EVENING OVER A NORTHERN LAKE - STUDY

 

During a trip to the Adirondacks in upstate New York some time ago, I took a dip in this lake while the sun set over the distant treeline. I was captivated by both the quality of the clear evening light and the mood of the scene as evening drew in. Mentally composing a painting in my mind, I did a study a little later on then when I arrived home again, I painted a larger watercolor of the same scene which worked out well. This little study has held a special place in my heart bringing back many fond memories of that trip and the paintings I did there. I'll probably use this one again as the basis for a larger oil but perhaps modifying the sky slightly more. Size is 4.5 x 6.5 in (12 x 17 cm), watercolor on paper.

THE BREAKING SEA

 

I'm reposting this Hong Kong coastal painting from a few years ago. Recently I came across it in a box with a few others and after taking a hard look at it, decided that the painting needed a little more work. I felt that the sea needed most attention so this is where I started first. Mostly I wanted a little more movement to the surf so I spent most of the time there. When I was pleased with the balance between the waves and the foam, I lightly defined some of the rocks here and there until I was finally happy with them as well. Often it is the case with many of my paintings, my eye is better able to discern if anything else should be done to the work after it has been put away for a while. Now it is ready for varnishing and framing. Size is 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25cm), oil on canvas board. 

QUIMBY BRIDGE SERIES 1

 

While staying in southern Virginia near the Eastern Shore many years ago, I would often visit Quimby Bridge especially in the evening to watch the sun set over the water. This view was one of many that I chose to paint working mostly in watercolor for initial sketches. Larger works were then composed, done in both watercolor and oil - my largest 30 x 40 inches. I can't say for sure that all these were as successful as I would have liked but were an important past of my artistic development. These works set the basis for a number of similar painting using color and mood. The idea of which I am still working on today. This watercolor is 11 x 14 in (28 x 36 cm).