Mar 3 - More Details on the Polo Ponies OIl, 16 x 20

The "Color Punch" begins to show up now! The difference between this stage and the earlier one may be minor in square inches, but it is major in pulling the color design toward the finished state. These few brush marks on the backs of the horses bring out the message of light and value difference (also color temperature difference) that need to happen to make this painting work. There is still much more to do, however seeing these few brush marks may help to show how the Color System works. There is no lighter value than the sunlight on the gray horse. There is no stronger edge (or will be) than the topline near that horse's tail.

If there is a strong edge elsewhere, it will be compromised by little value change, no temperature change, or act as a subordinate "supporting" edge in the design, and not be as important.

I've put a smaller image of the prior stage to show you how much those marks change the dynamics of the design of the painting. Suddenly there is "punch" whereas before it was just a nicely coming along painting.

When we as artists want to control where the viewer's eye goes, our tools are straight from the design box. Here I'm using value change, edge hardness and temperature difference to force your eye to go to that horse, even thought the rest of the painting may be visually interesting. While I continue to paint from this important step, I will be ever mindful that the gray's back as my focal point. No edge or contrast will be as strong as that area. Now on to finish this beastie!

There are still spaces in the Florida five-day workshop in May (first week--GORGEOUS time to be in Florida!). Please contact Kathie Camara if you'd like a spot in the Color Boot Camp, where you'll paint along with me for five fun and full days of learning in Central Florida!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Feb 14 - Starting to find edges, Oil of Polo Ponies

In looking at the difference between this and my last posting, the changes may not be that large. I am working on the horse trailer and the grasses, bring them subtly up in details which will support the details yet to come on the horses. I know that these small endeavors are necessary so that when I work on the horses, they will end up surpassing the details I put in now.

On other news, the weather is giving me a taste of Spring to come, with a lovely 84-degree day today. Here's a photo of me taken this morning on a hike with a group of friends. Behind me is the mountain of Box Springs, and my home is directly behind me at the base of it. Beautiful way to spend some free time! I know there may be more rains to come, but a day like this puts me on top of the world. Tomorrow more on the painting... yes, details!

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Feb 12 - Still working on the Polo Ponies Oil

It is really coming together now with the start and the addition of the warm box palette in those grassy sunlit areas! The Color System works so well, because it was just an easy switch of the boxes to get to this point, and you can see how the dynamics of adding the warms makes the painting read right.

The colors in the grasses are not pure by any means, but are from the warm box, with the dominant pigments being sap green, cad yellow and cad orange. Can you feel the heat there? It contrasts so beautifully with the blue-green shadows laid in yesterday. Again, no edges worrying me at this point, just the big shapes.

A good weekend ahead, with fun, painting and laughter. I hope yours will be as much fun.

Many of you asked for mor info about my aikido training, so I thought I'd send along a photograph taken in front of the shomen (front of the mat area) at the place where I train. Yes, that's me, ready to take on all attacks. I'll be continuing with my training for as long as I can, and that will be many more years. It gives me connection in so many ways, including to you.

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Feb 11 - Demonstration in OIls for Hemet Valley Art Association Continues

Here's the 16 x 20 oil demonstration for the Hemet Valley Art Association after about 10 minutes with the brush on the canvas. I'm completely in the Cool Box of the Color System for these lower values, all representing shadows in the composition. I like to start with darks, painting UP to the light as I work.

Most interesting at this stage is the "warm" reflected light on the belly of the third horse--a gray. That's a "peach" color made by white, alizarin and yellow ocrhe. Great illusion of warm where it is needed. I do admit that the luscious blue-green of the Thalo green and white mix in those shadows gives me shivers of excitement, though! More tomorrow, and I hope you're enjoying the development of this one as much as I am.

I am not interested in edges or tight control, but more in the masses of value. Like good construction, one ensures that the walls are sturdy before putting in the windows!

Yesterday's email went out with a video on my martial art in it, and if you were not able to see it, I have it on my blog for yesterday. Worth a look! And I'm looking forward to teaching the Color System workshop this coming weekend, too!

Yes, life is good. Now where did I put my pina colada? Hmmm.... (grin).

You can see my entire blog HERE.
My workshop schedule for 2010 is HERE.
Color System information can be found HERE.
If you need to email me directly, please click here.