EVENING CLOUDS, PART 4

 

I finally got this one finished! The painting certainly took longer than expected (as is usually the case). I think I struggled a bit with the balance of the foreground grasses and the water. Also getting the tones in this area right took some time too. I really should have done a pre-study first as that would have helped sort out some of the problems that I had to work through. Anyway, this and a few other paintings will be at McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD soon.

EVENING CLOUDS, PART 3

 

After adding the darker areas and finishing the trees on the edges of the painting, the water looked a little too light so decided to repaint it. I then had to subtly adjust some of the other parts of the painting too. When I felt there was a better balance between lights and darks, I indicated the areas of grasses in the shallower water on the right and made a start on the tawny-colored grass of the foreground. Hopefully during the next session I'll be able to finish the painting.

EVENING CLOUDS, PART 2

 

Things are progressing slowly with this painting but I think it is heading in the right direction. I'm only managing to work on it from time to time and it seems somewhat like a jigsaw puzzle at this time. Hopefully it will be finished soon as I have so many more paintings to get to!

EVENING CLOUDS, PART 1

 

The start of a new painting based on my studies done over the past month or so. Here I have laid in the sky keeping it quite simple but offering a series of differing tones and colors in the sky to keep it interesting.

Here is the simple layout for the painting done in a thin raw umber wash laying in the key elements without too much detail. I want this painting to be an open view of the marsh typically seen on so many of my trips around here on the Eastern Shore.

RECENT SKETCHBOOK STUDIES

 

Bald Eagles are common around here with at least one bird seen every day and in late November last year, up to 8 were together at one time! I never tire of them but seldom get any close views - they are usually in flight or perched way off in the distance. My sketches of them have been hesitant and unfinished but I think I captured something of the powerful character of this bird in the above study.

We visited the Mutton Hunk Fen Park for the first time last year (10 mins from us) and I found this unusual barn next to the parking lot. I did this study trying to capture something of the character of the place which had features I have not seen on any other barn. Later, walking around, I found quite a few owl pellets on the ground under the eaves where owls must have rested. I didn't dissect any of them but they usually contain undigestible matter such as fur, bones and feathers etc.

At Chincoteague, herons (and egrets) are common, and with the continued presence of people walking about, many of them become used to you and can be approached without them flying away. This Great Blue Heron was just by the roadside so I was able to get quite a bit done.

This kind of scene is common around here with the land being so flat, water goes everywhere! There are usually plenty of birds to be seen around too (also deer and wild ponies) so there is always plenty to look at. I think I have got some of the best reference I have ever found down here, hopefully all these studies will lead to some finished paintings.

MORE LANDSCAPE STUDIES

 

A new study looking across the central marsh of the National Wildlife Reserve at Chincoteague. We visit on a weekly basis and have yet to tire of it. There is always so much to see and paint that I have a hard time deciding what to do next! There are also some great hikes and the beach is accessible from the main reserve, and also slightly further to the south at Assateague Island National Seashore. Of course the main draw for many people visiting Chincoteague are the ponies and fortunately, we have seen plenty of them too! Size of this painting is 5" x 7", oil on canvas.

These small studies (done in my sketchbook) are a way for me to work out ideas and compositions. I keep them small so as not to take anything away from the larger paintings that will be done from these smaller ones. They are all of places I have visited or seen while staying down here on the Eastern Shore.

LOCAL LANDSCAPES

 

This view across the beanfield looks west towards the setting sun and has become a favored one of mine. Consequently, I have done quite a few paintings that look out towards the distant treeline and include the various weather conditions I have seen. This study is one of the first I did of the area and shows the field before the beans had been harvested. Size is 8" x 10", oil on canvas.

Guard Shore Beach is about a 15 min drive from where we are staying and has become a favorite destination of mine. While perhaps not as picturesque as others on the Chesapeake, I like the views across the marsh on the one side and the water on the other. The quick study shown here was one I did when we visited on a cold but sunny morning a few weeks ago and I tried to capture the bright light shining across the landscape and water to the distant trees. Size is 5" x 7", oil on canvas.