New Painting in the Works

I have started with a 16 x 20 canvas. Painted in a muted green background. Then started some background trees. Not  quite happy with placement  but of course flat with no real background or foreground: no dimension to the early stages.  

Outlining more how the trees will be painted  and placement of the Blue jay. I love the sound of the Blue jay , in particular in the fall although always a nice sound when out running in the early morning.  My Mom also had a preference for the Blue jay and that has always made the Blue jay even more dear to me. 

Initially i was going to do a Maple tree based on photo reference from my backyard pics but opted to switch to Birch Trees. I am trying to learn how to paint them  highly textured with details and getting the right lighting. 

I had done a small painting of birch trees that i particularly liked  with respect to coloring and details  so using it to help me with the trees . Of course i just have to look in my backyard and do some field sketches. 

 Regarding the Blue jay:A tip from another  artist was to create a clay sculpture of a bird and then shine a light source to assess shadows. I may try this . Not much of a sculpture artist,  but don't need details, just overall shape. 

The bird image I like because it captures  a characteristic of the Blue jay: Perched on a branch staring down, observing.

This painting was done a year or so ago and recently sold.  The new painting  may be using the same photo reference but will have a new look with the Birch tree background and of course  each painting always unique. 

Take the time to enjoy these summer days, observe, listen  and capture the essence of  of a summer day on canvas. 

Plein Air Painting

Plein Air Painting

Maybe this is the summer to explore Plein Air Painting. I will be working with the APHTK this summer, in Temiscaming , on Thursdays : Art in the Park. This is  part of an art in community program and although specific to this group open for people to join in or come watch. It is not an art class but an opportunity for the group to explore different mediums, explore working in open spaces  (this will be fun)  and feel empowered through their own creativity. We will have fun! Samples of work that they have done already.

         









Aside from our Thursday outings I would like to start some Plein Air Painting for myself to work on lighting and spontaneity and my drawing/painting skills.  So what are the challenges??? Well we know living here, the biggest challenge to outdoor activities is the BUGS!

Black flies, mosquitoes, no-can- see'ems, horseflies, deer flies and these miniature flies(don't know what they are called but they bite..usually later in the season) and any other????? Think that is enough anyway.  So if you can handle those, the  next challenge would be the WEATHER.I am not set up to paint in the rain so I won't, although...there is something so magical about a misty rain...but also magical right after a rainfall. Maybe i need something like this.

















 Next challenge , SUPPLIES....need equipment that is portable.

I'll work on that.  Final challenge.Having PEOPLE WITNESS YOUR BLUNDERS on canvas...not everyone knows how art goes through the stages of the good , the bad and the ugly...hopefully to return to the Fabulous!

 I have had a few opportunities to have people watch as I paint...it can be difficult but I am trying to get used to it and not let it stop me from doing what I would like to do.


So maybe you will see me out there while on your walk: maybe in the Park, on the Bike Path, by the Falls or in my own front yard painting up a storm. Drop by , say Hello and be kind if the painting is in that dreaded "Ugly" stage...trust that it will resurface as a masterpiece...maybe :)

Have a Super Day

When to put the Paint Brush down

At this point this is the final piece. A palette knife /brush  16 x 20 acrylic painting of a sleepy owl  peeking out of a hollowed out tree. 

Let's look at other versions.

This is early stage of " laying down colour and not sure where I am going".

Trying to define but now happy with eyes and overall look.

Adjusted the eyes and made the beak smaller.  I kinda like this one . Colouring is  too blue, but that is the lighting when  the painting was photographed. 

Chose  to warm it up abit and add some eyelids.  Two different looks but both cute.   Sometimes you have to decide to put the brush down  and maybe try a new one. 

On the other hand sometimes you have to risk altering a painting to create what really works for you. 

Tried to do all with palette knife but added in  a liner brush for some detailing. 

Fun project. Oh yeah also added some glow in the dark paint. See if it works later. :)

Have a super week!

Colour Schemes

Colour Choices

As you start to develop your work you may find you are drawn to a certain style, certain medium and or certain colours.  These are all in Acrylic and the similarity is in the colour scheme. Do you find certain colours dominate in your work? 

Why do these colours work together ? Complementary colours . Whether I am working with orange or orange-red /or red-orange I will use blue, blue -green or green -blue changing the emphasis. 

Trying to look at my work and see other similarities in use of colour.

When we are not sure we have a particular style , it may be in the colour choices , that colours that resonate in your work.


Have a Super Day!

Landscape with a Little more Light

 

Acrylic on Canvas 

16 x 20

I have been working with a Palette knife for a few years now.  Starting to get a little more comfortable with application but my  paintings, although full of colour,  light and shadow have been absent.  I am a super fan of Julie Dumbarton's work , which  not only explodes with colour but her application of a strong light source is  fabulous. This was my push to try to capture the play between light and shadow. 

My first attempt started off as trees in a fallen forest , one of my favourite subjects: love the natural landscape when walking through a forest. 

What started as a forest soon took on the look of water reflections  and so I modified my painting. This meant changing the reflected angles of the trees . So I basically redid the bottom two thirds but tried to do so without making too bold a change and losing some of the original light. I don't like to fiddle too much as you lose the spontaneous  fresh look achieved  with the palette application.  As I gain more experience with the palette knife, the fear of losing what was more spontaneously created will lessen...I think anyway. 

Have a Super Weekend! Keep  Learning! Keep Practising!

Art Classes

I have started designing some art projects  for children and adults: projects that are designed for those that may have little experience in painting but would love to try.  I have started with a fanciful design of a kitten that would be a class for any age. 

 

This example demonstrates a graded background wash, blocking in colours (kitten) highlighting, shading, detailing and some simple brush strokes to create flowers and leaves.  

This design can be adapted in teaching a young class  or as a birthday event.

For the more experienced painter one can focus more on the detailing. 

I will be creating a few similar designs for sale and as a design for teaching.  I am already thinking of a patchwork kitten....

New design in the works ....Hedgie . I have to do a hedgehog as ordered by my daughter. lol

Have a Super Day!!!!  

Oh yeah...if interested in Bangles check out my designs on my Facebook Page.  Jo's Art Studio. :)

This particular design is sold but I will be painting another Jelly Bean Bangle.