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! ;)

Glint of Gold - Fix It Friday #19

Glint of Gold, 24 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

Hello friends! Welcome back to Fix It Friday! I hope you are all staying well and finding peace in these challenging times. This pastoral walk down a favorite Texas trail gives me that little getaway that seems SO needed right now. I painted it earlier in the spring when the wildflowers were out, and have been stewing over it ever since, up on the drying shelf... something was bothering me... 

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem - The prominent oak tree in the middle ground appeared choked and flat.

Fix - Removed mass of bushes at base of tree to visually free it up.

Fix - Separated layers in middle ground to increase space and depth. 

OBSERVATIONS

Layers always add an illusion of depth. Separating out several layers in the middle ground area, added to the overall sense of distance. I always like the idea of being able to go further "in" to the scene! 

PAINTERS! Join me at PleinAir LIVE!! 
I am teaching in the PRE-event Beginners Workshop (July 14) on "How Painting Outdoors Differs from Painting Indoors, and Overcoming the Obstacles", AND "The Basics of Oil Painting". It will be a fruitful and fun time! 

Please sign up through my affiliate link: 
https://pleinairlive.com/register?affiliate_id=2514217

Azure Fields - Fix It Friday #13

Azure Fields, 24 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD - private collection

This is another Fix-It from my archives. Although the painting (and changes) are several years old, it illustrates a huge lesson about landscapes that I encounter again and again... 

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 -  The horizon line split the top of the painting from the bottom of the painting (I'm referring to the sharp edge and high contrast where ground plane met the upright plane. The ground plane looked like a skating rink, am I right?)

Fix 1 - Muted/darkened the color of the ground plane which eliminated the high contrast.

Fix 2 - Softened the static, hard edge with grasses and flowers that break the horizontal line.

OBSERVATIONS:

To establish depth in a painting, we have several devices in our toolbox: 1) overlapping layers (indicates front and back), 2) scale shift (elements get smaller as they recede), 3) muting color (color gets more dull and cooler as it recedes), 4) eliminating contrast (values weaken as they recede.) Eliminating that sharp line at the horizon allowed everything to settle in. Ahhh... what relief!!! :)

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

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Click Here to see Fix it Friday #10

Click Here to see Fix it Friday #11
Click Here to see Fix it Friday #12

Crimson Carpet

Crimson Carpet, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2012, SOLD

Sometimes you don't have to go far to see remarkable beauty. This field is right next to my church and every spring it's filled with some of the most beautiful wildflowers in town. I love going out there and spending a quiet morning. 

Country Corral

Country Corral, 9 x 12, L. Daniel © 2012

A few of us from Plein Air Austin met up last Saturday to paint at a wonderful ranch outside of town. It was overcast and breezy (my easel actually got blown completely over when I stepped away for a minute - no damage, thank goodness) but that didn't stop any of us. Painters have to paint!!! This fabulous old corral has seen many a day, and it's weathered patina was completely enticing. Many thanks to our fabulous hosts for having us out.

Roadside Vista

Roadside Vista, L. Daniel, 9 x 12 

On Saturday, Plein Air Austin met up to paint some fabulous long-views up in the hills. However, the March winds arrived on cue, and we all had to find sheltered spots to keep our easels from blowing away. I parked my car on the side of the road, leaving me enough room to paint but still blocking the wind. I didn't get much of the vista but I liked my view of the roadside! I was happy.  It's always an adventure. :)

Hill Country Morning and 3 Workshop Openings!

Hill Country Morning, L. Daniel, 6 x 8, SOLD

A few weekends ago, Plein Air Austin met up out in the hill country and it was such a joy to be out. It was a bit of a cold January morning for us (I shouldn't complain - we are so spoiled at this time of year in Texas), but it was worth every layer to be outside dipping those brushes in paint. :) 

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UPCOMING WORKSHOP OPENINGS...

Due to some cancellations, 3 spots just opened up in my plein air workshop May 17-19, in St. Simon's Island, Georgia. Three days, 9am - 4pm, class limited to 15 people, $375. For a complete description: click HERE (disregard "sold out" sign on website). To register: contact Mary Anderson 912-634-8414.

Grandfather's Graybeard

Grandfather's Graybeard, 6 x 8, L. Daniel, SOLD

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Grandfather's Graybeard, also known as Spanish Moss or Tillandsia, is a "romantic symbol of the south" (I read that on a website). It grows everywhere here but I have been totally scared to attempt painting it. Well... yesterday afternoon I faced my fear and tried it. I am sure I will do more now that I jumped the first hurdle. :)

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Leaning Oak (Demo)

Leaning Oak (Demo), 5 x 8

I promised my students that I would post this demo of the block-in technique we worked with this week in class. I must give credit to Kevin MacPherson, who teaches this approach in his workshops and book, "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color". (Please read it for further explanation and fabulous examples.)

Blocking-In with Simple Shapes and Values...

Sketch. Begin with a simple, outline sketch of your subject for placement purposes and overall composition of canvas only. Keep loose and avoid detail.

Colorful shadows first. Paint shadow patterns throughout canvas - using best average color and value for each area. Keep shapes simple and flat; you are still avoiding any detail or modeling.

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Fill in lights. Paint light patterns throughout canvas - again using best average value and color for each area. Canvas will be covered; shapes will be simple, flat and undetailed. "Block-in" is complete at this point. Double check value and color relationships and make any needed corrections.

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The Finish. This is where individual mark-making, personal finessing, and adding desired detail takes place. Using subtle value changes and temperature shifts, break up large masses (only as needed - this is easy to overdo). Be careful to keep shadow family and light family separate (subtle shifts stay within each family.) Step back often and quit before you go too far. RESTRAINT is a good word to keep in mind.

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The point of this block-in approach is to work quickly to cover the canvas with accurate value and color. When details are added too soon, we get attached to those details and lose objectivity. We resist making important corrections because of that loss.

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Finally, this should all be fun so enjoy the process. That is the most important part. :)

Grand Oak

Grand Oak, 6 x 6, SOLD

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...and this has been a grand week. I just finished teaching a 2-day workshop where I met some fabulous painters who are now like old friends. It's always a joy to watch artists at work and participate in the creative process with them. It's a privilege I never take for granted; and I'm sure I'm the one who learns the most. Many thanks to my students - new and old!

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