Week 6 - Inspiration

The original plan was to try and capture an image I passed on my way home from work each day but since the time change, I leave for my day in the dark and get home in the dark. I am having to either make scenes up or use reference material.

Do I have to paint an actual scene? I don’t think so. I am trying to work on the way I paint so that is more important than replicating an actual view. That is my justification for having absolutely no ideas some days. But I do need some kind of a plan or I accomplish nothing.

Instead of painting “when the moment strikes”, I am forcing myself to paint anyway. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t, but I can’t say that the result is any better or worse whether I felt like painting or not. 

First Snow

Dec 18, 2011

The snow lasted about an hour after sunrise before it all melted away.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/dd41bb10-2436-465a-ad56-02438a53cf15

Shed Out Back

Dec 17, 2011

This looks absolutely nothing like I intended.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/1d7e4bef-57b7-4a8e-8d7c-74c4c7159819

Farmers Field

Dec 16, 2011

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/7897f9c6-a7fb-4c30-b657-6d7e52084fac

Lots of Green

Dec 14, 2011

This is one of those aimless pieces - I have no idea what I thought I was going to paint.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/2162d533-f793-43ba-a956-2952c9367f94

Barn in a Field

Dec 12, 2011

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/1d9ab2fd-d5d4-4ea8-861e-e9dd32796639

Week 5 - Thick and Thin

My mixed media series of a few years ago were painted on plywood. There were many layers of images but the layers of paint were fairly thin.  I also used a lot washes, dripping and water.

I am finding with the masonite board, the more opaque paints are better. I don’t mind the board showing through but some of the paint that I have with high transparency are driving me crazy. They are just way too weak and I am having to mix more paint to get the density I want. I need to pay more attention to this the next time I replenish my supplies.

I know I should switch to oil to get the look I am after, but I refuse at this juncture to get a whole new set of supplies. I have too many already. I aim to master the acrylics in such a way that I no longer feel the need to switch.

Dec 11, 2011

Cowpath

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/6d8d11dd-1e62-426f-8d25-fc5f09ef32f9

Dec 9, 2011

The End of the Beach Trail

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/8172b25f-9a15-4301-8685-5fb5b6a6947b

Dec 8, 2011

Field

(a brilliant title)

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/ffe5abca-cd3f-41be-9cdf-b3193b585c1a

Dec 6, 2011

Dusk

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/a3f5cac5-038e-4d61-a317-f2839318df5e

Dec 5, 2011

2 Weird Trees

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/d44dadff-7b58-4836-b0ca-fa68218b0d2f

I pass a few of these trees everyday, I never noticed them when they had leaves but they are really neat looking with none. I have not shaped them properly as they are here and need to try again sometime.

Week 4 - Studio or en Plein-air

The debate over studio work versus en plein-air will never be solved. Some swear that only paintings done in-situ have the energy the work needs.

I am 50-50 on the studio/plein-air debate.  I do love to sketch outside and take in the images around me.  I paint with acrylics and even though there are extenders and wet pallets, I find the paint just dries way to quickly outdoors for my liking.

I don’t even think about it in the winter. I will gladly go a for hike and take lots of pictures but the thought of sitting outside in 0 degrees is just more than I want to do.

On the other hand after being inside in my studio all winter, I can’t wait to get back outside and paint nature on the spot. For now, I will remain a fair weather plein-air painter and stay in my studio until spring.

Dec 4, 2011

Ploughed Field
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/772863a6-7730-4878-b907-dc52164a6dd5

Dec 3, 2011

Field of Green - wishful thinking now that everything is yucky colours

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/532260f9-1ba7-4cf5-96d2-2c17a74937d7

Dec 2, 2011

Entwined

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/9574b3c5-c471-4a9a-82bc-be29ad9e503e

Dec 1, 2011

Tree Farm

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/013c152c-b697-48b4-81c2-d2725a6eb851

Nov 29, 2011

Rattlesnake Point

A very rainy, rainy November day

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/2bd8f4be-bd07-4b14-b01e-5c8cdfeec645

Nov 27, 2011

East Over Lake Ontario

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/9f29ecb3-f977-4777-af9e-5170dd8348b9

Week 3 - Memory – not so good

I really discovered this week how poor my visual memory is. I decided I would try to find a scene that appealed to me as I drove home from work each day. I have been traveling the same route for about 10 years so you would think I would have paid more attention. I figure I have about 3 seconds to glance at a scene as I drive by to try and retain it.

When I do get into my studio and start to paint, I realize I have no more than a vague outline of the image in my mind. I really have to go back to basics - shape, pattern, negative space before I can possibly work on detail retention. I may have to look at the same scene a few days in a row to remember enough to put it on paper.

The work is just an interpretation anyway, right? (I will convince myself.)

Nov. 26, 2011

Fall Sumac

The sumacs are mostly all bare but there was one I saw that still had a few leaves left.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/43e42d49-6eec-45f1-91c6-747aef1bc903

Nov 25, 2011

Fall Grass

There are lots of grasses along the Beach trail with great fall and winter colour, ochres, burnt siennas.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/f823e21a-ae84-4bb4-b828-e0a9fc86a3ec

Nov 22, 2011

Grey November Day

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/666a43cb-32c0-45a4-8927-cc60e477a91f

Nov 20, 2011

Perfect November Day

Again, the last of the fall colour hanging on.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/outofpopup/8d64ff39-84aa-40f1-b6b2-402ba29269aa