Ranchland - Fix It Friday!

 

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

Click for purchase info

After this demo in a recent workshop, I looked up and immediately saw that my whole subject matter was squished into the bottom left corner of my canvas! I had been talking so much, explaining how to create distance with scale shift and atmospheric perspective, that I forgot all about my composition. 

There is a design rule that says, "Never stop your subject at the vertical OR horizontal midline. Make sure it crosses over to avoid cutting your image in HALF." Well, this ranch tree breaks that rule completely. The canvas is cut in half both vertically AND horizontally. Turns out, this was a demo on what NOT to do compositionally and a good lesson in humility for me. ;)

So, here you go, a demo do-over...

BEFORE

PROBLEM

AFTER

Problem - Subject matter is squished into the corner.

Fix - Made subject taller and wider to cross mid-lines of the page.

Problem: All the weight is on the bottom left.

Fix - Added two more trees along the fence line to add weight on the right. This also helps to pull the eye further into the frame.

OBSERVATIONS:

It's a fact of life that sometimes when we are focused on one thing, we completely miss something else! This was a great reminder to stop and assess before getting too far along... whatever you are doing. And, take a do-over if you can! 

Ocean Point and Workshop Process Shots!

Ocean Point, 8x10, Oil, L. Daniel © 2023

Click for purchase info

Last week I taught a workshop in the Golden Isles of Georgia. So much fun! We spent most of our time on St. Simons Island, but on the first day we went to Jekyll Island. My students were wonderful, and this is my demo from that morning. 

For students and painting lovers everywhere, the following images illustrate and explain my process...

Starting with a mix of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna, I make a quick outline sketch. This helps me place and contain the elements of the scene I want to include on the canvas. 

With that same mix of Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna, I indicate values within those elements, keeping it thin and dry.

Working dark to light, I paint in the dark uprights in the foreground and background planes.

I mass in color and value for sky plane and ground plane. 

Once large masses of each plane are in place, I begin to break them up with subtle value shifts.

My final marks are saved for the highest highlights and finessing edges. 

Beautiful day... perfect for a little plein airing! :)

Bait Shop Morning - Fix-It Friday #11

 

Bait Shop Morning, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

This plein air painting has been sitting in my studio for a couple of years... just waiting for some attention. It depicts a long-standing bait shop out in the middle of a marsh in the Golden Isles of Georgia. I love the dancing trees along the road that leads to it, and I have painted it several times from various angles and in different lighting. When I painted this one on location, I just didn't quite "get" the light and ambience of the day...

So, years later, here are some fixes... 

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem 1 - The horizon line and row of trees was smack-dab in the middle of the picture plane and divides the painting into halves. 

Fix 1 - Dropped the horizon line, the base of bait shop, and the roots of the tree trunks.

Problem 2 - The light lacked commitment and its source was undefined.

Fix 1 - Added color to morning sky.

Fix 2 - Darkened cloud bank.

Fix 3 - Added highlights to bait shop and trees to indicate light source.

Fix 4 - Darkened foreground marsh to focus light on the subject (the bait shop and road).

Fix 5 - Darkened distance uprights to help highlights in subject to pop.

OBSERVATIONS:

When painting the landscape, it's important to leave some of the details out. That can be hard because there is so much going on, and everything seems important. But we have to choose what is MOST important. It helps to keep asking myself, "what is the painting about?" I always do better when I stay "on message".

Notice everything, and then choose.

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

Misty Spray - painting in Laguna Beach!

Misty Spray, 10 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Available - Click HERE for information

I saw this spot from above and decided to hike down to it. In theory, I was just "checking it out", but deep down I knew I would not go back up until I had finished a painting. Partly, because of the climb... for sure. But more importantly, I have learned that if I don't settle down and get started, I might roam around for two hours with nothing to show for it!

Soon after I started, that overcast sky began to drizzle. It was my last morning to paint in CA, and I was not about to turn back. Thankfully, I had my umbrella (which works just as well for rain as it does for sun), so I popped it up and was able to forge on. I'm sure you have heard that oil and water don't mix, well it is very true! If the canvas gets wet, the paint won't stick!! 

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

November 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School, FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414

Rock Passage - painting in Laguna Beach!!

Rock Passage, 12 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to do some painting in Laguna Beach, CA! SUCH fun!! It's a beautiful place and there is a compelling view in every direction. The hard part, as always, was choosing what to paint and how much to include. This iconic rock formation is probably the most painted spot there, but I couldn't resist giving it a go. 

Here is my set up from the overlooking cliff...

2019 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

Nov. 8-9, 2019 - Austin, Texas

Contemporary Austin Art School 

FULL - Register for waitlist Here 

2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

Contact Helena Hauk, Wimberley Artists Workshops, 800-327-1913

April 16-18, 2020 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

Contact Mary Anderson, Anderson Fine Art Gallery, 912-634-8414 

Local Harvest

Local Harvest, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Painted for solo show "Beaches, Birds and Botanicals"

SOLD at Anderson Fine Art Gallery

When my neighbors' orange tree was producing so much fruit they couldn't eat it all, they graciously let me come in and do a little harvesting of my own. I love to paint fruit that has just been picked, especially when the leaves are still on it! I also love this color combination... orange and turquoise - delish! Thank you, HC!!

Shifting Sands - Georgia Coast

Shifting Sands, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2017

The way beach sands shift and move always amazes me. Tides, winds, currents, and storms all have a hand in that process and it seems to change almost by the day.

These partially buried beach rocks tell a story of change on St. Simons Island. They were originally placed along this beach after Hurricane Dora in 1964, by President Lyndon Johnson (referred to as the "Johnson Rocks".) The storm had caused so much damage and flooding that the large granite rocks were placed strategically along the beach to prevent further loss and erosion. As nature would have it, the sands have continued to shift, and now, over 50 years later, they have completely returned (and then some). The beach is greatly expanded, and has filled in and covered many of the Johnson Rocks on this beach. 

It's always a treat to walk down there and see what's new! :)

Bright Spring Morning and Workshop Info

Bright Spring Morning, 8 x 16, oil, L. Daniel © 2017

Available

When spring arrives I am always ready to get outside and paint again. This particular day was a little chilly and lots of trees were still bare, but I was able to find a well-lit green spot at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The leftover winter grasses were glowing red, and offering up a delightful pop of complimentary color. It was great to be out!

WORKSHOP:
Painters - I still have a few openings in my workshop on St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast... If you can get away, come join me! Focus - Discover how a disciplined approach to your plein air work can lead to free and expressive painting sessions... 

En Plein Air: Strong Starts
March 30 - April 1, 2017
Contact: Anderson Fine Art Gallery
Email: mand@mingdspring.com
Phone: 912-634-8414
More details, click HERE.

Avenue B Grocery

Avenue B Grocery, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

Several weeks ago, I met up with a group of painters from Plein Air Austin to paint an older, Austin neighborhood. I love this little store. It is Austin's oldest, continuously-operated grocery store, was built in 1909, and on is 10th owner!! They make delicious sandwiches and are VERY well-loved by the locals. 

Below is my block-in... so you can see how I got started...

 and a view of the painting in process with store in background.

Ready and Waiting - with Process Shots

Ready and Waiting, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

Available

Rows of boats always compel me to stop and take a closer look. Their shapes and lines create interesting rhythms across the landscape. I loved how these were peeking through the foliage and catching the light. It was fun to get just a suggestion of the hulls and masts!

Here are a few process shots from the scene to the finish. I have to admit that once I start painting, I forget to stop and take pictures, so there are a few missing steps. (Best laid plans, as they say!!!)

The scene from my easel

 My block in

Adding color

Final painting

Painting friends... 

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.

Wild Sunflowers

Wild Sunflowers, 16 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

These Sunflowers are abundant in Texas at this time of year. They seem to thrive on the heat and searing light, and pop up spontaneously in the wild. I love them BECAUSE of their resilience, and also for their wispy and whimsical beauty.

Painters, please join me at my Austin workshops this fall...

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

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

Registration begins at The Contemporary Austin School of Art on August 9 for Members (by phone 512-323-6380) and August 11 for Public (by phone and online). For catalog and more info: Click HERE.

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... ;)