Monday, August 29, 2022

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

 

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

This is the final oil painting of the four part, four season tetraptych.  You can see the other three paintings, Spring in YellowwoodSummer in Yellowwood,  and Autumn in Yellowwood in the blogs.  I will have all four paintings finished and on display at the 4th Street Festival of the Arts, this coming Labor Day weekend, September 3-4, 2022, in Bloomington, Indiana.

Getting Started

 Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

After laying out the initial sketch, I dive into the painting.

State Forest, 48" x 24"
Painting in progress.

Mixing the darkest darks, I paint in the creek, shadow areas, and major tree trunks.

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

I love painting snow scenes because I get to use a million different values and shades of blue, my favorite color!

State Forest, 48" x 24"
Painting in progress.

In the shadow areas of the snow, I add a touch of red and yellow to dull the blues down.

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

A splash of sun hits the snow bank.

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Sun on the creek.

And is reflected in the creek.

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Sunset sky.

Painting in the sunset sky is a blast.  I mix up a blue sky color using Cerulean Blue and Titanium White.  And paint in the sky from the top of the panel.  Then I mix the sunset colors using mixes of Cadmium Yellow Light and Cadmium Red Light and Titanium White.  Which I apply to the horizon line next to the silhoutetted trees.  Then I mix the two pools of complementary colors, blue and pale orange, to get the middle neutrals that unite the top of the sky and the horizon line.

Final Painting

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″, oil painting on cradled panel, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #082122 S 48×24.

Details

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Signature Detail, Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″, oil painting on cradled panel, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #082122 S 48×24.

 

 Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Detail.

 

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Sunlit snow detail, Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″, oil painting on cradled panel, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #082122 S 48×24.

 

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Detail.

 

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Sky detail.

 

Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Cradled panel edge detail, Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″, oil painting on cradled panel, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #082122 S 48×24.

 

Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48" x 24"
Detail, Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″, oil painting on cradled panel, ©Charlene Marsh, Code #082122 S 48×24.

 

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts

Labor Day weekend!  Booth #116.  10-6 Saturday and 10-5 Sunday.

4th Street Festival of the Arts and CraftsSeptember 3-4, 2022:  Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, Bloomington, Indiana.

 

Then the next weekend, I return to Chicago.

Lakeview East Festival of the ArtsSeptember 10-11, 2022:  Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, Chicago, Illinois.

 

That’s it for now!  Super busy getting ready for the shows!  I hope you can stop by my booth either in Bloomington or Chicago.

I love you!

Happy trails,

Charlene

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Summer In Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

 

Summer In Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.

Summer In Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

If you like cabin art, you are going to love this painting that captures the quintessence feel of summer in the forest!  This is the second painting in a four part series depicting the forest in all four seasons in a 48″ high x 24″ wide format.  You can check out “Spring In Yellowwood State Forest,” 48″ x 24″ HERE.

The plan is for all four paintings to be grouped together in a stunning  4′ x 8′ installation.   Or, each panel is hung separately in a tall, narrow spot in your country cabin or metropolitan home.

So, this is lazy, hazy, simmering hot, summer in the forest.

First, the initial sketch is created using a slew of images of both plein air oil paintings and a photo of the forest in the summertime.  Ultramarine Blue and Magenta paints are thinned with oil.  At the same time, a brush is used to lay out the initial sketch.  I can easily wipe out the drawing with a paper towel and start again if I do not like the composition or need to change the placement of elements.

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24. Cabin Art
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

Once I am happy with the composition, I start to block in the darkest values.

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

The shale rock color is mixed using Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red Medium and Light with a touch of Cadmium Yellow Light.  Plus white.

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

Next, I start painting the rocks and vegetation.  More of the mixed shale blue is added throughout.

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24. cabin art
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

Then, I am ready to paint in the pool of water as well as the waterfall.  I use some of the rock colors that are shining through the transparency under the water.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

More vegetation is added as well as the sides of the creek bank drifting into the background.  The rapids of the creek flowing in the foreground are painted in.

All Those Greens

Lastly, all the lush greens of the tree overstory are painted.  Using a wide variety of green mixes from Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Titanium White and touches of reds, I create hundreds of hues and values of green to weave a tapestry of paint.

After blocking in the entire painting, I go back and add layers upon layers of details.  All these layers of paint add depth and energy to the painting and bring it to life.  During this phase, I dance back and forth, close and far, evaluating the painting and what it needs.  I had to rearrange my work space to have the room to work with freedom on these larger paintings.

Eventually, I reach a point where to add any more paint would risk going too far and ruining it.  Sometimes, when I am having fun — and I’m always having fun at this point —  I don’t want to stop and must force myself.

Final Painting, Cabin Art:

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24. Cabin Art
Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

Detail Shots:

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Edge of the cradled panel and painting, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Signature detail, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Lush green foliage detail, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Green foliage detail, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Waterfall detail, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Flowing creek detail, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

 

Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48x24.
Detail of the pool, Summer in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #080422 S 48×24.

Summer temps always feel cooler in the forest, especially down by the creek.  In actuality, it is cooler in the gulley, by the creek!

Thanks for tuning in!

Next up is the fall painting, 48″ x 24″.

I am a little behind with my blogging and painting due to house guests last week.  Always fun to “play tourist” here in Brown County for a few days but it sets me back in my work.  I’ll share with you our visit to the T. C. Steele State Historic Site in a later blog.  Worth a visit if you love art, history, and/or gardening!  And if you are coming to Brown County, be sure to set a date to visit my studio and gallery.  Let me know when you want to stop by to make sure I am available.

Happy trails!  I love you!

Charlene

Cabin Art

Friday, August 5, 2022

Spring In Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

 

Spring In Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48" x 24", ©Charlene Marsh, code #073122 S 48x24.

Spring In Yellowwood Forest

Currently, I am working on four paintings with each section depicting a different season in Yellowwood State Forest in Brown County, Indiana to be displayed as a polyptych.  Each painting measures 48″ high x 24″ wide so the overall size of the tetraptych will be 4′ high and 8′ wide plus whatever space is in between each painting.  Each painting is on a cradled panel.

I am planning to have all four ready in time for my fall shows.  So I am a busy beaver!

This is the first, Spring In Yellowwood Forest

Sketch

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Initial sketch, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Getting started blocking in the darkest values.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Adding the shale.

Mixed using Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red Medium and Light.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Adding the water.

Mixing a turquoise using Cerulean Blue, a touch of Cadmium Yellow Light, and Titanium White, I start painting in the water of the creek.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Adding the waterfalls.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Hills.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Adding the background space and upper tree leaves

.Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Last but not least.

Using Titanium White and Cerulean Blue, I mix the sky colors and pop it in around the tree leaves.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

Final frenzy.

Once the entire surface is covered, I go back in and make adjustments.

Then, I add the movement and energy that brings the painting to life.  Since I did this part mostly at night, I didn’t take any progress shots.  For the progress shots, I take the panel outside to shoot a photo and then go back into the studio to continue working.  I like working at night when there are no distractions and I can really focus my attention on the soul of the painting.

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #073122 S 48×24.

Details

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Cradle panel edge detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #073122 S 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Signature detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #073122 S 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Another signature detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, oil painting, 48″ x 24″, ©Charlene Marsh, code #073122 S 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Waterfall detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Redbuds detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Waterfall detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Spring in Yellowwood Forest detail, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

 

Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48x24
Detail, Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.

That’s it for today!  Coming up next is “Summer in Yellowwood Forest”, done is luscious, cool greens, so stay tuned.

Thanks for following along!  I love you!

Happy trails,

Charlene

Yellowwood State Forest