Overflowing and a Demo

Overflowing, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Workshop Demo - NFS

This is the second demo I did for my work-shoppers last week. Several of you have written to ask about my process and what I was teaching. Although I didn't get process shots of either piece I painted in class, below is a series of paintings from my handout that show my general approach. Of course, this is greatly simplified (you have to come to the class for the long version - wink, wink) but hopefully, you will get the gist.

Under Drawing Block In

Consider this a road map of your composition.

Identify and separate shadow family from light family.

 Establish Values in Color

Paint SHAPES of color and light.

(SQUINT DOWN for large masses.)

Add Subtle Shifts

Break up major shapes with subtle value and temperature shifts to suggest detail.

Add Highlights, lowlights, calligraphy

These are the finishing touches - Save till last!

I do love still life work and believe that painting from life in the studio is incredibly good practice. DO try this at home! :)

Three Pears

Three Pears, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Workshop Demo

Last weekend I taught a still life workshop here in Austin. I thought I was pretty clever scheduling a warm, indoor workshop in January... and then the polar blast arrived. The city came to a near halt due to ice on roads and overpasses; and we almost had to cancel. But in spite of the wintery threats, we all made our way to the studio and painted lovely fruits and flowers while the storm blew through. This was my demo piece from our first session. Many thanks to my brave students who risked life and limb for art!

Feathered Friends 2

Feathered Friends 2, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

This is the last of my chicken studies. The three make a great little suite of paintings… a brood of their own. Happily, they are staying together as they travel to their new home. I had fun with these funny characters, and I will miss them! 

Feathered Friends 1

Feathered Friends 1, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

SOLD

This little painting was a great study of bird bodies, feathers and chicken gestures. And it was fun. Chickens have so much personality and swag… and maybe a bit of pompous-ness? In this case it almost seemed like they owned the place. (Perhaps they do!) :)

See larger commission piece here. 

See more Small Works here.

Family Farm Study

Family Farm Study, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

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… And this is the study for my commission piece of the family farm in Iowa. (See larger commission piece here.) Since I knew the chickens had to be part of this scene, I painted them a few times leading up to the final painting. I had several photos of our feathered friends, and this piece helped me determine their actual size and placement in relation to the magnificent barn. 

Family Farm - Christmas Commission

Family Farm, 16 x 16, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2014

Commission - Sold

The holidays have come and gone and we are already halfway through January! How did that happen? This Christmas, I was commissioned by some dear friends to paint their daughter-in-law's family farm in Iowa (she lives in Texas now). They secretly gathered photos and information from her parents and grandparents for the project; and it was a fun team effort bringing about this Christmas surprise. Are my friends great in-laws, or what?

In the process, I quite fell in love with this wonderful, gothic barn and the brood of chickens who reside there. I did several small studies in preparation, to get "practiced up" on my chicken painting techniques. So… more feathered friends to come. :)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Turk's Cap, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013, SOLD

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

and 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Thank you for your support and friendship. Being able to share my work with you is a privilege I never take for granted. I especially appreciate that each correspondence we share brings the world a little closer. May this holiday season find you happy and healthy, and celebrating with your loved ones. 

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Gazing Ball Sparkle

Gazing Ball Sparkle, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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Last week, Plein Air Austin met up for our last official paintout of the year at The Lookout, a wedding venue in the Hill Country. It was a bright, sunny morning and this deep blue garden gazing ball was sparkling irresistibly. I do love a garden, and I hope we can go back in the spring. Many thanks to Ann for having us out! 

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Autumn Blaze

Autumn Blaze, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

We have had some cold snaps down here (back in Texas) and the landscape has quickly made its transition into winter mode. The soft light of a gray day made the golden colors extra vibrant and dramatic last week. It was worth enduring a chilly, "wintery mix" to get outside and paint those beautiful transient tones. 

See more Small Works. 

Beach Shadows - Hawaii

Beach Shadows, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 

This is my last painting from my visit to Hawaii; and the quiet beach in this scene was a favorite "find" on my way to the North Shore of Oahu. I spent a delightful morning painting here, watching the clouds floating by and listening to the waves crashing into shore. It was hard to leave such beauty (and my daughter and son-in-law), and I am already looking forward to going back! :)

Monkeypod Canopies - Hawaii

Monkeypod Canopies, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013 

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All over the Hawaiian islands Monkeypod trees spread their canopies like huge umbrellas. In addition to being really beautiful, the cool thing about these trees is that their leaves release nitrogen which fertilizes the ground below. (Most trees block the light which kills the plant life below.) So as the saying goes, the "grass is always greener" under the Monkeypod tree... quite literally.

See other Small Works.

Waiahole Poi Factory - Hawaii

Waiahole Poi Factory, 6 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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The Waiahole Poi Factory is right on the Kamehameha Highway heading to the north shore of Oahu, and it is clearly a favorite lunch spot for the locals. They serve island delicacies like Kalua Pig, Squid Lu'au, and Laulau with pounded Poi on the side. I had a great morning, painting across the street and watching people come and go. 

Poi: a Hawaiian dish made from the fermented root of the taro, which has been baked and pounded to a paste.

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Mountain Fog - Hawaii

Mountain Fog, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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This is another painting from my misty day on Oahu. I love how fog settles on the mountaintops and mystically creeps down into the canyons. It's kind of primal looking and always makes me start humming the theme song to Jurassic Park. :)

Sadly, my fun to Hawaii came to an end on Saturday. Of course, I am happy to be home, but I hated to leave! I have more island paintings yet to come, so please stay tuned. 

See more Small Works.

Misty Coastline - Hawaii

Misty Coastline, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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Even foggy, voggy days in the Hawaiian islands capture the imagination. The mist settles in and adds a quieting layer in the atmosphere. On this morning, it grayed everything out to a lovely soft pink. 

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Azure Reflections - Hawaii

Azure Reflections, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

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The light and colors of Hawaii are uniquely intense and very intoxicating. It's almost impossible to squelch the constant "oohs" and "ahhhs" that spill out of my mouth. I am very grateful to be here taking it all in. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!

Waterfront Lanai - Hawaii

Waterfront Lanai, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2013

Greetings from Hawaii! I am here in Kaneohe Bay on Oahu, visiting my daughter and son-in-law for Thanksgiving. Of course, I just HAD to come a week early to get some painting in as well. :) It has been wonderful all around - having time with my kids and being inspired by the sights and scents of paradise. Each morning has greeted me with new and wonderful scenes that I will share with you over the next few days.

Can you imagine sitting on your lanai (back porch) and seeing this view every day? I don't know who lives here, but they sure are lucky!! Here was my view...

Marshland Creek and End of Show!

Marshland Creek, 36 x 18, oil on canvas, L. Daniel © 2013

Available at the Davis Gallery

This is the last week of my show at the Davis Gallery here in Austin, and I could not be happier with how it all went. The work is up through Saturday 11/16, so it's not too late to visit. Many thanks to those of you who have stopped by to see the work in person, or who have taken a look at it on my website. Your comments and encouragement mean the world to me and keep me energized. Thank you, thank you, thank you!