New pond painting

The underpainting and drawing

First acrylic layer

I really love these pond paintings. There is something so freeing about putting on the paint here. I concentrate on the colors more than the absolute structure of the image and let the brushes fly.  So different form the pen and ink work.

I wanted to put in the reddish reflections from the Boise Train Depot roof on the upper area to pop up the color palette.  It’s not quite right yet, but I am working on it.

Another painting up

First acrylic layer

Layer two

I decided to keep in painting mode. I have been watching a lot of art videos this spring and summer while we stay home and it has helped me stay inspired to work.  I painted this scene last year closer in and on a smaller canvas, but felt that I could do it again in a larger format. I loved the vivid colors then and I still do.

This one will need something in the lower third.  I haven’t decided what yet.

Two more gelli mosaics

Koi pond

French bulldog

Since I like the way the last paper mosaic came out, I decided to try again.  These two are the result.  I am not as fond of these as I am of the first one, but I am not unhappy with them either.

I think the koi pond lacks enough depth, but I was only working with the failed gelli prints that I had.  I am not sure I want to go to the task of printing up some darker plates.  Still, I do like the composition and the water effect.  The French bulldog was just fun.  I am not really happy with the background.  When I chose it, I thought it would be a nice contrast, but now I see it is too close in tonal quality.  Live and learn.  Back to painting this week.

Maybe the final for this landscape

Foothills final

I think this one might be done.  The overall effect is pleasing and the foreground is the best part to my eye.  I like the colors and the suggestion of the grasses.

I worked on the midground shrubs and I think improved them.  The shadows using acrylics still seem to give me the most trouble but I am finding that a darker glaze, judiciously applied, sometimes helps.  I can more subtly darken an area without covering it up completely.  Time will tell.

Two days into an Idaho foothills painting

Two days in

Another small foothills painting inspired by the Landscape show.  I am trying to keep the brush strokes loose and colorful.  It is hard compared with the precision of using an ink pen, but I am sure it is good for me.

More Boise Depot

Depot pond source

I didn’t like the way they shadowing was playing pout here and so I tried a partial dark glazing instead.  I like it, but will let it sit for a bit more.  It does look better on the table than in the photo.

More the of Boise Depot water feature

Third painting session

Third painting session and I really can’t decide if it’s done.  I am happy with the water and most of the rocks.  I even like the right side of the vegetation.  I just can’t decide on the shadowing on the left.  Maybe I should just dive in and put some darker tones in there.  I have let it sit a week due to some family things but I still go back and forth on what to do.  What do you think?

New Painting of the Boise Depot

Inspired by

Layer one

Layer two

Last week the 2018 season of the British show “Landscape Artist of the Year” came on tv and it inspired me, once again, to try my hand at it.  I so admire any artist who can produce a very creditable landscape in just four hours under competition pressure when I struggle to do anything vaguely pleasing in a week time.

I have tried to keep this loose and flowing and not be hung up on details.  I am pleased with it so far.  It’s at the point now that I have to be careful not to be afraid to lay more paint on and just go ahead and do it.  That is one thing I noticed in the show.  Mostly, they just went in and did it – and knew when to stop.

Another lily pond

Intermediate layer

Final layer, maybe

The lily pad paining number five may or may not be finished.  I have let it set a few days and I still can’t decide. I’m more pleased with it than when I stopped, but I am not yet convinced that it is done.  I think the gloss varnish will help deepen, yet soften the colors, but I’m not quite ready to take that step.  Overall, I am happy with the balance of colors.

Another lily pad painting

Under-painting

Lily pad’s first color layer

The lily pad paintings have been calling to me to do another one. I went back to the photos and picked one with pink lotus flowers instead of white and a nice mixture of colors for the pads.

This is 12X9 and the lily pads are larger compared with the other two paintings close to this size.  I will have to find a good balance of detail versus abstract.  I still have way too much problem with any intricate brush work.