Thursday, February 25, 2021

The Perch and the crazy month of February!

 

The Perch, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

What a weird few weeks I have just lived through!!! Had COVID (mild case, all good), came home to broken water heater (wood floors ruined), endured the Texas Snowpocolypse (78 hours without power and survived!) I happy to be back and thinking about art again! :)

So, let me tell you about this painting from St. Simons Island in November... These Wood Storks showed up at my workshop, and I KNEW I had to go back and paint them!!! I just loved their long, pointed beaks and ancient looking bodies! They are known for building nests in trees hanging over or next to water (like a marsh). They also seem to find large dead branches for perching on and keeping watch over their surroundings. I don't think they miss much!


Upcoming workshops:
St. Simons Island, GA - April 8-10
Austin, TX - May 14-15 (full w/wait list)

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Marsh's Edge - Demo with Process Shots!

Marsh's Edge, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2021

One of my students pointed out that I had never posted the demo from my last workshop on St. Simons Island. Of course, I am HAPPY to oblige! MORE than! And by the way, if you are looking for an "in person" plein air workshop this spring, join me back in Georgia in April (the week after Easter!)

Upcoming workshops:

Compose with Lines and Shapes.
Create an "envelope" to contain shapes using ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Block in dark value pattern of large shapes.
Keep marks loose and expressive. Still using only ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Mass in Upright Planes.
Paint "shadow family" first, using best average value (not highlight value).

Mass in Ground Plane and Sky Plane.
Paint around uprights, "cutting" and "carving in" for details and sky holes.

Final Marks.
Break up large masses by adding "light family" in all the planes, and final highlights.