More ... brushstroke by brushstroke

A little more added to the sky and the water. 
Still finding my way through this - finding it a bit overwhelming in size... 
But reminding myself that this is how a painting often unfolds - inch by inch, brushstroke by brushstroke with a lot of uncertainty! 

Developing the idea - working out the composition - starting the process

Painting a landscape - or any work of art - is truly a process.  

There are many preliminary steps in the creation of a painting - and there are many steps of just plain work to get it made.  All of it totals many hours of thinking, of applying one's knowledge, of working with pencil, of adjusting, and then - finally - working with brush and paint.

For several months now, this painting has been moving from concept to beginning stages.  I'd like to say its moved beyond beginning stages, but really ... it hasn't!  

Its large --  2'x3'.  And, it has taken a lot of thought, sketching, planning, and waiting for things to dry before I can move on.  I hope to have more finished soon, though I know this is one that will take time to complete.  

That's what I've been up to here - that, and some drawing.  All related to this painting!  

Water's Edge - Graphite Tree Study

Water's Edge  9x12" graphite on paper

©2016  Helen Read 

matted in white to fit 14x18" frame

SOLD

One of the things I'm doing as I prepare to paint the larger landscape I've recently started is to draw trees...and by doing so, learning about the individual characteristics of different trees.  What has impressed me is that each one is uniquely itself and it seems as if each has its own individual story to tell.   This one inhabits the edge of a stream.  It has lower branches hanging just over the water's surface with curling, rolling roots that plunge beneath the water's surface and a variety of branches that have sprung up rather low on its trunk.  Such an interesting profile!  

Back in the studio ---

It's been too long --  travel, a strenuous schedule at work, fighting off illness, exhaustion.   The last month has slipped away, it seems.  

But I'm working again on a LARGE (for me) landscape.  It measures 24" x 36". 

I've stated with sketches in full size then moved on to working on the canvas. Here's my progression so far:

Graphite and charcoal

A little color added

Rough sketch on the canvas

Starting to add paint to the canvas