Wipe Out

Discovery Park oil on canvas 11 x 12

I love to work in warm hues. It is an addiction, a habit, or maybe an obsession...I don't quite know where it comes from... almost every painting I do begins with an under-painting of some sort of warm reddish color. The red often peaks through the added top layers of color, creating areas that seem to glow while creating a unity in my work with out even thinking too much about it!

The process of under-painting for me is one of my most favorite moments with a brush and rag in hand. I use a wipe out method - literally slathering the surface of the canvas or board with color and wiping back the white areas of the canvas where I want to reveal the lighter values in a painting. I can accomplish several important things in the early stages of a painting this way:

1. Tone my canvas

2. Establish my Compostion

3. Play with Value (light and dark)

4. Find a balance between hard vs soft edges

5. Get familiar with my subject matter before introducing color.

I am a firm believer that besides being able to accurately draw your subject matter, composition and value are the back bone to a successful painting. Color is just the icing on the cake. Under-painting is a great way to work out these elements. And for those that are afraid of color (like me!), it is an amazing way to empower yourself to paint with out fear!!! 

Way back when I was in school I discovered a paint mixture that I still use today to do all my under-paintings. I call it Saparindian! It is a mixture of Daniel Smith brand Sap Green, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, and Indian Yellow. It is the most beautiful transparent rusty red I have ever found. Sure you can buy transparent red oxide or something close at the art store, BUT what is the fun in that!? Mixing my own allows me the freedom to play with the formula... I can make it browner or redder, or even yellower, depending on my subject matter! I mix up a whole bunch and tube it myself for later use... Which makes me think... if want to have one to try, I can make one for you, just email me. Even though I just gave away my secret formula... sigh... I just really like to share...

I often will do a painting like the one above, and fall in love with the soft glowing quality so much that I will not paint on top of it as originally intended. This one is complete. No color needed. It says what I needed it to say, all with one color (or three depending on how you look at it!)

Happy Painting!

Discovery Park

Today I spent the day preparing another bundle of Pocket Landscapes! It was 80 degrees today, so I gathered up my little microscopic canvas's and headed outside to get creative... only made it as far as my front porch, but it was great painting out in the fresh air again!

You can see the most current editions that I created today here. I did NINETEEN! It's a record! I will most likely do 10 more and then I'll call it good. I have a really fun time naming these little guys. Most titles reflect my experiences while on many road-trips to Eastern Washington. I endured long hours and many miles in a hot stuffy, or freezing cold, 76 Ford Bronco (until it was stolen!)... during a long distance relationship with my husband when he was in vet school... Anything for love!

 This one is titled "Proud" and is only 2"x3" big.

Titled: Alone Again 2"x2"

SOLD

Titled: Anticipation 4"x4"

SOLD

Titled: The Huddle 2"x2"

SOLD

Titled: First Impression 2"x2"

SOLD

I made it outside today to Discovery Park...Needed some local inspiration for my next paintings! It was a wonderful day! Had a picnic with myself, painted lots of mini's, took a snooze in the sun, and all while I was "on the clock"! I love my new office - what a view! You can peak at all the new pocket sized landscapes I did today, here.