Waddell Mill - New painting WIP

The underpainting is done in acrylic. I haven't decided if I want to continue in acrylic or use the w/s oils. My vision is to show this building, not as it is, but in a poorer state of repair to add character. But as always, I am keen to do show the beautiful reflections in the water.

Fuller Falls - SOLD

Fuller Falls was sold last weekend at the RNS Art Show and Sale - one of these bitter sweet moments as I realized that it would look nice in my house as well. I wonder how many artists tend to paint art that they would like to own themselves. Likely most.

Yes, that is my smiling mug there - even before I found out the painting had sold.

Now on to the next painting...

Hammond River Plein Air April 25

I spent a lovely few hours this morning at Hammond River painting plein air. I hadn't expected all the company but the fishermen made great additions to the study. I will have to work out a suitable composition. Other than standing in muck, it was a great spot.

Meenans Cove Scene - Self-critique stage changes

So, according to Johannes Vloothuis,  it is better not to include all the grasses in the front, and after removing most of them, I agree in this case.

Still working on the boats, structurally they are not working yet.

Close.

Meenans Cove Scene - Self-critique stage

I am on to the critique stage -

looking for those nasty clones,

unmelodic lines,

overuse of value 8, balance, line, unabstract shapes...

I purchased Margaret Kessler's book "Painting Better Landscapes" and she provides great tips on what to look for. definately one of my favorite books.

I have left the details on the boats for last - not as happy about the shapes yet.

But I am close to finishing this one!

Fuller Falls - Complete

Last year Bruce, Liz and I took a day trip to the Fundy trail. Gorgeous day. Liz showed us Fuller Falls - quite a lovely site and worth seeing at different times of the season. It was a bit of a hike down - the falls travelled down over quite the terrain and we were rewarded with a sunny walk on the beach at the bottom.

This painting may not demonstrate the height in this section. I recommend the trip to everyone.

18 x 24 Oil on canvas

Meenans Cove Scene - latest work in progress

We have a beautiful cove nearby with a boat launch and park. This morning it was quiet and the water still. I am trying to capture that lovely serenity. Below are the various stages of progress. 

I had included a third smaller boat originally but felt it added nothing to the scene.

I had a eurika moment while painting last night. I added the sunlit field in the distance, creating another plane. It looked great but suddenly showed how cold the foreground had become.  So I warmed the earth along the shore, using burnt sienna and added yellow ochre and cad orange in the foreground grasses. I need to do some more work on the foreground by bring some more grasses into the water area and replacing the tips that I lost when changing the earth color.  I hope to create some reflected lightand and a bit more interesting detail on the boats. Then finally add a bit of lost and found edges on the tree.

Comments welcome.