Fall Fade with Process Shots!

 

Fall Fade, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

Available - Click for information 

The muted tones of fall are deliciously soft and comforting. Nature seems to be going to sleep to rest up for its spring display. I love the cycle. 

Below are some process shots...

I kept my dark underpainting very thin and sketchy.

As I added color, I toggled back and forth between the trees and sky, kind of mushing them together. I wanted to hang on to the softness and branchy-ness.  

To finish it off, I used my warmest tones and greatest contrast in the front row of trees and grasses. This added some depth. It helped push the background back and pull the foreground forward.

2023 SPRING WORKSHOPS (click here and join me):
April 14-15 - The Contemporary Austin Art School in Austin, TX (Only 1 spot left!)
May 4-6 - Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA

Autumn Blaze

Autumn Blaze, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

We have had some cold snaps down here (back in Texas) and the landscape has quickly made its transition into winter mode. The soft light of a gray day made the golden colors extra vibrant and dramatic last week. It was worth enduring a chilly, "wintery mix" to get outside and paint those beautiful transient tones. 

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River Secrets - Auction for Hurricane Sandy Victims

River Secrets, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Victims

Friends, please join me in a fund raising effort for the victims of Hurricane Sandy. I will donate the proceeds of this painting through an auction over at Daily Paintworks. The process is easy, you bid (and keep bidding), and at the end of the 7-day auction I will send the full amount of the sale to the Red Cross. The painting will go to the highest bidder... It's win/win! 

Update: this painting sold and proceeds have been donated to the Red Cross. Thank you K and B!

This cause is near and dear to my heart. My son and his new wife live in Brooklyn and my sister's family lives near Albany. (Thankfully, they are safe and sound). My thoughts and prayers are with each of them, and with all who were hit by this devastating storm. 

Coincidentally, I was just in New England this past weekend and painted this plein air piece beside the Connecticut River in Hanover, New Hampshire. My husband and I were at Dartmouth College (his alma mater) for homecoming.... truly the "calm before the storm" in that part of the country. 

Autumn Symphony

Autumn Symphony, L. Daniel, 8 x 16, oil on panel - SOLD

A recent day on Lake Austin... a reminder to give thanks for all things.

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G   T O   A L L !

Turning Leaves

Turning Leaves, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, oil on panel, SOLD

Fall color comes a little late to Austin, and it usually has a pretty short window before peaking and flaming out. It's best to keep painting gear in the trunk and be ever "at the ready" for the perfect confluence of color and light. Well, that happened last week and you can bet I was out there trying to capture the magic! Watching the leaves turn multiple shades of red, orange and yellow is a spectacular show that never gets old. 


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Dry Creek Bed

Dry Creek Bed, L. Daniel, 12 x 9
SOLD

Normally, Bull Creek is full of water that flows back to some limestone ledges and a small waterfall. After a summer of no rain, it's temporarily dry. Walking up the creek on dry land is an odd feeling but the limestone bed is beautiful and smooth from the water flow. This is always one of my favorite places to paint in the fall, and I really hope the water is back next year.

October Morning and Banner Project

October Morning, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

I am a little behind in posting, but this is a little plein air piece I did a few weeks ago when it was still October (is time flying by or is it just me?) At that point, our fall color was just emerging and now it's at full peak. It's not like New England, mind you, but it's pretty beautiful. 


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In other news...

"Happy Trails Art Banner Project"

Banners featuring 55 juried artists' work are currently 

hanging in historic, downtown Georgetown, Texas.

I am pleased to have the painting below included the project.

Of course I had to visit the display and get a photo of my banner!

Upper Falls Flowing

Upper Falls Flowing (enlarged from a plein air piece), L. Daniel, 18 x 36

I have been seriously "Missing In Action" for the last couple of weeks; completely consumed with changing and updating my website. It took way more time than I expected but I am very excited with the results! My new one displays way more artwork and is much easier to keep updated, so it was well worth it. Please check it out: www.laureldaniel.com - and sign up for the newsletter while you are there. (I promise I won't send many... just occasional show announcements and updates.) 


Now I can get happily back to painting!! :)

Backlit

Backlit, L. Daniel, 8 x 6, SOLD

This is my final painting from Lost Maples... another stand of trees with the light coming from behind. I just couldn't resist the brilliant colors!


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Winter Grasses

Winter Grasses, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

In addition to beautiful trees, Lost Maples State Park has expansive meadows with these gorgeous, soft grasses. When a breeze passes through, they blow this way and that and almost seem to have currents. And when the light hits them, they seem to glow.


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Lower Falls

Lower Falls, L. Daniel, 6 x 12, SOLD

On Monday, Julie Davis and I went to McKinney Falls State Park to paint the Lower Falls. This is a beautiful park that is just outside of Austin but feels hundreds of miles away. It's one of my favorite places for just that reason! We enjoyed another gorgeous fall day... so great to be outside.


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Autumn Beckons

Autumn Beckons, L. Daniel, 12 x 16

Fall and spring are the best times to live in central Texas... and actually maybe they are the best times to live just about anywhere! Don't we love the changing of the seasons and all the accompanying colors, smells and memories? This row of trees marking the farmer's field has been on my list for a while now, but it is especially compelling right now in its fall array. I had to do a little trespassing while painting this one, but what's a girl to do? Didn't seem to bother anyone. :) 

The Road Home (large version)

The Road Home, 30 x 24, (see previous post for small study)

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As I traveled through this tunnel of gold throughout the days of autumn, I was struck by how some of the most rapturous images are the ones we pass every day. Whether or not it was more colorful than in other years (or maybe it was that my eyes were more open), these sparkling oranges and yellows were absolutely spectacular.

The Road Home (study)

The Road Home (study), 8 x 6, SOLD

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I painted this little study in the fall, but have been saving it to use as reference for a larger version. The autumn color is long gone and this tunnel of trees is completely bare now. But we have a pretty short winter so it won't be long till the trees begin to bud out again. Side note: I did get the large version painted last week and will post it sometime soon. :)

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Canyon Ablaze

Canyon Ablaze, 24 x 36, Christmas commission piece

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I have been on a bit of a hiatus, completely enjoying my family and the holidays... and now we are in a new decade and I am ready to get back to work. Being a goal setter (I'm a big believer in writing them down and being specific), I'm busy making lists that will lead to some familiar paths as well as to some new ones. But it's the unknown, unanticipated surprises that are always the most fun! Happy 2010!

Blazing Canyon

Blazing Canyon, 6 x 8, SOLD

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I drive by this canyon often in my travels around town. It's always a pretty view, but it's especially breathtaking in the fall and spring when the seasonal colors emerge. It sure sets the mood for Thanksgiving!!

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Silent Partners

Silent Partners, 6 x 6, SOLD

Today was one of those on-the-verge-of-raining, cold, damp days. My painting group was scheduled to meet and paint at a beautiful church, but no one else was crazy enough to come out. Go figure. :) Since I was there and had all my stuff, I decided to stay. Plus, I spotted some fall color and couldn't resist. It never did rain, and I had a deliciously quiet and peaceful morning!

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Golden Splendor

Golden Splendor, 6 x 8, SOLD

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This small island in Ladybird Lake is brilliant right now with it's yellows, reds and oranges. When the sunlight hits them, the illuminated trees seem to glow.

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Fall Reflections

Fall Reflections, 6 x 8, SOLD

I love everthing about autumn - the cool crisp air, the changing colors and the emerging bare branches - there is a wonderful coziness about it all. This is Ladybird Lake just below the dam. The color around the lake is spectacular right now.

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Autumn Glory

Autumn Glory, 12 x 9

Today was an unbelievably gorgeous day - clear, blue sky and fall color on display everywhere. I was fortunate to pull off a spontaneous painting day with my painting buddy, Julie Davis (she claims I highjacked her day, but what better excuse for playing hooky?) ;) The trees have been turning at this oft-driven-by-location for the last week or so, but you never know how long it will last. One big wind and it will all be gone... I'm happy we got down there!