Plein Air at the Orchard

Went out to Reid's Orchard today and scoped out this scene to paint today.

Here are some progression shots and then the final image.

The scene I painted

Underpainting in burnt sienna and ultramarine

Getting some color blocked in.

Where is this thing going? I was starting to worry about this point...what had I gotten myself into?

I stopped at this point, about two hours, and will finish it in the studio.

And this is what I came up with.

"Down by the Pond"
11"x14"
Plein Air Oil on hand prepared smooth panel

Sky Study

Just felt like trying to come up with an interesting sky. I had a reference photo, but mostly just made up everything.
Trying to get the luminosity in the clouds...maybe better if  I built it up in glazes vs. a straight forward alla prima.

"Sky Study"
5"x7" oil on canvas panel

Painting at Reid's Orchard

Well, nothing says autumn much better than pumpkins and today there was ample opportunity to paint them out at Reid's Orchard.

I set up right at the store that was surrounded by all kinds of great, colorful subjects. But, it was also busy with people, particularly school children on field trips. So, I was adding some ambiance to their experience.

Completed this about 90% on site and fiddled a little with it at the studio.

"Punkins"
9"x12" oil on canvas panel

Owensboro Art Guild Member Show

The Owensboro Art Guild, of which I'm a member, had it's member show at the Ralph Center on the campus of Kentucky Wesleyan College this past Thursday evening.

The theme of the show was portraits, figures, or the figure in the landscape. There were many wonderful entries from paintings in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, and gouche. Drawings in pencil and charcoal. Pottery, metal, and other sculptural pieces. It's really a great show of work from our members.

We all voted for our top three pieces (no votes for our own work) and the votes were tallied and amazingly my piece, a watercolor, "Into the Sink" was awarded 1st place. It was kind of a shock to me, from seeing all the wonderful work there. So, I am humbly thankful to my fellow members for their votes.

Below is the painting that won.

"Into the Sink"
14"x11" watercolor

This is a scene of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River as it plunges under the base of this canyon wall and disappears. The spot is called "The Sinks" and is located in Sinks Canyon State Park, outside of Lander, WY.