Friday, May 27, 2016

051316 S 24x36 Green Grotto

I have done this painting in smaller versions and always wanted to paint it larger.  The painting started as a 12" x 16", plein air piece done on location in the forest but I was dissatisfied with the result.  Months later, I went back into the painting and simplified the shapes and colors and popped in the bright, citrine green that really "made" the painting. 

So for this larger version, I start with a sketch and then jump right into painting with the darks of the shale rock where the creek falls over the soft stone. I mix cerulean blue with cadmium red medium with a touch of cadmium yellow light to get the dark shale color.
Then I start to block in the darker greens of the forest foliage using various combinations of ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow light.
Okay, I'll admit, I got so entranced working on the painting, I forgot to take anymore pictures.  I was also working into the night and have found photos don't turn out too good at night with the artificial lighting.  

But I will tell you that the bright green is mixed using just the right ratio of cerulean blue and cadmium yellow light and titanium white to get that brilliant, eye popping color.  
I wasn't too sure how the painting would work in the larger format but was absolutely thrilled with the result.  The painting really captures in a visceral way the deep and luminous greens of the forest.  

Here is the finished painting, "Green Grotto", 24" x 36", oil on panel, c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh.
 
Thanks for following along!  

Happy Trails!

Charlene Marsh

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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

051616 S 24x36 Gorgeous Flowers

Here's a brand new painting I created for my upcoming shows.

On the right you can see photos of paintings I have painted in the past both "en plein air" and in the studio that I am using for reference and inspiration for this painting.  I made a small pencil sketch in a sketchpad of the basic layout of the painting before I got started.
After drawing the design of the painting on the panel using a brush dipped in cold pressed linseed oil and primary red magenta, I start to block in the darkest darks of the forest and pools.
 
I start to add the middle values of the greens, earth, and flowers.
I continue blocking in the "ground" of the scene.  I add the sky and the sky reflected in the pools.  For the colors close to the horizon line, I mix the sky colors from Titanium White, Cadmium Red Light, and a touch of Cadmium Yellow to indicate a sky changing colors as dusk approaches.  The upper part of the sky is painted using Cerulean Blue and Titatnium White.  Both sky colors are blended for the transition.  Some of the warmer, sunset colors are added to the pools.
I usually like to cover the entire panel with wet paint before I start to go in with the details.  I start popping in the poppies and other flowers in the landscape.
I continue adding flowers and branches and other details working the entire surface, working both the background and the foreground at once.
Leaves and lilies and more details are added.  Sharp edges are softened as needed.
More tweaking and fine tuning.  I often stand back 10-20 feet from the painting to see how it is coming together.  Sometimes I just sit in front of the painting, studying to see what it might need, making a dash of paint here and a dash there. 
And here is the competed painting, "Gorgeous Flowers", oil on panel, 24" x 36", c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh.  SOLD

Thanks for following along! 

Happy Trails!

Charlene 

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040216 12x12 Summer Flowers

This painting features coneflowers and Queens Anne's Lace with lovely, delicate colors.  I start by blocking in the dark greens of the trees in the background and start popping in the earth colors and greens in the foreground.
I continue blocking in the earth tones and the greenery. I scratch in the outline of the bird bath using a nifty tool with a pointed rubber tip.
Details of the coneflowers and Queens Anne's Lace are added.
The birdbath didn't make it to the finished painting which you can see here:
"Coneflowers and Queens Anne's Lace", 12" x 12", oil on panel, c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh.

Thanks for following along!  

Happy Trails!

Charlene Marsh

P.S.  Be sure to sign up for my E-Newsletter for all kinds of special goodies.    As a bonus for signing up, you will get instant access to a FREE, one page report, How to Create Health, Wealth, and Harmony Using Fine Art

Friday, May 20, 2016

040116 12x12 Hollyhocks and Poppies

I start the painting with a sketch using a brush dipped in oil and primary red magenta and cerulean blue.
I block in the background greens and earth tones and creek bed, sans water.
Gradually, I begin adding the flowers, flowing water, and other details, working wet into wet.
And here is the finished painting, Hollyhocks and Poppies, 12" x 12", oil on panel, c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh.

Thanks for following along!  

Happy Trails!

Charlene Marsh

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Wednesday, May 18, 2016

033016 12x12 Sunflowers

I start the painting by blocking in the background colors. I paint the negative space around the bird bath which will be added later.
After the background is painted in, I add the flowers and details working wet into wet.
Here's the finished painting, "Sunflowers", oil on panel, 12" x 12", c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh.

Thanks for following along!  

Happy Trails!

Charlene Marsh

P.S.  Visit my website and sign up for my e-newsletter for all kinds of special goodies.  www.CharleneMarsh.com

Monday, May 16, 2016

033116 12x12 Dancing Flowers

I started this 12" x 12" painting by covering the surface with  paint that gradated from a blue violet through a red violet to gold.
Then I added flowers dancing across the surface.
And the finished painting, "Dancing Flowers", 12" x 12", oil on panel, by Charlene Marsh.
 

Friday, May 6, 2016

032816 S 12x12 Poppies and Purple Coneflowers

I need to get some 12" x 12" flower paintings done for my upcoming show schedule.  I juried in to some shows with just flowers so I need to make sure I have enough to fill my booth! 


So this is a fun 12" x 12" with a creek, waterfall, poppies and hollyhocks.

I start with the darks and work to the light values.
I block in the greens and turquoise of the water on the creek.
I paint in the light of the sky last.  Lightening a dark is much easier than trying to make a light dark!  In fact, it is impossible to darken a light!
I start to add the details of the flowers - poppies, lilies, sunflowers, and coneflowers.  I add the white water to the waterfall in the creek.  I continue to work over the entire surface of the painting from teh background to the foreground and back again.
Here is the finished painting:  
"Poppies and Coneflowers", 12" x 12", oil on panel, c. 2016, by Charlene Marsh