Early Morning Light

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I got up at 5:30 Saturday morning to beat the heat, but I did paint a good part of the day even in the North Carolina humidity. I painted 5 landscapes. The one above is the first one, a warm up, small study.

On another note, my daughter-in-law and grandchildren are coming today for a visit, so I may not have time to post for the next few days.

And on even another note, I have a raccoon coming in my house each night to eat the cat's food, and I live in the city limits, not the country. I have a trap set, but have not caught him yet. Has anyone else had experience with this?

Clouds Reflected in the Cool Water

8x10, oil on canvas panel

This is Dancing Rabbit Creek, which I have painted before, although from a slightly different perspective. Painting water is a favorite of mine.

The Third Step and the Finished Painting

Two posts ago, I was answering questions from MaryLeith, age 12, about how I paint. The above photo depicts the third step, painting in the darks. I mix up a transparent mixture of ultramarine, viridian, and transparent red oxide, and paint in all areas that will be dark. I "lean" the color towards the final paint color, as in I lean trees toward green. Some of the areas may be darker than the final color, but that's o.k. It will provide a good foundation for the next color.

After the darks are done, I get busy with the real painting--lights, halftones, shadows, etc. Below is the finished painting.

The Yatch Club, Bay St. Louis

8x10, oil on canvas panel

To Bid: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190317904171

A Glorious Summer Day at the Farm

8x10, oil on canvas panel
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This painting was done in the middle of the day with flat light, except for a small amount of back lighting on the tree. Not an ideal painting situation, but great practice for a painter. It was, indeed, a glorious day.

Questions--How do you begin your paintings?

MaryLeith, age 12 and the daughter of one of my collectors, is quite interested in art. Last week she emailed me asking if I drew before I begin painting and for info about my brushes. So MaryLeith, this post is for you and anyone else who has an inquiring mind!

Above: I usually begin with a toned canvas, usually a warm color, usually orange. I never wear orange, have no orange in my house, and would not want an orange car, but I LOVE orange in painting. It adds sparkle and punch, so I aways try to let a little of the underpainting show through.

Next I begin my drawing, with a brush. Generally the drawing is just for placement and composition. I do not "fill in the lines" when painting over it.

Here's another example of the drawing--quite simple, geometric, and almost abstract. Of course, if it's a complex subject, I make a more detailed drawing.

More later this week on what happens next.

My brushes are hog hair filberts which hold plenty of paint and deposit it on the canvas with a nice spring in the bristles. I usually use a #2 to draw with and then just 2 others to paint with--as big as I think I can get away with so I won't get my painting too "picky". The painting knife is used to paint thin lines, deposit lots of pure color, and to scrap off a passage if I wish to repaint it. The metal can holds mineral spirits for painting outside.

And MaryLeith, you are so right. An artist gets better if she practices, that is paints a lot. I draw and paint everyday.

Dixie's View, Sanibel

8x8, oil on canvas panel

Old Homeplace

8x10, oil on canvas panel

The Landscaper's Red Cottage

6x8, oil on canvas panel

I was told a landscaper lives here; and, indeed, the front was beautifully done. However, I liked the lines of the house and chose to paint it from the side.

Tree Study

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Long Shadows

8x8, oil on canvas panel

Shabby Chic Designs, Bay St. Louis, MS

8x8, oil on canvas panel

Red House, Blue House (sold)

8x8, oil on canvas pane;

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Red House

8x8. oil on canvas panel

This is one of those paintings that refuses to show its true color, and nothing I did in photo shop worked well. The trees are greener, the red on the house is less insistent, and the road has a lovely dappled light. Oh, well!

Sunday Afternoon

5x7, oil on canvas panel

I am leaving this morning for Georgia, returning next Tuesday. My paints are going with me so I will be posting new paintings IF my laptop works on wireless at the library. Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not, so we shall see.

Two Boats

8x10, oil on canvas panel