Super Hero Abstraction

"Super Hero Abstraction", 6 x 8, Oil on Paper

Another little study in my super hero series.  I am eager to take some of these studies and make some bigger paintings out of them.  I love the pose here.  The issue will be to make the composition interesting but still simple and somewhat abstract on a larger piece.   I'll let you know how it turns out!

Misty Newport

"Misty Newport", oil on panel, 6 x 8


I realized there are quite a few studies from last several months that I neglected to post on my blog.  So, you will see them now!  This is a little plein air done in Newport last summer.   I like that combination of deep summer green shrouded in mist.  That is the tony private school St. Georges in the distance mist.  Click on the button above to go to the Daily Paintworks site for purchase/auction.

Summer is Here

"Newport Summer" study, 6 x 8, oil on panel

It finally feels like summer!  The boats are out and the sun is shining.  This painting is much lighter and cooler than the above jpeg.  I can't seem to get a decent photo because it is so bright outside.  I will try to get a better picture later if I can.  I am announcing a new sales policy regarding my small studies and pastels that are featured on my blog and Facebook.  Starting this week my new 6 x 8 and 6 x 6 studies will be available via the Daily Paintworks website.   I will not be selling these small pieces through the galleries any longer so if you are interested in a small painting please either email me or just click on the Daily Paintworks widget on my blog.  Larger paintings will still be available through the galleries.

Maine Fog Color Study

Maine Fog Color Study, 6 x 8, pastel on sanded paper

I made a new batch of pastel paper today and wanted to try it out with some color studies.  I actually didn't plan this one at all but I like it.  It has a kind of "japonisme" feel to it.  If I were to do it larger, however, I would really need to work out the shapes of the foliage beforehand. We'll see.  

Foggy Afternoon

Study for Foggy Afternoon, oil on panel, 6 x 8

This little study started as an exercise in atmospheric tonalism.  There are two key ways to create atmosphere:  close values and low chroma color.  I picked one color (green) to use as my jumping off point for all the values and masses in the painting.  All the colors are mixed off of the one green puddle of color.  I was careful to keep the values separate but close.  I like the brushwork in this study.  I also like the underpainting showing through in the foreground as it adds a little sparkle and interest.  After spending the last several months painting in an indirect manner (lots of glazing and waiting) it was liberating to start and finish a study in one sitting.  I used a larger pastel painting of this scene from a few years ago as my guide to composing the sketch.  I may take it a bit further and create a new composition for a larger oil.  

En Plein Pleut

"Rainy Day in Annapolis", oil on panel, 6 x 8

I am happy to report that the sun has finally been spotted in Annapolis Harbor after 7 days of rain.  Seriously.  It's been raining for a week.  This is a rainy plein air sketch done from the boat this morning.   At least it is dry under the bimini!

Saratoga Moonrise

"Saratoga Moonrise", oil on panel, 6 x 8

This is another oil sketch done by memory.  I stood on my porch a few weeks ago in Saratoga and quickly sketched the moon rising behind a neighbor's house.   My main memory was of the red violet color in the lower part of the sky so I developed the rest of the color harmony from that one observation.  I am trying to do at least one of these sketches every day to strengthen my memory skills.  It is amazing how much you can recall of a subject or scene if you spend enough time studying it beforehand!

Sunset Cape May

"Sunset Cape May", oil on panel, 6 x 8

I did the underpainting for this sketch while we were bringing the boat down from Newport a couple of weeks ago.  The light was beautiful but it didn't last long!  I had just enough time to get the basic shapes down before it was all over.  After the underpainting was dry I added transparent glazes to the sky to get that sunset "glow".

Twilight in the Adirondacks

"Adirondack Twilight", oil on panel, 6 x 8

I hope everyone's Fall is off to a good start!  Summer certainly flew by fast but I love this time of year.  It is the perfect season for outdoor painting in my opinion.   The weather is still warm but comfortable during the day and the air is crisp - perfect!  As I've discussed in previous posts, I am trying to spend more time sketching and painting reference studies in my outdoor sessions rather than producing finished paintings.  The above color study was painted from a black and white pencil sketch done in the  Adirondacks a few weeks ago.  It captures what artists call the "magic hour" from sunset to twilight.  I have also been rising early to get some sketching done during the early dawn hours.  Luckily the sun rises later this time of year!