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.

Painting at the River

These are from a few days ago. Rode my bike down to the riverfront one morning to try and beat the heat and get in some painting.

I always like the view looking up river to the bridge from English Park, so I did that one first. Then I rode downtown and was intrigued by the shadows and morning sun illuminating the canvas covering draped over the bridge while crews are repainting it.

 If you are interested in owning an original painting, please contact me. Sold work will be marked.
Email: derrt33@yahoo.com
phone: 812-306-1699

"Morning From English Park"
7"x10" watercolor

"Shrouded Bridge"
7"x10" watercolor

Velo Plein Air

Today I spent 6 hours out on my bicycle doing some plein air watercolors. Every image is from spots I chose along the Adkisson Greenbelt Trail around Owensboro, KY.


If you are interested in owning an original painting, please contact me. Sold work will be marked.
Email: derrt33@yahoo.com
phone: 812-306-1699

All of these were done in less than an hour each.

"Swamp Oak"
5"x7" watercolor on 140lb. paper

"Blackberry Pond"
5"x7" watercolor on 140lb. paper

"Walking the Dog"
5"x7" watercolor on 140lb. paper

"One More Development"
5"x7" watercolor on 140lb. paper

A Sunset

I wasn't quite ready to go to bed last night, so I whipped out this quick little sunset painting.

The reference came from a photo i had shot while down at Barkley Lake.

If you are interested in owning an original painting, please contact me. Sold work will be marked.
Email: derrt33@yahoo.com
phone: 812-306-1699

"Prizer Point Sunset"
5"x7" oil on canvas panel