Garden Watch - Workshop Demo 2

Garden Watch, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

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This is the second of the demo ideas I worked up for my recent workshop. (To see block-ins of all four ideas, click HERE.) I love this little angle on the garden and the sculpture adds an instant focal point! Below are several process shots so you can see how the painting developed. 

Blocking in with Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna.

 I tried not to worry about the details on the sculpture at this point... just the shape of a figure on a block. Keeping it simple at the start actually helps me avoid over painting it. 

Building the darks in the upright plane.

Depicting the statue was accomplished by painting both the shape itself AND its negative shape. In other words, I started with a general form and then carved into it with the surrounding background color. I go back and forth between the two (negative and positive) to help me hold the form.

Again, the finished piece. 

I wish I had taken more pictures showing how the sculpture element evolved. I just got going and forgot. :(

Garden Fiesta

Garden Fiesta, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

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Often when I am teaching a class, I study the subject so carefully from all my students' viewpoints that I have no choice but to paint it myself when I get home. This piece (and the next one I will post) is one of those. After advising all morning about color solutions, editing and simplifying, and capturing the light and shadows; the scene was completely in my mind's eye. Back in the studio, I was able to paint what I remembered (with the help of photo references of course... my memory is not that good!) All the visual observations from the morning came flooding back the minute I picked up the brush. It reminded me how important it is to really LOOK and notice everything! 

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Misty Marsh

Misty Marsh, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012

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I do love sunny days, but I also really appreciate a misty, mystical morning... when the low fog softens all the edges as far as the eye can see. The landscape seems more quiet somehow. This piece came out of my summer travels and takes me back to a lovely morning bike ride along the marsh. Maybe that is why I saved it till now. :)

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