Painting the Foundation

These two images are great examples of how the foundation or first layer placed on the canvas can dictate the final outcome.

The "Field of Daisies" started out completely as an abstract. I just put down colors not knowing what the final piece would be. Daisies emerged much later and the sky was added last.

The "Trees Through the Forest" was inspired by an actual place I witnessed driving up the Mount Baker Highway. The first layer on the canvas mapped out the composition and every layer from that point forward focused on capturing that magical moment.

Garden-Walk Right In

"Garden Illuminated"
6.5' x 8.5'
(big enough to want to walk right into)
See more of my work on my portfolio.

Paint EVERYWHERE!

I keep adding dabs of paint all over, layer after layer.

As you look at the painting, you can see dabs of pastel purples and red and blues in the pink. You can't make a mistake. And check out the leaves below. Orange and reds sit on top along with pale blues and purples.

The painting shirt was a gift. I love wearing it but most of the time I forget to put it on. Luckily, I am not a messy painter.

Garden Grows with Layers of Paint

This painting is stapled on a frame that is 7 x 9 ft. The first coat of paint is actually chalk pastel panted over with matte medium. The first layer helps to sketch out the composition of the piece.

I use golden paints that are more translucent in nature rather than opaque. Their tube of paint makes an easy distinction on their labels that help determine if they are more opaque or more transparent. New layers of acrylic are mixed with matte medium to add to the translucent quality of the paint.

I love painting all over the canvas all at the same time. Dabs of color everywhere! I usually use a little brush too. It's practically impossible to mess up with this large of a canvas and that small of a brush. Different colors just adds more interest to the piece. A leave is green, add dabs of purple, orange, yellow, blue and red. Suddenly, that leaf is looking alive! Check out colors in finished paintings to see what I mean.

Painting Beginnings Can Differ

While the Orchard started out as nearly pure abstract, Garden Illuminated begins with more structure. I still use pastel and matte medium to map out the composition quickly but the first layer is much more tight, the colors are more restricted.

As you get a look below, you can still see the same technique of placing chalk pastel on the canvas covered in matte medium wash is still used but I stay more within "the lines".

The Orchard went from bright to more realistic colors. This painting was reverse, starting out muted then going bright! This garden definitely grows! Future blogs will add on the layers and colors. If you are curious about other completed works, check out more images on my portfolio.

End Chapter 1 - Painting -"The Orchard" Hot Lights

This snapshot demonstrates the softening of the shadows in the grass, tree trunks and apple blossoms. I soften and lighten the background using that technique of scrubbing mentioned in an earlier blog in order to give more air, more depth, more distance between the orchard in the foreground and the forest in the background.

The painting is finished!

Yet, there is one more step! Get it professionally photographed. This photo is a quick snapshot demonstrating technique but there are hot spots of light overhead and everything look yellow and dingy or dull, distorting the image somewhat. Wait till you see what a professional photographer can do. In a future blog, I will show you just how different the two can be. It will knock your socks off!

Visit my portfolio and see if you can tell which photos are professional and which are not in the oil painting section.

Contrast Give POP!

Another day at the Farmers Market and I am getting close to finishing the painting!

Adding more shadows, contrast really will make the blossoms POP!