After laying out the initial sketch, I dive into the painting.
Painting in progress.
Mixing the darkest darks, I paint in the creek, shadow areas, and major tree trunks.
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!
Painting in progress.
In the shadow areas of the snow, I add a touch of red and yellow to dull the blues down.
Winter in Yellowwood State Forest, 48″ x 24″
A splash of sun hits the snow bank.
Sun on the creek.
And is reflected in the creek.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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, 48×24.
Adding the shale.
Mixed using Cerulean Blue, Cadmium Red Medium and Light.
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, 48×24.
Adding the waterfalls.
Spring in Yellowwood Forest, Part 1 of 4, 48×24.
Hills.
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, 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, 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.
September 3-4, 2022: Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, Bloomington, Indiana.
September 10-11, 2022: Lakeview East Festival of the Arts, Chicago, Illinois.
