Sunset on the Treetops

Just after painting the river plein air, with the sun low on the horizon, this scene appeared. One of those scenes that pass by too quickly for me to capture, leaving me to rely on my camera and memory. 

I started with a pale burnt sienna wash followed by ultramarine and sienna mixes for this rough in.

6" x 12" oil on canvas

Skunk River Access

Such a nice day that I took the dog out with me plein air painting. I know that sounds like he paints :) What he does do is wade in the water as soon as he is off the leash. I take about a couple of hours to paint so he should be dry by then. Unless he goes back in for one more dip, which he did. Oh well, we both enjoyed the weather.

12" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Late Afternoon Light

The last snow fall and I got out to photograph after it melted off the branches. 

12" x 9" oil on canvas

Project AWARE

This is from last year's project AWARE, i.e. A Watershed Awareness River Expedition.

Sponsored by the DNR, adventurous volunteers, spend 5 days in canoes and kayaks picking up trash along Iowa River ways. Most anyone can do it; all you need is some free time, a strong back, and a weak gag reflex. You will, in return, enjoy the company of like minded individuals and be treated to a show of some of Mother Nature's finest work. Described as RAGBRAI on the river, this is definitely on my bucket list. The volunteers in these painting were cleaning up the Des Moines River, by Bonaparte, Iowa. In 2017, from July 10th through the 14th. Project AWARE will be cleaning the Cedar River to bring it back to its natural beauty.

12" x 9" oil on canvas

10" x 10" oil on canvas

Early Morning Early Fall

Finished painting 

16" x 8" oil on canvas

Started this painting by trying out some acrylic markers I just bought. I think I may need to play with them more. First rough in.

I painted oil over the acrylic. My original intention was to paint acrylic, maybe next time.

Horses Two Quarters

I had fun with these two. I decided to get a little detailed for the sake of those shiny coats. The original photo did not have a distant horizon just grass all around. I have been experimenting with Prussian Blue for the greens. Often adding a hint of brown or red to the hansa yellow and prussian to tone down the "electric green" it creates.

14" x 11" oil on canvas panel

Started with blocking in the horses. I always find it hard to position the legs of partially hidden horses, so I procrastinate. The two horses were from two different photos. I use Photoshop to cut out the horse on the left and place it into the photo of the other one. It works if the photo of the two horses were taken the same time of day.

Once the horses were fully complete I used a palette knife to create the background. Trying to create a feeling of depth I added a bit of gray blue to the front greens.