25. Wisdom... another Value Study

Wisdom  8x10 oil/panel

This is another painting done in the "wipe away" method, using transparent paint and wiping out the light areas.  

Some folks asked if I would post some "how to" photos and descriptions of this method, so I will do that on my "regular" painting blog, which is more focused on instruction.  

You can find that link.here.

24. Value Study of Young Souix Brave

Dignity   8x10 oil/panel

This is painted from a photo reference that is part of the Smithsonian, and in the public domain.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/publicresourceorg/493903347/

Larry Seiler, the guy who gave me the inspiration to start this 120 paintings project, talked alot about values in the last session of the webinar.  Truth be told, values are the structure that holds a painting together - they are the framework on which you hang color.  If the values are good, the painting can work.  

Well, anyway, so I thought this was a good time to do a value study, but not just any kind of value study.

This painting was done by the "wipe away" method.  I used one transparent color ( a mix of transparent oxide red and ultramarine blue, for you inquiring minds out there) and laid a thin wash down.  Then, by both adding more color for darks, and wiping away the color for the lights, the painting comes to life.  No white paint, or opaque color. This must be done in one sitting, with the paint still wet, pushing paint around, adding and subtracting.   You gotta have a non -absorbent surface (I used one of my homemade panels) and it helps to have  a brush with a nice sharp edge.  I used two flats, size 4 and 6.

Native American Wisdom:

"If you talk to the animals

they will talk with you

and you will know each other.

If you do not talk to them

you will not know them

and what you do not know, 

you will fear.

What one fears, one destroys."

- Chief Dan George

23. B is for Bear

B is for Bear  7x7 oil/panel

Our power went out in the middle of the night and was not back on until just a few minutes ago.  I can paint by natural light, of course, so this wouldn't stop me from working..  We have a gas stove, so I could even heat water to make coffee in the french press we use for camping.  Coffee and a peanut butter sandwich for breakfast and I'm good to go!

However, the studio room I have is a really small spare bedroom.  The corner in which my easel is set up is sort of dark and I always use an easel light so I can see the palette.  I didn't have that today, so thought I should paint something simple, with big simple shapes and colors that wouldn't be too tricky to manage since seeing the colors on my palette was kinda hard.

This is my granddaughter's teddy bear, bought on a trip to Colorado some years back.  The little Fisher Price figure (remember those?) I found when doing some remodeling at our old house.  

22. Little Pals

Little Pals  10x10 oil/wood panel

I've had this reference for quite awhile...  Is thee anything more precious than a new foal?  These two are full of hope and promise.

21. Frosty Morning

Frosty Morning 5x7 oil/wood panel

We had a frosty morning this morning  too... But now the sun is up, frost is melting, and the day is still ahead!!

I do these pretty quick, obviously, and that's part of the point, but after putting this one away and looking at it again I saw a couple of things I thought should happen. And I thought you might be interested in the thought process that goes on.
A. The head is the focal point.  We just sort of naturally are drawn to faces, animal or human..
B. That being said, if it's the focal point, then it needs to have the most contrast, sharper edges, etc.  So I beefed up the light around his face.  Just because something is a certain way in a photo reference, or even in painting from real life,.. doesn't mean we have to paint it that way!!!  Make your statement visually, and do what you have to do to make that happen.
C. I also warmed up the tops of the weeds... light shining through them would be halo'ed around each stem, creating a sort of warm glow in general, since they are thin little blades of grass and stems.... This better portrays the sense that sunlight is hitting them from behind. At least I think so.... What do you think?

20. Jes' Talkin' Cows.....

Jes' Talkin' Cows.....

8x10 oil/wood panel

Two ol' cowboys, talking about... what else... cows! They've been ranching their whole lives.. it's just who they are. I've had the photo reference that is the basis for this painting for quite some time.. my favorite thing? Those suspenders.  Gotta love it.

This is the first painting on the new batch of panels I just made.(thanks, honey, for cutting all of them for me!)  These are such a pleasure to paint on... the roller gives the panel just a little surface... sort of an eggshell, pebbly type surface, which still grabs the brush, but the surface is totally non-absorbent and paint and color stay fresh.

Just a Finish for today....

Got 'Im!!

8x10 oil/panel

I often don\t get to paint on Saturdays, and today is my wonderful hubby's birthday, so I won't get to do a daily.. I did however finish yesterday's work, so thought you might like to see it. About another hour of just finish work.. mostly the background and a bit of the riders...  This one will go to the new gallery here - they are asking for western horse images and I am more than happy to oblige!!