Hidden Beach Path

 

Hidden Beach Path, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

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Another plein air day in Georgia last month found me caught up in the "tangle"...

What do I mean by that? Well... physically, the vegetation itself was CRAZY and I kept getting lost in the vines and branches and layers. But mentally, I forgot to bring my tripod, and had to make do without it. Not good! I started out at a picnic table, but that had the wrong angle. Sitting on the ground? Not at all comfortable (Have I mentioned that I really prefer to stand?) When all else failed, I discovered that a garbage can was a PERFECT support for my paint box!!! Who knew? :)

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

Dappled Path

 

Dappled Path, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2022

Available 

(Note: image on website has been updated 

in a 2026 Fix-It Friday session.)

This is another plein air piece from the Georgia coast at the end of last year. I am always enthralled with the huge, beautiful oak trees and the climbing vines that boldly climb everywhere there! These are on the barrier island of Jekyll. 

This view from shade into distant light was a bit tricky, because those warm colors of the marsh wanted to come forward. One way to solve that problem is to mute down the distant color. Another solution is to make the foreground much stronger in contrast and value. Doing BOTH helps, too! ;)

Leaning Tree - Fix It Friday #16

Leaning Tree, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

Available

It was a hot, hot day on the Georgia coast. The light was drenching this tree, adding sparkle to its already dramatic pose. To paint it, I found the only shade around, but it was too close to the subject (no umbrella that day.) I could not see my whole subject without scanning it with my head. TOTAL mistake. I "thought" I could pull it off, and I knew better... but no. The brain can not put the parts together very easily (at least my brain can't).

If you have taken a class with me, you know how bossy I am about this. I pester my students to 1) be in the shade, and 2) be far enough away to see the subject with one glance. Why do I pester? Because I care... :)  

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The tree ended up looking dissected and flat.

Fix - Added the foreground side of tree canopy, giving it volume. 

Problem 2 - The tree looked emaciated.

Fix - Gave the tree its full summer foliage and added the drenching light. 

Problem 3 - Background tidal creek sat "on top" of the marsh as if at high tide. 

(Note: the tide came in as I was painting and that creek did appear... the problem was that I had already painted the rest of the scene at a lower tide level.)

Fix - Removed the distant tidal creek. 

OBSERVATIONS:

I struggled with not being able to "see" my subject. I struggled with not anticipating nature's changes. In fact, I did much better working from my memory on my fixes than I did from my obstructed view. Analyzing visual information is a very important part of direct painting. When that ability is blocked, it's a hard challenge to overcome. 

Huh! Just as with most things in life, it turns out we do better when we understand the "Big Picture". I'm keeping that in mind. 

________________________

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #1

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #2 

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #3

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #4

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #5

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #6

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #7

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #8

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #9

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #10

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #11

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #12
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #13

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #14

Click Here to see Fix It Friday #15

Lion Planter (study)

Lion Planter (study), 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel

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This lion fountain at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel completely captured my imagination... They just don't make things with such care and detail any more! Here's what I found out about the meaning of lions in architecture... they depict nobility, power, valor, bravery and prosperity... well, no wonder they wanted this guy!!! Now the fountain is a planter full of beautifully delicate geraniums, and the lion is still there, keeping watch as his garden grows. 

This is a study for a larger painting finished this week... I loved the lion so much, I had to do him again! Sometimes that happens! ;)

Courtyard Color

Courtyard Color, 8x6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

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I do love a garden courtyard! This is another piece from my plein air excursions in Georgia. After a picnic lunch in a shady spot and a bit of recon on Jekyll Island, we discovered that this courtyard was open AND empty! (Usually, lunch is being served under these porticos, but it was still shut down due to COVID.) There was even music playing! Truly Divine!

In these times of unrest, I share this moment of peace with you. May we all find pathways to healing, individually and as a nation.

Morning Reflections

Morning Reflections, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

Available

Last week, I was able to get outside and do some plein air painting in Georgia. Things are beginning to open up there (with lots of caution of course), and it felt mighty good to be out and about. As I drove over to Jekyll Island for the day, this view on the causeway stopped me in my tracks. We had a lovely breeze, and a morning with drifting clouds and calling birds. DELISH!

I'm sure you share my longing for the day COVID is in our rearview... let it be soon!

Pier Reflections - and a good lesson

Pier Reflections, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

NFS

This little piece is one of my favorites of the year, and maybe it's because of how it came about. I was out painting one morning and had really made a mess of things (BTW - you will never see that one!) At lunchtime, it was obvious that rain was coming, but I was not ready to quit. I hate going home with nothing. Thankfully, my painting buddy was in agreement and we decided to go for it and race the storm. 

Well. Something happens when we have to work fast... have you noticed that? Our creative brains take over and our worry (fear) is released. After all, if it doesn't turn out, it's because of the rain, right? But isn't that just when everything clicks? When we stop overthinking and obsessing? Such a good lesson, and one I've had to learn over and over again!

The end of the story? I finished the painting and got it covered just as the clouds burst. I was soaked to the skin by the time I got everything in the car, but I was happy. :)

Golden Beach Path

Golden Beach Path, 30 x 40, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

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At this time of year, grasses in the landscape begin to differentiate. This is when we get to see the golds and reds pop out, offering a beautiful contrast to all the greens. I absolutely LOVE the opportunity to work that glow into my work!!! 

Just for fun, here is the block in for this piece. I know I am like a broken record on this, but finding the composition and values before tackling color really helps hold the scene. For me, it's a road map.

Block in using Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna...

a good way to start! 

Cottage Balcony - Georgia Coast

Cottage Balcony, 12 x 9, Oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

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The morning light on this Jekyll Island cottage added an irresistible warmth to an already charming scene. I can't help but think of Romeo and Juliet when I see garden balconies. They add automatic romance, don't you think?

Sunlit Terrace

Sunlit Terrace, 12 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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This is one of the summer cottages in the millionaire's village on Jekyll Island in Georgia. It's especially dramatic in the slanted morning light. I love imagining a family "taking tea" on the terrace next to the house. It must have been a great playground for the kids in those families!

Please join me at these upcoming fall workshops:

Still Life: Color and Form - September 16-17, 2016, 9am-4pm.

En Plein Air: Shape and Movement - November 4-5, 2016, 9am-4pm. 

Contact: The Contemporary Austin School of Art 512-323-6380, or click HERE.

Beach Walking Day

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

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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. ;)

Courtyard Umbrellas

Courtyard Umbrellas, 12 x 9, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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This is one of my favorite plein air pieces of the summer, and another from my painting days on Jekyll Island. This courtyard sits outside of Crane Cottage which was built in 1917 for Richard T. Crane. Crane, a manufacturer from Chicago, was part of the "Millionaire's Club" that gathered for fun and frolic on the island back in the day. Now, this cottage is home to a restaurant called "Courtyard at Crane" that serves up delicious lunches. I brought my own lunch that day, but it's charm, charm, charming inside too!

Windswept Turret

Windswept Turret, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Available 

Back in May, I had a couple of fun days painting on Jekyll Island at the Georgia coast. The Jekyll Island Club Hotel always captures my imagination, not only because of its gorgeous Queen Anne architecture, but also because of its interesting history. At the turn of the century, Jekyll Island was a favorite destination and private club for "tycoons, politicians, and socialites". The Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Pulitzers and J.P. Morgan are some of its famous members who built homes on the island (many are still standing and can be toured). This hotel was their clubhouse and as you can imagine, it was the scene of some serious wheeling and dealing. 

Today, it is still a grand hotel with big covered verandas, bay windows and beautiful grounds. It feels a bit like stepping into yesteryear. You can read more about it HERE. If only walls could talk... ;)

Value Studies - Process Shots from Workshop Demo

Jekyll Beach Value Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Workshop Demo - Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Last weekend I taught a workshop on St. Simons Island, GA. The focus of the workshop was color and value in the landscape, and we drilled way down to understand those concepts. On the first day, we took a break from color and painted value studies. Below is a review for my students and for anyone who would like to try it!

Mix a strand of 5 grays, plus black and pure white (7 values total). 

Make sure the grays are distinct from one another.

Get started with a sketch of simple shapes to compose the scene. 

Divide the landscape into 5 values, using John Carlson's Theory of the Planes...

Working dark to light, use first gray (darkest) in foreground uprights found in rock shadows, second gray in middle ground uprights (trees), third gray in distant uprights, fourth gray in ground plane (water) and fifth gray (lightest) in sky.

Values come together as they recede... darks get lighter and lights get darker. 

(Note: usually the lightest light will be found in the sky, but in this scene the white sand reflecting the sunlight was brightest.)

Use subtle value shifts to indicate highlights in each plane.

Save pure white for highest highlights (rock light), and pure black for calligraphy and darkest shadows in the foreground.

Mix a strand of warm values using yellow, black and white.

Mute each value in this strand with white (muted strand not shown, sorry!)

Use warm values to indicate how temperature behaves when color is added.

Color intensifies as it comes forward, and it weakens (mutes, cools) as it recedes.

Hard at work, mixing and identifying values...

Many thanks to a wonderful group of students, you all did GREAT!

Beach Bridge - Georgia Coast

Beach Bridge, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2015

Recently I have been getting the urge to add people into my paintings. I'm not exactly sure why, but with this painting it was overwhelming. When I got it home (finished but with no figures), I decided to go for it. I got my brushes back out and added the suggestion of a few beach lovers into the scene, working from photos I had taken. It changed everything. 

Drifting Cloud Study

Drifting Cloud Study, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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I painted this little piece back in early June, but have been holding on to it for reference purposes. This was one of those end of day surprises… when, even though I was packed up and headed home from a long day of painting, I was compelled to stop and do just one more. There was just something about the light, and the lavender reflections in the marsh, and the great big sky that just had my name on it. 

See more Small Works

Dockside Study

Dockside Study, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

I hope this finds you well, and enjoying summer! I have been busy painting and playing, and otherwise distracted from blogging and technology. :) This is a piece from my Georgia trip that I never got around to posting before my little hiatus. I just finished a larger version of it for a show later this year, so I have been living in this scene for the last week or so. It's always interesting how I can be transported right back to a location, with it's ever shifting elements. In this case, it was the incoming tide and elusive light that kept me on my toes. It's always  something! 

Beach Demo - Georgia Workshop

Beach Demo, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2104

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I am finally catching my breath after last weekend's non-stop activity! In conjunction with my show on St. Simons Island, I taught a 3-day plein air workshop to a wonderful group of students. We had a great time painting from marsh side to seaside (notice a theme here?) and below is my demo from our day at the beach. 

Many thanks to the Anderson Gallery for hosting the workshop, and to my hard-working students who painted up a storm on the Georgia coast! So much fun!!

the scene...

getting started with a line sketch for placement...

line and mass block in to establish values...

massing in the darks...

massing in the lights...

final piece with highlights and lowlights…

including a couple of beach lovers for scale! :)

Seafaring Vessels - Anderson Gallery Exhibit

Seafaring Vessels, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Well-loved boats, old docks and colorful reflections get me every time. I discovered this spot on Jekyll Island (on the Georgia coast) several years ago and have gone back to paint it from different angles several times. "Seafaring Vessels" was directly inspired by those delightful plein air moments. 

This piece will be on display in my solo show "Marshside to Seaside" at the Anderson Gallery on St. Simons Island, April 24 -May 25. Click HERE to see the entire show on my website. 

Beach Breezes - Georgia Coast

Beach Breezes, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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Painting on the beach can be challenging because of the blinding light, so finding a beach with a little bit of shade is always my preference. On this day, strong breezes added to that challenge. Although I found a spot that was sheltered, I still had to hold on to my easel the whole time I was painting to keep it from blowing over. It was a bit of a battle (with several wipedowns), so I was happy to walk away with this small piece.