Tree Line Vista with Process Shots!

Tree Line Vista, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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Today's painting is one of my demos from the last workshop I taught in Georgia. We had a beautiful time in spite of overcast skies, unseasonably cold weather, and lots of rainy surprises. My students were troopers and kept their focus through it all. Most importantly, they encouraged each other and made it all fun, which is always the most important ingredient!!

Below is a step-by-step explanation of how this painting came together... 

1) Painted loose outline to position subject on the canvas 

(used burnt sienna and ultramarine).

2) Blocked in masses and value hierarchy within the scene 

(still used only burnt sienna and ultramarine).

3) Massed in upright planes in foreground and background. 

4) Toned ground plane to pick up some warm colors of the marsh.

5) Massed in ground plane, muting and cooling it as it goes back to distant upright.

6) Massed in sky plane, observing transitions of temperature and value. 

7) Made final highlights, refining shapes and edges. (I did not love that big gap in the middle of the trees, so closing that up was part of the refining process.) 

The view from my easel.

Part of the gang, hard at work! Thanks, guys! 

Treasure Seeker - Figures on Friday #8

Treasure Seeker, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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This is such simple gesture... one we all know from visits to any beach. The ocean offers up new surprises with each wave, and the treasure seeking is inevitable! For the painter in me, I especially love how the simplest shapes of shadow and light can describe a form. This scene is a perfect example of that. My goal with these figure studies is to capture and keep that simplicity! 

Come Follow - Happy Thanksgiving!

Come Follow, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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And so the holidays begin... 

Wishing you a peaceful and bountiful Thanksgiving!

Morning Paddler - Figures on Friday #7

 

Morning Paddler, 5 x 7, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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(Still wet, available to ship on Nov 22)

Please forgive the glare on this one. Dark paintings are hard to photograph because they are so reflective. I shot this in many different locations and light trying to avoid it... but I could not eliminate it completely. 

One reader pointed out that a whole series on "boys playing with sticks" could be fun. I agree... how about KIDS playing with sticks!!! Paddling, fishing, hiking... sports in general... it seems like sticks are always IN hand and ON hand for every adventure. This morning kayaker is a grown up example of how kids will always be KIDS! 

I love sticks too! Paintbrushes? Mm-hmmm, sticks! More please! ;) 

Big Brother - Figures on Friday #6

Big Brother, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

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Last week you met Little Sister, and as promised, here is her brother fishing for something with a stick! Not exactly sure what he was going for, but it looked VERY important. No wonder Sis wanted a bit of that action! ;) I loved how the light and shadows defined his gesture in this scene. And the reflection! So fun to paint! 

Little Sister - Figures on Friday #5

Little Sister, 7 x 5, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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Beach play... can a child ever get enough? They can dig, collect shells, and wield sticks all day... and still want more. I loved the determination of this little one as she took off after her brother (he's coming next week), intent on keeping up with him. And not to worry, mom and dad were right there, keeping a close eye. 

One fun thing about focusing on figures is letting the landscape (which I am usually so concerned with) soften and fade into the background. While it sets the tone and gives context, it is secondary. When people are in a picture, well, it is all about them! ;)