Iowa Commission 6-30-15

This 8x10 study is prep work for a larger commission I'm working on. The final piece will be 30"x 36" so imagine more foreground and lots more sky. Usually I post my pencil sketch then the first painting study but I got ahead of myself. One thing I left out is a wooden sign the says "Pumkins for Sale" because I'm not quite sure of the placement, it seems critical for the correct composition of the painting so I'm taking my time on that sign. I think I've included all the elements so far, except the sign. Please email me and let me know what you think.

Sunday Afternoon Project

I started this Sunday afternoon at 2:00 and was finished around 4:00pm.

Work in Progress 1-8-15

 I decided to put in a dark sky so the white clapboard house would really stand out yet I did not want to do my old standby-the winter snow fall landscape. I felt this did the job!

In this second photo all the elements are there but I'll hold onto the painting for a few days giving me time to add a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Corrections 1-7-15

Some corrections were made at the request of Caitlin, namely, the addition of snow to the roof and a softening of the windows looking out over the deck. To complete the painting I apply a heavy coat of medium gloss varnish to protect the canvas and allow the owner to lightly dust and keep it clean.

Caitlin 12/29/14

Caitlin,  I believe this painting is finished but I would like to take another day or two to look it over and tweak it if necessary.  The sky went down very easy which is always a good thing but I was surprised how easy and quickly the birch trees were put in, I use a very fine brush and lay multiple strokes of paint to get it just right. I was concerned with the foreground snow but it too was built in four layers and the final one looked great. The canvas is painted on all four edges so you can frame it or hang it unframed, lastly I will coat it with acrylic varnish for a protective layer. I hope you like it! Feel free to contact me or Donna will get with you regarding payment and shipment.

Michelle 12/29/14

Michelle, I gently touched up the painting here and there and now am posting the final version. I painted all four edges so you can leave it unframed if you choose not to frame it. I hope you like it and it brings back great memories for you and your family. Donna will contact you regarding payment and shipment. Thanks so much for allowing me the opportunity to paint for you.

Caitlin 12/27/14

This winter landscape painting is about 95% finished, I will let it set for a day then go back and adjust the blue shading in the foreground and the drive in the right corner. Please feel free to comment to me on my etsy sight.

Caitlin 12/25/14

As you can see I've added the horizon trees, pines, tall birch trees, given the foreground snow a second coat, and some details on the house. There is much left to do. I like to work in a semi painterly style which means this is not a photo reproduction but a painting where you may see several brush strokes and the artist is given certain liberties as he uses the brushes on canvas. I will be traveling tomorrow and will not post again till Saturday at the earliest.

Caitlin's Blocked In 12/24/14

In this stage the major portions are "blocked in' and ready to move on to the next stage. At this point I just look at shapes; sky- rectangle, gables- triangles, foreground- triangle, etc. I'm fairly happy with the sky and may move on to the horizon, when I do that it will tell me if I have the sky color and density right.

Caitlin's Commission 12/22/14

This is the initial brush sketch on a black canvas, sometimes I use a black canvas, from here I will put in the sky, foreground, and horizon trees.

Here is the painting, I think I am 95% done.

I filled in the tree with more foliage and put in an initial out line of C. Smith

I have added the tree it is amount half way done,  and some rustic aspect of the barn wood. Please note that I am trying to keep the barn roof red like the photo.  If you have any concerns just let Donna know.

Michelle, here is the basic painting, from here I begin to add details, I am only half way done.