Garden of the Lion - with Process Shots!

Garden of the Lion, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

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Revisiting this handsome lion with bigger brushes and larger canvas was so much fun. I love this guardian of the flowers. This one is fresh off the easel and available now at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia! 

Here are process shots to show how it came together...

BLOCK IN - SKETCH

I began with an underdrawing (ultramarine and burnt siena). This allows me to check placement and scale of all the elements, and its a good place to make adjustments to the basic design before I get too far along.

BLOCK IN - VALUES

I established a "roadmap" for my values by indicating the shadow areas of the scene. Putting my darks in early and accurately gives me a structure to build on. I also stained the canvas with spots of alizarin crimson as place holders for my geraniums that would be painted last. 

STARTING WITH THE DARKS

Working dark to light allowed me to hold on to values. It is also the best way to build a painting... so much easier to add lighter colors on top of a strong base.  

ADDING THE LIGHTS

The key to keeping clean color is to use a light touch with subsequent layers. With alla prima painting, it can be tricky and "scrubbing" turns everything to mud. Beware.

Final Marks and Highlights

Once all value areas were established, I was able to suggest detail with final marks and highlights using slight value shifts. So important to save these until the very end, when everything else is working. I also painted the geraniums last to keep their marks clean and fresh. 

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Click Here to register for PleinAir LIVE!

(I'm honored to be teaching in the Pre-Event Beginner's workshop! Please look for me there!)

Crane Courtyard and PleinAir Live!

Crane Courtyard, 18 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

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This larger work is fashioned after a smaller plein air piece I shared a few weeks ago. Crane's Cottage, at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in Georgia, is the site of many weddings and special events. This intimate courtyard where lunch is sometimes served, offers a spot to get away, and have a "moment". I enjoyed my moment there immensely and found myself going back to the little scene, wanting to linger at this spot a bit longer. Painting it larger was just the ticket. 

It is newly available at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia!!

And now for some BIG, BIG NEWS...

I am thrilled to be participating as an instructor in the upcoming PleinAir Live event! I will be presenting in the Pre-Event One-day Beginners Workshop, offering "the basics" to beginners who want to learn to paint outdoors. It will be a lot of fun, hope to see you there!

Click HERE for more info and to register!

Marsh Hunter - upcoming solo show!

Marsh Hunter, 20 x 20, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Solo Show: Beaches, Birds & Botanicals

I was transfixed by the architecture of this Egret (love that curvy neck), especially as he stalked his prey. These birds are fun to watch, because they stand completely still as they wait for a fish or an insect. Then, when a tidbit of food shimmies by, they pounce! I also loved the reflections... I always love reflections!

Show update: Paintings are at the framer in GA, being fitted right now. Opening reception: April 12, 2019 from 6-7:30 pm. SOOOO EXCITED!

Beach Day's End

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

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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.

Dinner and Roses - Show Tip #7

Dinner and Roses, 24 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

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 A Valentine memory... Remember how everyone brought valentines to the class party in elementary school? We would make paper "mailboxes" for our desks, and then go around and deliver our cards. Our moms were always very clear that a valentine was to go to every kid in the class. I balked about it at the time (what if some boy thought I liked him?). Our moms were right - they knew that everyone needed to be loved. :) Happy Valentine's Day Weekend to all!

Show Tip #7 - Follow your Heart

One of the enemies of our creative spirit is that little voice of doubt that says, "that's a bad idea", or "no one will like this one", or "stick with what worked in the past". Do not listen. It's crippling. I do my best to banish that kind of thinking with a conviction that following my heart is the only way to produce authentic work. Think about it, if we pursue the direction that brings us joy and fulfillment it's a win, no matter where the painting ends up. 

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Tip #6 - Be Kind to YOU

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Window Light - Show Tip #6

Window Light, 24 x 18, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

That big window of light was my main attraction to this room (hence, the title). I love how it floods the room, sending shadows running. Even the little table lamp is rendered powerless. Below is the first stage of this painting... a block-in sketch using ultramarine and burnt sienna to capture the shapes and values. 

Window Light Block-In 

Show Tip #6 - Be kind to YOU
Can we be reminded enough about this topic? Most of us are pretty hard on ourselves when it comes to our work ethic and the search for our "voice". Today I just want to bring up the common sense stuff: we need to eat well (good nutrition = high energy), exercise regularly (stretching and strengthening = physical agility), sleep 8 hours (regular sleep = recharged mind, body, soul), take a day off every week (rest = cleared perspective), and most important - have grace for "failures" (grace = forgiving ourselves and allowing new beginnings). 

I know, I know, Captain Obvious speaks again... just sayin'... When I am sprinting for a finish line, these are the things that I start compromising. I have learned the hard way NOT to ignore the basics.

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Tip #5 - Establish a Schedule

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Reading Porch - Show Tip #5

Reading Porch, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available 

Scenes like this fall into the category of "places I would like to spend an afternoon". Just to fill out the dream a bit... it would be a perfect summer day, complete with a good book and a tall glass of lemonade... and of course there would be a nice, cool breeze wafting in! Oh yes, delightful!

Show Tip #5: Establish a Schedule

If you are like me, you have certain times of the day that are more productive than others. It just makes sense to analyze when those creative windows usually occur and schedule yourself to paint in them. Some people work better in the morning, some people work better at night, and some people need to work around family schedules. Whatever the circumstance, it helps to figure it out. Then, protect those windows with all you've got, and don't let phone calls or Facebook steal your prime time for creativity!

Here are links to other Show Tips:

Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Tip #4 - Work in Series

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414

Afternoon on the Veranda - Show Tip #4

Afternoon on the Veranda, 18 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

Exploring interiors has been a relatively recent interest of mine. I really enjoy working with the angles and ambience of places that people inhabit. Creature comforts and "home sweet home" come to mind. This scene was extra fun because of the little peek through the doors.

Show Tip #4 - Work in Series
Working in series (painting a group of paintings within a genre) is very helpful for my creative process, especially when I am trying to build a body of work. It gives me a personal sense of continuity and flow; and I believe it also leads to a continuity and dialogue between the pieces themselves.  What happens is that one painting leads to another, and lessons I learn in each can be reapplied and expanded upon. It keeps me focused. The painting above is the first in a small series of... yep, interiors! :)

Here are links to other Show Tips:
Tip #1 - Stock up on Supplies
Tip #2 - Set up Deadlines
Tip #3 - Determine Subject Matter

Painters - join me at this Plein Air Workshop:

April 28-30, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA

Contact Info: Mary Anderson, 912-634-8414