Running in the Surf

Running in the Surf

18" x 24"

Oil on Sandeply Panel

[click on the image to enlarge]

Our family enjoys getting together at New Brighton Beach on the California coast.

Katie Powers took some wonderful photos of the beach activities. Using one of those as a reference photo, I was able to explore the surf and atmosphere of the day. It suggests the foggy offshore haze typical of the area but still a sunny day on the beach.

It is very tempting to put lots of other focal points in a scene like this.  I liked the way this worked with our view point lowered to their level or even a bit below it.

Jared

Jared

16" x 20"

Oil on Board

[click on the image to enlarge]

Jared is a special spirit living next door to us.

The family members are all blessings to us and our extended family. Jared is the youngest of seven siblings, he has three older sisters followed by three older brothers.

The painting tries to bring some of the lasting joy from an eternal perspective.

I should explain that Jared likes red cars. The value on the car color is muted so that his face is still very dominant as the focus.

different lighting

framed

Valley Ranch

Valley Ranch

24" x 36"

Oil on Wood Panel

Since this painting was reworked after the prior posting, I wanted to post it again.

Grant and I also framed it and it will be hanging in the office.

After looking at it a few days I decided to recast the sky atmosphere and then refined the mountains and the foliage areas.

The edge of the red barn has some yellow elements and also some green which causes the color to vibrate a bit. There is also some of the red scattered in the mountain shadows and the foliage which adds to unity within the painting. Even the small grass/weed tufts have one or two red spears in most of them.

Autumn at Twilight

Autumn at Twilight

18" x 24"

Oil on wood panel

[click on the image to enlarge]

Alternate camera sitting

demonstrating how much the appearance varies with light changes

The first photograph more accurately reflects this painting.

Autumn provides wonderful colors for oil painting. This scene with the sun within the frame is an interesting setting. I like the yellow sunset sky and the distance violet hills. 

Stapleton Kearns painted an autumn scene that I admire. I rearranged the elements in that painting and laid it out. That was perhaps not a wise choice because his paintings have very strong design as a characteristic trait. 

Because the scene is back lit, it is very sensitive to changes in room lighting.

This was a fun painting to work on although it took many sessions to create a balance that I was happy with.

Valley Ranch

Valley Ranch

24" x 36"

Oil on wood Panel

[click on the image to enlarge]

I enjoy painting snow scenes, the subtlety of snow, which is not white but opalescent and beautiful, is fascinating. Tilting your monitor or moving slightly will allow you to see a bit more of that

I started with the dark Angus cattle and the red barns and then modified the design from that. The small metal shed also provides an opportunity for interest and eye movement. In deference to Lori 's sensitivities, I allowed the range cattle a place of refuge.

The barn has legendary cattleman John Hartley Carlile's 'historic' brand. It's surprising how much interest that small mark adds to the end of the barn.

The atmospheric changes result in the more distant mountain snow being a duller and a bit more grey violet hue than the foreground. Massing the dark is also a design feature.

This is a larger painting, especially when framed, the size that might fit behind a sofa, etc.

Self Portrait with Red Tie

Self Portrait with Red Tie

Oil on wood Panel

24" x 20"

I've been painting although busy with other activities as well. So I have not posted for a time.

After doing several other family members I decided to try one of myself. Painting others is different for several reasons. When looking in a mirror I see a 'mirror image' so it is reversed from what others see, but photos are reversed from what I usually see.

It was an adventure. I changed my plans about the level of finish and detail as the painting developed, so that was interesting. 

I like it and Oscar indicates that it is great, while Lori wants a big toothy grin or at least a smile. Curiously portrait paintings from a century or two ago very seldom had a smile. Only with the advent of photographs did every start to say 'Smile' for a portrait.

I felt that the balance was good

Going to the Prom

Going to the Prom

18" x 24"

Oil on wood Panel

This painting just captures a small moment.

I thought the solid black would be an interesting challenge - making enough detail to be convincing while still black with black shoes and a black tie. The lapels have less blue than the photograph indicates.

Overall I am pleased.

The black is ivory black which has a dark blue undertone which helps with color harmony here.

I took some license with the setup and with Rebecca's hair color.

It was fun to work on. Her arms form interesting light bridge between the two.