Trees are taking root!

Between a busy semester-end week and waiting for paint to dry a bit more, I'm finally getting to do more on this landscape today. 

If you look closely, you can see some subtle color added to the farthest tree line.  Then grayer tree trunks for further trees and finally the trunks of nearer trees. 

I'm not working from any 1 reference picture, but from a variety of references.  So I'm constructing the shape of the trees as I go.  They have a rather upright habit. Perhaps most like elm trees.

Next- more waiting for paint to dry!  Then some scant foliage and the foreground! 

A little under painting underway!

This afternoon, I'm laying in the structure for this new landscape with a value wash,  it's very rough, which is how it should be... What I'm looking for is whether I think the values themselves create an interesting composition.  Now is the time to make that determination and make any alterations in composition.  I've used a mixture of permanent violet and raw sienna with terpenoid. I've only suggested where the trees will stand at this point - paying more attention to background values.  After drying a bit, this will be ready to add more color.  

The first steps - a new idea, a new painting!

I'm just beginning the first steps for a new landscape.  This one will be a little larger 16 x 12".  I used to work always in this size or larger... And now I'm returning to that desire, especially for landscapes. 

Tonight I toned a canvas and did value studies while working out a structure.  I'm still interested in doing a tonal  painting, but with colors of spring.  

Perhaps tomorrow or this weekend, I'll be able to start painting.... I hope!  It's a very busy season with the end of the semester, administering finals, helping students finish things up, and putting the classrooms away for the summer.  But, I plan to paint as much as I can!  

Would you be interested in....

$32.00 off the regular price?  from now through May 31st

Besides featuring my newest work and my comments about how and why and my intentions as I paint in my monthly newsletter,  Notes from my Studio, I also made a limited time offer on these 2 paintings.  I only make this offer available to my newsletter recipients.  The offers vary from month to month.  I also include interesting tidbits about managing a full time job & art, about various travel experiences I may have, about how faith and my work intersect, and family events.  

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Forest Landscape

Forest Light,  12x9" Oil on gessoed panel 

© Helen Read 

 

This morning, when I woke up, the world was filled with a misty fog... so beautiful and mysterious, made even more beautiful by the light of the sun breaking through.  This painting captures that idea; a quiet awakening with the glorious light of the sun breaking through.

This one is now finished and looking for its new home!  It is almost dry and will be ready to send in a few days.

Last weekend

Last week was very busy as it always is when we hang our student art show.  We estimate we had over 1,000 entries - a wonderful opportunity for our students! But, exhausting!!