48 By 60 Sycamore Process: Layering Sky & Shadows

Layering the Sky with Ultramarine Blue, Ultramarine Violet and Titanium White

Process Detail 1

Process Detail 2

Process Detail 3

Layering the sky trying to capture a smooth value change of deep blue on top to pale blue below.  Also, I have started working in shadows among the branches using Cobalt Blue and Phthalo Green Blue, which I think is a nice push of color on top of the Van Dyke Brown wash.  My medium is not quite half & half linseed oil:stand oil as I have a little more linseed cut into the mix.  It's starting to come together and I am heading into my favorite part of the process; detailing.

Process for 48 by 60 inch Sycamore Painting

48x60 inch gallery wrapped canvas crafted by Gary Grubbs, Black Mountain, NC

1:50 scale drawing for 48x60 inch Sycamore painting

Using a grid; free hand graphite sketch onto canvas

 Currently on my easel is a 48 by 60 inch canvas, my largest piece to date.   I have fallen in love with the sketch, thrilled to be working large again and trucking along with this commissioned piece.  I will be posting more process images in the coming days, so stay tuned... 

I want to plug the work of craftsman and neighbor Gary Grubbs, maker of custom art canvasses.  He crafted this canvas and a few other sizes for me last week.  The frames are kiln dried to %5 (preventing warping), gallery wrapped fine tooth canvasses with a triple gesso application.  I found Gary going through the archives of Ursula Gullow's blog 'Art Seen Asheville' here.  Gary is kind, does quality work (at affordable prices) and is happy to share a bear story or two.  He can be reached at (828) 669-5562. 

Trees: Visual Rhythm Show, Asheville School

Trees: Bigleaf Magnolia, Street Tree (Norway Maple), Three Beeches

Trees: Elm, Sycamore, Scalloped Bark Pine

Trees: Oak, Sourwood, Sycamore

The show was a wonderful experience.  Thank you to Moni Hill for opportunity to show and to Asheville School for a wonderful venue and to everyone how come out the night of the opening.  Thank you!  
From one show to another.  I took down the pieces last weekend and took them to hang in the lobby of Asheville's local public radio station WCQS, www.wcqs.org  The station will have their doors open the evening of Friday, April 1st during Asheville's Downtown Gallery Associations Art Walk which is from 5-8pm.  www.ashevilledowntowngalleries.org
It should be a great evening.

Elm, process

9x12", pencil on paper

18x24", oil on canvas

I have had my nose to the grindstone staying focused on finishing a group of paintings for a show at the end of January. The show will feature trees, some of which I have posted while in progress.  I am realizing the meaning of "blog" is to share the process of creating so I am making an effort to be more present. This piece is an elm that reminded me of red velvet cake... the rich colors and intense texture really screams at you.