larger painting of the same scene. It always helps me to play around with color and composition before jumping to a bigger canvas. I find that the small ones give me a sense of where I want to go without getting bogged down with too much detail. (The larger piece is on it's way to the Greenhouse Gallery for the Salon International 2014!) 

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Dune Walk Study

Dune Walk Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014
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This is a study I painted in preparation for a larger studio piece. These winter months are great for studio work and there is nothing quite like revisiting warmer seasons while I am at it! This beach is in St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast, one of my favorite places in life. I am looking forward to being back soon! 

WORKSHOP OPENING: I am teaching a plein air workshop on St. Simons in April, and there are 2 spots available. If you can join us, register with Mary Anderson at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery.

See other Small Works.

Winter Light

Winter Light, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Click to purchase $120 + $16 s/h

Sometimes, when sunlight hits the winter landscape, it offers a surprising and unexpected warmth. I know you have seen it. When it happens, everything about the stark bareness seems to radiate. This old homestead had that irresistible fiery glow. 

Pasture Rest

Pasture Rest, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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First of all, thank you all so much for your outpouring of support and congratulations. It made me feel so good and even more excited about the Salon International show. Kind words mean so much… thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now… the painting above… I painted this little country scene in Fredericksburg when I was last there. It was a gorgeous day and I drove quite a ways down a country lane looking for just the perfect spot. After I got all set up, I realized that I had no paper towels (a very important tool in the kit of a painter). Thankfully, one of our family "practices" is to keep the glove compartment well-stocked with Starbucks napkins. Let me just say, those napkins saved the day. I got to stay and paint the lovely sheep, and NOT make a huge mess!! 

Lush Lagoon - Salon International 2014!!

Lush Lagoon, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

Juried into Salon International 2014!!

I am so happy to share that my painting, "Lush Lagoon", has been juried into Salon International 2014!! This annual show is sponsored by the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, and includes some of the best work being done today. I am honored and humbled to be included for the fifth year in a row. The show will be on display from April 5-25, and I can't wait to see it. WOOOOOO HOOOOO!

Overflowing and a Demo

Overflowing, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Workshop Demo - NFS

This is the second demo I did for my work-shoppers last week. Several of you have written to ask about my process and what I was teaching. Although I didn't get process shots of either piece I painted in class, below is a series of paintings from my handout that show my general approach. Of course, this is greatly simplified (you have to come to the class for the long version - wink, wink) but hopefully, you will get the gist.

Under Drawing Block In

Consider this a road map of your composition.

Identify and separate shadow family from light family.

 Establish Values in Color

Paint SHAPES of color and light.

(SQUINT DOWN for large masses.)

Add Subtle Shifts

Break up major shapes with subtle value and temperature shifts to suggest detail.

Add Highlights, lowlights, calligraphy

These are the finishing touches - Save till last!

I do love still life work and believe that painting from life in the studio is incredibly good practice. DO try this at home! :)