Live Oak Allee - Graphite Study

Graphite Study for Live Oak Allee

Back to in the studio & it feels good.  Above is a sketch for 'Live Oak Allee', a commissioned painting.  It was a bit of a struggle getting the composition balanced or to a place where I felt it was interesting.  I think I struggled because my paintings typically focus on the tree as subject and this is more about the path.  A fun challenge I must say.  Paint on.

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.

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.

Street Tree in the Fall - Norway Maple

24x24", oil on canvas

A norway maple stands juxtaposed with utility lines.
The bark twisted, splintered and limbs amputated. Still, the fall show was stopping traffic.

3 Beeches

24x24", oil on canvas

The final work from a previous post. I used a wash of yellow ocher as an under coat which was a fresh approach to this series. I don't have a set process of how I begin painting, except for sketching. I think this is an asset...it keeps me searching.

Sourwood

(cropped view) 24x24", oil on canvas

Magnolia, working on light

This piece is one I am developing for a show in January.  It has been a tough one.  I keep chasing the light that I was my inspiration.  The Big Leaf Magnolia is quite exquisite and I hope to do her justice.

Magnolia fraseri study

This sketch was done a month or so ago and I have already started painting this one.  Studying these guys is a real treat, especially since they are out our back door.  Lovely.

Prepretory Sketch

In preparation for a new painting I snapped some images of sycamores around Asheville.  This is one of many, many, many. 

I did several sketches from photos like this one to work out the composition and tonal balances.  Then I placed a 2" grid over the sketch with blue pencil.

From there,  I placed an 8" grid on a 48x48" canvas and started with a sepia outline.  More to come as it progresses.