A Place in the Shade - Figures on Friday

A Place in the Sun, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

SOLD

It's summertime, and I have to say, this guy has it figured out. There is nothing quite like a patch of shade at the beach on a sunny day. As for inspiration? I loved the sky, I loved the dune, I loved the guy, I loved it all! :) 

HAPPIEST SUMMER! 

Other available "figures" from Fridays past... (click on title)

Saturday's Schemes, 6x8, oil - SOLD

Dog Walker, 8x6, oil - SOLD

Saturday Schemes - Figures on Friday!

Saturday Schemes, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

SOLD

I happened upon these two young guys down at Lost Creek in Austin (I mean, isn't that name just fuel for the imagination?) I was painting further up the creek while they had taken up this spot under the bridge... clearly making plans for their afternoon. Oh, the joy of that fabulous young freedom! "The world is our oyster", "we can do anything"... those feelings were so evident and compelling. I took a quick snap on my phone and kept going. Plans like these are not to be disturbed! ;)

Here is how the piece started out...

Block-In

Finished piece

Since the background was so dark, I toned the canvas to bring the value to a more workable starting point. Also, you can see where I had to make some corrections in my drawing. I originally made the torsos too short. Note to self: Check and double check dimensions after the block in, and make adjustments before moving forward. 

2023 SPRING WORKSHOPS (click HERE for info and registration):
April 14-15 - The Contemporary Austin Art School in Austin, TX (Wait list only)
May 4-6 - Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, GA

Walk On The Pier - Figures on Friday!

Walk On The Pier, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2022

NFS

Here is another "family" memory for Figures on Friday this week. This is my dear father-in-law with one of his great grandsons (my grand nephew). One fun thing about painting people you know is that it feels like you are actually having a little visit with them! Love that!

I'm also including my block-in for this piece to contrast with last week's block-in. You can see that I started with my usual approach, the dark underpainting. But this time, instead of working dark to light, I painted the light areas around my dark sketch. This allowed me to lock in the shapes of the figures which is really helpful. After that, I toggled back and forth between the figures and everything else. I also adjusted the drawing a bit, as the figures were leaning to the left at first. Can't have that! ;)

Painted around Block-in... 

Final painting.

Pure Joy and Figures on Friday #1

Pure Joy, 6x8, oil on panel, L.Daniel © 2021

NFS

I am starting a new series called "Figures On Friday" and I would love for you to follow along! 

The idea is to force myself to practice adding figures into the landscape. And practice is the key word - always a requirement if I want to see growth. Why am I making a series out of it?? Well, it's my way of holding myself accountable. This weekly goal (one post a week) will help keep me on track with my larger desire for improvement in this area. Wish me luck, friends!

This first one depicts my dear nephew when he was a child, and his trademark exuberance! 

Join me at my last workshop of the year! Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

DETAIL SHOTS of 10-ft painting, and Reveal Party Pics!

Figure Detail 1 - Father and Son

from Tunnel of Trees (56 x 120), oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

I had a lot of fun working the figures into each of these large pieces, and want to spotlight them a bit here (the image of the full painting doesn't quite do them justice.)  This father and son were an extra delight for me, because they are my son in law and grandson!!! I didn't actually have a picture of them walking on this specific Houston boulevard, but I DID have them walking in just the right direction and angle on another street. I was able to pop them into the scene just like they belonged there! Painting them was such a joy that now I want to paint all my kids and grandkids!

Tunnel of Trees, 56 x 120, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

3rd Commission piece for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

I'm including the full painting here, so you can see where each figure appears.

 Figure Detail 2 - Dog Walker

from Tunnel of Trees (56x120)

Figure Detail 3 - The Ladies

from Tunnel of Trees (56x120)

THE COMMISSION REVEAL...
This past Saturday, we celebrated the completion of this 3-part commission project, with a reception at the Davis Gallery in Austin. It was a SUCH fun gathering... I loved being able to share the last painting, IN PERSON, with local friends before delivering it to Houston today! Heartfelt thanks to my friends at the Davis Gallery, and to ALL who came and/or sent kind wishes! 

Here are shots of the party...

Being introduced for Artist Talk by Kevin Ivester, Gallery Director

So fun to see friends...

from all walks of life...

old and new...

Thank you, Eddie, for getting an up close view of that brushwork!!! 

Tunnel of Trees - 3rd of Three 10-ft paintings, and a Commission Reveal Party!!

Tunnel of Trees, 56 x 120, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2018

Commission for Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas

Third of three 10-foot paintings to hang in new North Tower

Hip hip hooray! I am finished with my giant commission project! Three 10-foot paintings... mission accomplished!!! This has been an incredible opportunity to stretch my wings and push the artistic envelope; AND, there is nothing quite like being done. It's an amazing feeling.

To celebrate, we are having a viewing party at the Davis Gallery in Austin, on Saturday. This third and last painting will be on display for one day only. If you are anywhere nearby, please join us... 

Commission Reveal - viewing party

Saturday August 25, Reception 1-3pm, Artist Talk 2pm

Davis Gallery, Austin, TX

Beach Day's End

Beach Day's End, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2017

SOLD

As I was considering the final touches on this painting, I couldn't escape an urge to add some life to the scene. In order to capture the depth of the beach and the height of the sky, I needed a human reference for scale. Below is a shot without the people, just so you can see the before and after. I was hesitant - I wasn't going for a figurative painting, and what if I screwed it all up? But the painting kept demanding something more so I went for it. I am glad I did... Those people added just the right dynamic, focus, and most of all, that missing sense of scale. It's good to respond to inner nudges, even if there is a little fear involved. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

BEFORE

AFTER
Just a little bit of human reference shows how deep and wide the beach is.

Beach Walking Day

Beach Walking Day, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

SOLD

Walking the beach is one of my favorite things to do, and these folks had the right idea... they got out early to beat the heat (like me)! I didn't initially plan to include the people, but they seemed to walk right in! I couldn't say no. ;)