Country Field - Fix It Friday #20... and PleinAir LIVE!

Country Field, 8 x 6, Oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

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I posted this "Fix" last year, long before I thought of doing this series of "Fix It Friday" on a weekly basis. Since this has been a *busy week for me, I am posting it again. (I couldn't miss my 20th week in a row of Fix-It Friday!) And I think this painting's changes are worth revisiting...

(*See Out-takes from PleinAir Live at the end!)

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES

Problem - Main tree was too perfectly round and static.

Fix -  Gave the main tree a more interesting shape by cutting back into it with the sky and distant tree line. 

Problem - Distant trees were not receding or separating enough from front tree.

Fix - I cooled down distant row of trees.

Problem - Too much weight on the left side. 

Fix - Added more fencing on the right. The added fence counterbalances that weight and creates a more specific "path" into the scene.

Problem - The highlights did not convey the light of that day.

Fix - Lightened up the highlights on the trees.

Problem - There was no reference to the season.

Fix - Added Bluebonnets. It was Texas in Spring, and I just HAD to!! Bluebonnets were everywhere else and I had plenty of reference. 

OBSERVATIONS

This is another case where I had stuck a little too close to reality and lost the feeling! It comes down to this question - what is more important: aesthetic or reality? I say aesthetic. Sometimes it is necessary to adjust reality a bit to accurately portray what we SEE and FEEL about our subject. Permission granted to make changes for the betterment of your painting! 

AND... Below are pictures from my teaching sessions at PleinAir LIVE!

Broadcasting live from the studio of PleinAir Magazine in Austin! 

One presentation included an overview of my process of building a painting and a color mixing demo... 

The other presentation was about overcoming the challenges of painting outside.

Each presentation ended in a Q and A session with Eric Rhodes, publisher of PleinAir Magazine. A HUGE thank you to Eric, the magazine, and to all who signed up!!!

Bunched - Loquat study with Process Shots!

Bunched, 8 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

Davis Gallery Group Show

Circadian Buzz (through August 31)

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One of the focuses of the Davis Gallery group show, Circadian Buzz, was to consider how our daily practices fall into certain rhythms. I am an artist who thrives on disciplined patterns. I paint exclusively in the daylight hours, and sleep at night (call me crazy). I stick to a limited palette to keep things simple (only 9 pigments). I work best when I have goals (for the day, for the week, for the month, and for the year). When it comes to painting it's all an experiment, but I find freedom in a consistent approach and the cadence that brings.

The most important daily practice for any artist is to PRACTICE! For me, much of that practice takes place in the form of studies, both in the studio and outside, en plein air. These studies help me study a subject from different perspectives and experiment with composition. The process shots below were taken in as I painted "Bunched" in my back yard garden this spring.

1) I blocked in the composition and basic values,

using a combination of ultramarine and burnt sienna.

2) Working dark to light, I painted the shadow 

family of each element first.

3) Moving to the light family, I was

careful to preserve the values.

4) As I covered the canvas, my focus was on 

establishing large, simple masses.

5) Final steps include breaking up the large masses. 

I use subtle value shifts to add detail 

and save highlights till the very end.

"Bunched" en plein air at completion.

Field of Wildflowers

Field of Wildflowers (study), 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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A week ago, I took advantage of a bright and sunny morning, and drove out to paint in the fields of McKinney Falls State Park. And they did not disappoint - Bluebonnets and Broomweed covered the ground as far as the eye could see. The blue and yellow combination was simply glorious.

Spring Returns

Spring Returns, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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We have been experiencing the return of color to our landscape as spring brings everything back to life. Trees are leafing out, wildflowers are blooming and, of course, temperatures are warming up. We have even gotten some rain and rain is always welcome in these parts! 

Sunny Bluebonnet Patch - Plein Air Demo

Sunny Bluebonnet Patch, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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The day before my plein air class started this week, I went to the Art School at Laguna Gloria to scout out a good place for my first demo. These lovely bluebonnets were WAY too far from our meet up location, but they were so compelling that I abandoned my scouting expedition and painted them anyway. (We must follow our hearts, mustn't we?) I took photos with my iPhone to document my process and demo'd a different scene the next day. (I can never take pictures while I am doing an actual demo.) 

All to say... here are process notes for my students and for any other painting friends who might enjoy seeing how I "get there".

Blocking in - use a dark neutral mix of French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna. Look for "layers" in the landscape, and break down passages in the painting accordingly. 

Massing in - begin to add large masses of color. Remember that the "layers" will change as they recede in the distance... (elements get cooler, lighter, softer, muted, smaller.)

Continue with massing - pay attention to light and shadow families. Correct/adjust values while bringing colors together and closing the composition.

Break up masses - add form and detail with subtle value and temperature shifts within the masses. Adjust composition and add final finessing of edges and highlights. 

Final painting... Sunny Bluebonnet Patch

Redbud Path

Redbud Path, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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I had to take a little break from my Hawaiian painting adventure and get outside to paint a Redbud tree here in Austin. Yes, a little dose of "be here now" is a good thing, especially when there are pink buds bursting out of bare branches in every direction. It's a sure sign that spring is here in Texas.