To begin again

My inspiration was the far right corner of the field beyond the trees and that is what I initially used for my focal point in the rule of thirds. I loved the hay bales against the trees in the distance also. As I painted from top to bottom, I realized I would need more in the foreground so...since the cows were meandering, grazing,laying down, getting up...I got a few photos and worked the cows in using the camera for reference, although it is terribly hard to see in the sunlight. During an Ohio Plein Air Society critique I had been told by Jack Liberman twice that my backgrounds look pasted on so I remembered to blur the edges and gray the trees in the distance. I do have difficulty with my greens and had to repaint them as they ended up too dark for the sunny day. I do like a little drama and strong values in my paintings but that just doesn't work in most plein air paintings.I tried to design the shadows to point to the focal point even though the sun was above the trees but the light was still on the cows and I liked that they were peaceful looking.

Sneaking into the Meadow

This little painting was done from a photo of an area near Clearfork Reservoir near Lexinton Ohio. I seem to work best when I underpaint the darks with my violet. Then I put in the sky and bring those colors down into the water. I do like the contrast in this painting.

Sunspot Bench

This painting was done 2 weeks ago when I could leave my Mom for a couple hours. I am fascinated with benches so this was my second bench painting. This was also done at Kingwood Center as it is just a few miles from my home. Again I tried to look for contrast and composition. The sun was in and out that day and it was difficult to catch the light. I had to use imagination and innovation. Again I block in with my violet and worked from top to bottom. I would like to paint similar to BeckyJoy a daily painter. I just love her vibrant paintings.

The Garden Path

Last Monday I finally got to Plein Air paint. A group of us went to Kingwood Center. I chose the spot because of the dark trees beyond and the sharp contrast of the sun on plants and flowers at the back. I liked the composition of the path meandering to the point of interest. I began by blocking in the darks with my favorite violet as an underpainting. Then I mostly paint from top to bottom. I think I spent 2-2 1/2 hours on this. The only addition I made at home was add a longer sunspot in the lower left and my name. The only thing I would do different is to make more contrast in the light areas. I know what I want but have trouble achieving it.

Unable to post temporarily

Until I can get more help and get Mom into assisted living I will be unable to post, paint or participate. Overwhelmed!

Great watercolor class

We had a great class last night. Next week will take my camera and post the paintings. Today must get ready to take paintings to the weekend show and prepare for 26 artists to paint plein air at Kingwood Center Saturday in Mansfield, OH. Great Ohio painters painting out where you can watch.

Mohican Bird feeder

Now you can see what I have added. Some of the tree limbs point down to the bird feeder. The two red spots, the cardinal and the red head of the woodpecker also draw the eye to the feeder. The pines below anchor the feeder to the ground. Much planning went into which birds where for the design of the painting. Both Mohican paintings were uploaded to my FineArtAmerica site.