Beach Yucca

Beach Yucca, 8x6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

Click to purchase - $150 + s/h

You can tell I am thinking about the beach! Going soon! :) This is a study from one of my walking photos. I don't know about you, but when I head out for a little exercise, my "art eyes" often take over. The iPhone makes it easy to snap away and snap, I do! I'll admit that I can be annoying to walk with. Oh well. (Sorry, Honey.)

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! :)

Evening Silhouettes and Process Shots!

Evening Silhouettes Study, 8x8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2023

SOLD

Wishing you all the happiest Easter. He is Risen! He is risen indeed! 

Here are process shots of this piece. It's always fun to see how they come together, and this one had a little bit different start. 

Paper towel wipe out to establish shapes and get rid of the white canvas.

Outlined the silhouette before going in heavy. 

Painted silhouette and orange base for sky.

Pulled dying sky color down into the orange base, defined shapes.

Modified sky and added distant horizon. Popped the lights in attempt to capture the glory of the sky. Always trying... 

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Just for fun... here is a large one I did from the "study". The darks gave me fits with photographing, but I thought you might be interested in changes from small to large. I took out the side tree and moved the sun (it felt trapped in the branches on the small one.) And I kept more of the orange. I kind of love this one, and am keeping it... sometimes a girl wants one for herself! ;)  

Evening Silhouettes, 24x24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel ©2023

Painted from the small study above - SOLD. 

Creek Reflections

Creek Reflections, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel

SOLD

The marshlands of St. Simons have a particular draw for me... but when deep reflections are involved, I am unable to resist! The stillness, the soft ripples, the warm winter grasses... Mmmm Mmm... so delish! I am looking forward to getting back! 

Winter Marsh

Winter Marsh, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2022

Available

Even in the Golden Isles, some days are cold, wet, and wintery, especially in January. But if it's a painting day, well, one can not be deterred! Fingerless gloves help (if you remember them) and it's always an adventure! The colors are subdued and the soft light offers an overall tonal quality I so love. Even in the cold, the joy of being out makes it worth the effort.

The view from my easel. You can see that the tide went out while I was painting! :)

Call of the Marsh, and Happy New Year!

Call of the Marsh, 12 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2022

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I just returned from celebrating the holidays with my family on the Georgia coast. It was a delicious time with four generations, and never a dull (or quiet) moment with our grandkids having cousin time! 

Happily, we planned an extra week for ourselves and I was able to get in some painting time as well! It felt so good to dip those brushes and focus back in after a few weeks away from the easel! ;) Inspiration is everywhere at the beach, and I can never get enough! 

Wishing you all a happy and inspired new year!

Come Follow - Happy Thanksgiving!

Come Follow, 8 x 16, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

And so the holidays begin... 

Wishing you a peaceful and bountiful Thanksgiving!

Morning Paddler - Figures on Friday #7

 

Morning Paddler, 5 x 7, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

(Still wet, available to ship on Nov 22)

Please forgive the glare on this one. Dark paintings are hard to photograph because they are so reflective. I shot this in many different locations and light trying to avoid it... but I could not eliminate it completely. 

One reader pointed out that a whole series on "boys playing with sticks" could be fun. I agree... how about KIDS playing with sticks!!! Paddling, fishing, hiking... sports in general... it seems like sticks are always IN hand and ON hand for every adventure. This morning kayaker is a grown up example of how kids will always be KIDS! 

I love sticks too! Paintbrushes? Mm-hmmm, sticks! More please! ;) 

Leaning In and Process Shots!

 

Leaning In, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

SOLD

This piece was one of my workshop demos from this past spring. We gathered on Lake Austin on a bit of an overcast day, and this leaning tree drew me in. I loved the way it was curtsying into the lake and how the reflections continued that graceful dipping movement.

The following photos show how this painting came together... 

Block-in using dark neutral mix of ultramarine and burnt sienna.

Added color to upright planes, adjusting value as each recedes into distance.

Added sky plane and ground plane (including water which is ground plane.)

Add final details and spectral highlights at the very end.

Just getting started with block-in... using a light and loose touch.

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Join me at my last workshop of the year! Three day Art Immersion!

Register with Mary Anderson 912-634-8414, Or click below for info:

Autumn En Plein Air, Nov 4-6, 2021, 9am - 4pm, $495

St. Simons Island, GA, Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Summer Flight

Summer Flight, 8x10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

Available

Oh, the glad freedom of summer! Don't we all look forward to those lazy days? (It's not just the kids.) Here in Texas, school started back up this week and it feels like summer is over.... even though it will be hot for months. There is always something about that first day of school that signals an end, AND a new beginning. I like the new beginning idea better... may it be a good one!!

Join me at a workshop in GA! Click for info:

Nov 3-5, 2021 - Autumn En Plein Air - Anderson Fine Art Gallery

Setting Sail and Happy New Year!

Setting Sail, 8 x 10, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2021

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"I miss your blog posts..." emailed a friend and blog follower yesterday. Her heartfelt concern and not so little nudge hit the mark and got me going. (Friends are like that. Thank you, JM.) I never meant to be away for so long, but time really flies, especially during the holidays. And then it is hard to get back on track. Have you noticed that?

I spent much of November and December on St. Simons Island in Georgia... teaching a workshop, plein air painting, and enjoying family. It was wonderful to have some down time and a wide open schedule, especially after one of the craziest years ever! This is a piece from those final days of 2020. I loved that I was able to be outside, observing and painting, and soaking up all the peace that nature has to offer.

We find ourselves "setting sail" once again, with a brand new year ahead. May it be a great one for us all! So much possibility! 

2021 spring workshop schedule (click for registration details):

April 8-10 - St. Simons Island, Georgia

May14-15 - Austin, Texas

Workshop fun... 

AND... precious family joy!!!

Around the Bend and Upcoming Show!

Around the Bend, 36 x 60, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

My largest piece in the show... Sold in Pre-sale! :)

Dear Blog Friends,

When I disappeared at the end of August, the details of my show were calling for my complete attention. I am happy to report that my most recent body of work is now delivered to the gallery for final framing and hanging! WOO HOO! It feels good, let me tell you!

If you are anywhere nearby, please come see the show...

EVIDENCE OF THE SEARCH 

New Work by Laurel Daniel 

October 24 - November 25

Davis Gallery, Austin, TX

Reception Oct 24, 4-8pm

Reception details in the time of Covid:

To keep everyone healthy, the gallery reception will be broken into 30 minute increments of no more than ten people at a time. Book a time slot to the reception through EventBrite.

Three trips to the gallery later, the paintings were all delivered! :)

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. 

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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

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!

Beach Cove Overlook - Fix It Friday #12

Beach Cove Overlook, 18 x 36, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

Today, I am re-sharing a "fix" I made a few years ago... 

After enlarging a plein air piece I painted in California, I immediately saw problems that had not surfaced in the smaller study. Sometimes that happens when going from small to large. 

Here's what happened next...

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - The main subject was unapproachable (grass and foliage in the way).

Fix 1 - Added a pathway that leads to the main subject and focal point. 

Problem 2 - The cove was too circular and dominant.

Fix 1 - Pushed it back by making the shape of cove and waves more elliptical.

Fix 2 - Increased the mass and height of grasses on the bluff to visually overlap the cove (which also helps to subdue it and push it back). 

OBSERVATIONS:

This had the classic battle of different elements fighting for the spotlight. Background was trying to come forward, and the subject was a bit buried. By clarifying a hierarchy of elements, the tension lifted and the whole scene was able to settle into place.

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

FIX IT FRIDAY! Fixing flawed paintings...

Beach Promises, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020

SOLD

INTRODUCING MY NEW SERIES... FIX IT FRIDAY! 

Sometimes, a painting just doesn't work. Usually, I chalk that failure up to practice, and just move on. But some of those "bloopers" have captured something. They cry out for a DO-OVER, and just need some minor editing to make them "work". With a little bit of TLC, they transform and offer up lessons about color, value, or composition. Of course, the goal is always to get it right the first time; but this process helps me identify where and how I lose the plot. (It's also a great warm up activity!)

Read on, and tune in for the next few Fix-It Fridays when I will show my experiments with Do-Overs, including before and after shots and a brief explanation of changes I made. 

Fixer Upper #1 - Beach Promises, 6 x 8, oil on panel

BEFORE

AFTER

CHANGES:

Problem 1 - Corridor to beach is too wide and exposed.

Fix 1 - Made opening more irregular, and enhanced dominance on left side. 

Problem 2 - Foliage is skimpy.

Fix 2 - Enhanced all foliage, keeping left side dominant.

OBSERVATION:
When I painted the original piece on location, I let myself get too stuck to what was actually there (skimpy foliage and all). As painters, we want to be free to exaggerate the "feeling" of the scene and adjust reality as needed. I hope I remember this lesson next time I need to change up the scene a little bit! ;)
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2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

SEE DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE: laureldaniel.com 

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

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

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas (full with wait list)

Awakened to Life - Davis Gallery Group Show

Awakened to Life, 30 x 24, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2019

On display in Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

SOLD

Please join me at the Davis Gallery for the opening of our holiday group show... 

Looking Out, Looking In

Davis Gallery Group Show, Austin, TX

Reception Saturday, December 7

7:00-9:00 pm

Runs through January 11, 2020

As usual, this show will be inspiring. Here is the description... 

Davis Gallery is pleased to announce Looking Out, Looking In, an extensive group exhibit focused on the personal philosophies of premiere Austin and Central Texas based artists. This amorphous concept allows artists to explore the theme freely, and in their own voice. Sacred Geometry, the importance of family, life and death, our connection to Nature, and spirituality are among the perspectives that artists have chosen to focus on. Each of the participating artists have created new work, or carefully chosen work from the past, which uniquely recognizes these concepts.

Winter Harbor

Winter Harbor, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2019

SOLD

Another title for this piece could have been "Moored and Forgotten". Although the harbor waters were smooth as glass, the air was frosty and no one was out for water sports of any kind! The upside??? Those three boats stayed right in place for the duration of my painting session! It was pretty cold for painting too. I'm not going to lie, I didn't last long myself. :)

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2020 PLEIN AIR WORKSHOP INFO:

(A good thing to add to your Christmas list!)

March 30-April 2, 2020 - Wimberley, Texas

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

May 8-9, 2020 - Austin, Texas

SEE DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE: laureldaniel.com