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Thursday, July 29, 2010

100 plein air paintings in 100 days - #81/#82/#83

#81 - "Light and Shadow"
Original Oil 6x8"

10/07/08 (7:30pm)
I LOVED this subject, it's always intriguing to paint from the shadows into light, I find it's a composition that really invites the viewer into the painting.

These 3 pieces were painted on the same day as the 4 in the last post. Yup - 7 paintings in one day... this was the most painted on any single day in the project, my average was 2 or 3.



#82 - "Mountain Patterns"
Original Oil 6x8"
For purchase info click here

10/07/08 (8:55pm)
Went home and stocked up on more panels, wanted to try another speed painting. With timed paintings sometimes my approach is to seek out a rhythm and try to get that down in as few brushstrokes as possible. Really fun!





#83 - July Evening"
Original Oil 6x8"
For purchase info click here

10/07/08 (9:25pm)
Mosquitoes were out in full force for this one! Same spot as #81, turned 180 degrees. Halfway in I heard rustling in the grasses behind me and turned to see this female elk wading through the water. We eyed each other up for a few moments, decided we had our own agendas, and proceeded to get on with them. (Keeping one eye over my shoulder - just to be sure she hadn't changed her mind.)

7 comments:

  1. My goodness, you're a painting machine! Such beautiful works were pouring out of you that day. I bet you hated to see it end...

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  2. Well, you've mastered mountains! And evening light. No small feat. #81 is particularly spectacular. Love your rich greens/values/reflections.

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  3. No. 81 is superlative; the composition, the colour palette, and the streak of highlighted water all create what I think is the ultimate in this painting; any painting. I'll need to know what you mixed to create the greens in these evening paintings; they're right on the mark. Thanks for including the photo of the elk. It helps me see exactly where you are and I can picture myself there with you.

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  4. Hate to use an over worked word, but...AWESOME!

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  5. i love the greens in these! And the light on the mountains. Just wonderful paintings. You really show us that it is evening. Can you say more about your speed painting process (and apologies if you already have done so). I can do a panel of this size outside in an hour 15 minutes pretty consistently, but 30-45 minutes seems REALLY short. How do you do it?

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  6. Thank you all for your great comments, I love that you guys show up!

    Alice, I'll be guessing at the greens, because I can never remember, but I'm thinking Ultramarine blue, transparent oxide red, cad yellow, yellow ochre light (by rembrandt, my favourite yellow) and a new favourite, azo green. Very transparent and a bit much straight out of the tube, but gorgeous! Usually helps to modify it with red or blue.

    Bobbi, typically I block in a painting with some starting point value and colour that is close to what I want and then modify it as I go, also adding details and finishing touches. With speed painting, I try and get the exact colour and value immediately, create interesting brushwork that describes the lay of the land, and leave out any detail. Ideally you should be able to have your whole canvas covered within a half hour anyway, (with another 45 minutes or so spent 'finishing'), so here the goal is to have it covered and 'right' straight out of the gate.

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  7. Nice stuff Liz. By the way a female elk is called a cow elk.

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