Tuesday, April 14, 2009

What starts the spark?

This is one of my favorite plein air paintings.

This was done last September at Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie. It was early morning and the light was fantastic. I decided that the dock would be the center of interest and positioned it where the 1st third of the side panel and the first third of the top panel met. This point would be the darkest dark and the lightest light met. This is also where the most detail occurs. One can always add the brightest color in this spot. I began this painting by painting the sky first and making the clouds go toward the center of interest for a design element. The darks were then put in thinly a dark purple and let dry. Then the colors of the land and trees were added. The water was done with light and dark blues with a design to lead the eye into the picture.

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