Original Oil Painting Reaching the Shelter

Reaching the Shelter

9" x 12"

Painted on gessobord.

When I first posted this painting it was the small photo below. The tree branches needed adjusting especially the strong white curved line leading the viewer's eye out of the composition. I also needed a better photo. The photo below was too bright or washed out. At first I thought it was my computer screen but when I saw it on my iPad too, I knew it was the lighting in which I took the photo. The sun is much lower in the sky and shines into the studio room like a search light later in the day.  Today's photo on top is much better. I took the photo this morning vs late afternoon the day before.  I fixed the crazy branches and got a much better photo to represent the painting. I probably should not of posted as soon as the painting was finished for the day. It did give me the chance to explain the process of photographing and remind me that viewing the painting on a screen or seeing the painting in  reverse through a mirror can give the artist a fresh look. That way the artist might see mistakes he or she made and fix them.

Original Oil painting Pathway by River

Pathway by River

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12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord. 

I am really mixing up my subject matter this month. I painted flowers, landscapes and birds. I wonder what I should paint next. I like to mix things up a bit to see if I can incorporate different techniques into different subject matters. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. In this painting I used white wash to push back the farthest horizon line and quite down parts in the river. I did not flick edges in this as I do try in my still lifes and animals. I am not sure why other than I am not sure where to use it.  When I get close to finishing a painting it is more important the brush strokes, thickness of paint and color that are interesting. Subject matter is just the theme in which I paint lovely lines, shapes and paint. Paint the Paint, did I just say that? Maybe I am finally learning something new.