Edge of the Marsh #2

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This is my second painting from our wonderful day on the farm, done between 5 and 7 pm when the light is best. If you wonder why I didn't paint the actual animals or the buildings it's because I wanted to concentrate on a simple composition with atmospheric perspective. Besides, the animals move ;)

Edge of the Marsh

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I spent yesterday painting at Taylor Bray Farm in Yarmouth. This fabulous little farm is open to the public and has a collection of farm animals including goats, sheep, two of the sweetest little donkeys, chickens, and a couple of Scottish Highlander cows named Scotty and Fiona. I painted two views of this tree and had a great time with my friends. Kelley and I stayed late and had the thrill of seeing a red tailed hawk up close as he hunted for his supper.

Banyan Tree 6x8

I'm not sure that I kept the design as close to the initial block in, as I might have but, I like this finish anyway. Painting Banyan trees is kind of like banging yourself on the head with a tire iron. I've still got two left to finish. One 6x6 and one 3x5. Keeping it simple? Not!

Banyan Tree #2 6x6

Back to the jungle today to paint the banyan tree yet again. I made a value drawing to start with and worked on a 6x6 square. I also premixed my dark using Ult. Blue, Alizarin and Viridean and some greens using Ultramarine with Cad Yellow Med and with Cad Yellow Light and a green mixed with Thalo blue and Cad Yellow Light. I still want to see more variations in the greens here but I'm more pleased with the shapes than last week. This is my second week painting with the Naples Outdoor Painters which has been meeting on Thursdays forever. I really enjoyed it.

Banyan Tree #1 6x8

I'm posting this as the finish, though after studying it while writing my post, I think the left side of the painting needs just a few small strikes of sunlight into that neutral mid tone to enhance the form of the trunk. I'll let it sit a while and it will tell me what it needs. We're going back to the same location this Thursday and I plan to stay with this subject. It's a good lesson in seeing the big picture in terms of design. This is just a small section of the trunk system of this massive Banyan tree. It happens that while I've been working this evening I listened to a inspirational PBS feature on Ansel Adams who was a fantastic artist with a camera.

Banyan Tree Watercolor 8x12

I've been studying my Banyan tree oil trying to 'see' the finish. Mostly everything is in shadow but the lights will define them and lead the eye. In order to not over do the oil painting, I embarked on a watercolor drawing to help me get a sense of all the shapes in the tree and shadows. Watercolor feels so carefree. I wonder why? I know. You all think I'm goofing off at the pool. You're right.

Banyan Tree block in 6x8

hour and a half in

At this point the colors are starting to work second stage and the pre mixes

The pattern

The Bully

I went out this morning with the Naples Outdoor painters to a private home with about 2 acres of lush tropical gardens. As I strolled about trying to choose a location I heard over and over, the complaint, "there's too much green" and, "I'm overwhelmed". And so was I. BUT, I decided on the banyan tree which had some sunlight on it, thus some contrast. I spent 20 minutes doing a value sketch to find shapes and place my darks. Then I did the premix, mapping out the colors so that when I started, I wouldn't run out of anything. This is making a huge difference for me. So much so that I wish I'd done it years ago. I worked for an hour and a half to get to this stage, where I decided to leave it while I plan the finish. It was 88 and humid and with sweat running down my neck, I rewarded my carefully planned and executed block in with a trip to the pool :) I wasn't able to get the photo right tonight but I will make up for it when I post the finish.