Think Green

"Spring Greens", 12 x 12, oil on panel

I don't usually post works in progress but I felt we needed a little break from the rain and snow!  This painting is based on several sketches and some photo references of one of my favorite spots in Ridgefield, CT.  It has some great trees.  This was a misty morning in late spring/early summer.  This is an example of the indirect painting process I am using in some of my landscapes now.  It has several layers of glazes, scumbles and opaque and translucent passages.  At this point it is a matter of adjusting the values of the rocks and emphasizing the misty quality of the atmosphere which I will do with more glazes and probably some opaque areas to tone down the bright green areas down a bit.  As I've said before, it is a time consuming process!

Annapolis Rain

"Annapolis Rain", 9 x 12, oil on linen panel

I've been working on several rainy day scenes and cityscapes over the past few weeks.   I haven't been able to post anything because they have all been in different stages of development.  This process just takes a lot longer than direct alla prima painting.  I am trying to create a mood with these paintings rather than just presenting a scene.  I like all the different textures of a rainy day in the city:  reflections, wet pavement, misty atmosphere and the patina of old buildings.  It's a struggle to suggest all these different textures but that is part of the process.  So I guess these paintings are as much about the process as the actual subject matter.  Hopefully there will be a couple more paintings ready to show by the end of the week.

Beach Dune Study

Beach Dune Study, 6 x 8, oil on panel

This is a quick study for a larger painting that I am planning when I get back to my studio in Saratoga.  It is based on sketches and photos of the dunes in Cape Cod.  They are really very soft and gray in color when you look at them closely.  I will do a larger pastel version and then decide how much bigger I want to go with the final painting.  A larger version will require some refinement to the composition particularly in the foreground area so I have some work to do before I attack this project!  I'll keep you posted.

View From the Cockpit

"View From the Cockpit (BVI)", 6 x 8, oil on carton board

This is the view from the cockpit of the boat in our marina in Tortola.  The islands in the background are St. John.  Sorry to rub it in to all you snowbound people up North!  This is a quick oil sketch done on carton board which is a substrate that the European Impressionists used for their studies.  It is ultra absorbent and a little scratchy which makes it a little challenging to paint quickly.  I like the warm undertones that show throughout the sketch.

After the Rain

"After the Rain" (Road Town, BVI) 9 x 12, oil on panel

I had a fairly unproductive month due to the fractured foot incident but things are on the mend!  I have been working on some small pieces while laid up on the boat.  This is one of a few paintings currently in progress though this one is pretty close to finished.  There may be a scumble here or a glaze there before it is all done but I am leaving it for now.  I will post the remaining few pieces as they get closer. . .

Rain On Broadway

Rain on Broadway, 9 x 12, oil on panel

Forgive the bad photo here.  I only have my iPhone and it really does not seem to take decent pictures of artwork for some reason.  It feels a little strange to be painting cold, rainy street scenes when I am sitting in 85 degree heat in the Caribbean!  Unfortunately, my plans to paint some tropical townscapes have been postponed due to a sailing accident.  I missed a step and fractured my foot!  So, no plein air for a while.  It has been 10 days so far and I am able to walk short distances but am otherwise boat bound at the dock.  So, for now I am working from sketches and references I have of both New York and Saratoga.  Some of the Saratoga paintings will be included in my two person show in Albany later in the Spring.  More details to follow. . .

Illumination

"Illumination", 16 x 20, oil on linen

This is another Saratoga rainy day scene.  I am happy with it overall but need to let it sit for a while before declaring it "finished".  This will probably be the last cityscape I post for a while since I am in the Caribbean now. It's hard to paint cold rainy days when it is 90 degrees and sunny!