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CYPRESS CREEK MORNING

May 1st, 2008

05_01_08.jpg


6X8 oil on canvas panel $100 (see PURCHASING for framing offer)
I like the way this turned out. The subject is from the same creek as yesterday’s painting. I’m just looking upstream from the same location. I decided to show you my two main preparatory stages, again.
First the basic composition and value arrangement. I usually don’t work this sketch out any further than the placement of the main masses of dark along with a general indication of grays, leaving the raw canvas for the lights. This stage is the biggest help in establishing the confidence that I have something, and the fun factor gets a real boost once I can see balance, focus and pattern at work.
cypresscreekmorningsketch.jpg
The next stage is to lay in transparent color (no white in mixes yet) to approximate the major color masses. Here, I lay the foundation for the interplay of hues. I try to put these washes in darker and stronger than they will appear in the finish. I like painting the first round of thin opaques (white added to color) on top of this loose brightly colored underpainting.
cypresscreeklayin.jpg
In the final stage, I begin with the thin opaques to establish value and chroma (intensity) relationships, while adjusting the interlocking silhouette patterns. When that’s done, I can begin to load in thick paint to further refine color, define edges and establish the focal area.

6 Comments »

  1. Both of these cypress paintings are captivting! I think I love the way the leave seem to be moving and dancing about.

    Comment by Fawn — May 2, 2008 @ 4:38 am

  2. Thank you, Fawn. I enjoyed seeing your ‘Lily On Water’ painting this morning on the Daily Painters Gallery. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

    Comment by Jimmy Longacre — May 2, 2008 @ 8:15 am

  3. This is superb, I love the composition and thanks for showing your steps.

    Comment by Lori — May 2, 2008 @ 5:03 pm

  4. Well, thanks, Lori. By the way, I love the way you pile the paint on!

    Comment by Jimmy Longacre — May 2, 2008 @ 5:13 pm

  5. I enjoy your work, Jimmy. (I first became hooked with tequila sunrise!)
    I love this piece. There is a light which draws me toward those 2 trees. Both the value range and the variable amount of detail are dynamic. I’m makin’ stuff up now, but it sounds right. Fawn says ‘captivating.’ That’s my experience of it too. Thanks for sharing the stages.

    Comment by Dar — June 8, 2008 @ 7:24 am

  6. Thank you, for adding your comment, Dar. Very encouraging to hear from you. Congratulations on getting underway with your blog. Very nice!

    Comment by Jimmy Longacre — June 9, 2008 @ 11:17 am

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