Stormy Evening

Rainy days are made for painting!  From my perch on the hill, I can see the vistas in all four directions.  With everything from clearing sunset to stormy downfall in the skies, all four directions were very different!  Choosing the storm clouds to the north, some of that clearing western light was bouncing off them.  It is always important to work quickly, especially with the fading light.  In this case, I laid in the dark masses first, followed by the mid-tones.  Lightest parts went in next, blending with my brush as needed.  Barely getting this done before nightfall, this is my 2032nd painting in 2032 days.

Storm in Ephraim

Set up on the beach of a friend's home in Ephraim, I watched the approaching clouds with interest.  Mist rolled in like the waves, clouds changed colors and formations.  As it became clear the storm was not dissipating, I passed over the oils for my inks. I have never captured clouds with ink before!  Loving the challenge, I started with my lines, lightly laying them into the sky, which really means I was afraid of messing them up!  Moving the ink with my water brush pen, I manipulated the clouds to represent what was before me.  It was SO fun!!  To darken, I simply dropped in more ink, getting the feel of the day.  THAT is the plein air experience!  Painting number 2013 in 2013 days!.

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Clouds Over the Marshland

Clouds Over the Marshland
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5 - purchase here

Another full day, all company has left, and bedtime has come and gone - I can return to my easel for my daily art fix.  Tonight, I am really in the mood for clouds - dark and full of drama.  The skies have offered up much inspiration these last days, and now I am committing them to canvas.  Only using two brushes, and my favorite palette knife, I have quickly captured this with broad, loose strokes.  And, this painting has a surprise underneath - one fourth of another landscape which I cut down to reuse the panel!  Waste not, want not - and now I must get my things ready for the paint out tomorrow! This is painting number 970 in 970 days :)

On the Open Water

On the Open Water
Oil on panel, 14x11
sold

I have been working on this tall ship painting, and now I think it is finished.  I will leave it on the easel, and check it again in the natural light.  It is past dark tonight, and with the darker colors, it is hard to get a good image where hue is concerned.  There is more ultramarine and prussian in the dark water and skies than shows here.  So, once again, I will have to wait until midday to get a good image. If only I could finish all paintings when the light is still good - ah, but that is not my life!  Leaving it on the easel also allows me to view it in all kinds of light, making sure all is as I want it to be.  This painting is a moody one - and number 705 in 705 days :)

October Hackberries

October Hackberries
Oil on panel, 5x7

I painted this one from the porch as another thunderstorm blew in today.  I love the glorious yellow of the hackberries as the season changes.  The green of the grass and the yellows of the foliage seemed to glow against the dark of the approaching storm.  I started this one with brushwork, using the palette knife as I moved into the foreground.  I was experimenting with creating more depth from the background to the foreground by using both brushes and knives.  The stormy sky matches my gloomy mood today, as I found our beloved black lab down by the road today.  She has been a wonderful dog these last 11 years, and she will be sorely missed.  This painting makes 297 in 297 days.