Week 3-Be Patient and Paint the Plan

My oil painting is progressing along nicely and I'm pleased at the progress.  I knew that I would learn a lot by taking one on one lessons but I find myself struggling at my home easel now.  I'm trying to incorporate the things I have leaned these past 3 lessons into my own works at home and I feel a bit lost.  I think this is normal and I just have to keep working at it until I break free of old habits and take my time staying with the plan.  Painting TOP to BOTTOM, BACK to FRONT.  No cheating even if I can't wait to see how that bright yellow foliage of the Aspen trees are going to pop against those dark green pines.

For the past two years that I have returned to my childhood passion,  I have been committed to practicing and have painted nearly 100 pieces.  Some of course better than others.  I have sold about 8 pieces in that time but have many stacked around the house.  I believe I have shown my dedication and have reached that point of taking my art to the next level.  Private lessons are what I feel is needed for me to advance to the next level. 

I think there are plenty of other new, struggling artists that must feel the same way that I do.  At 51 years old, do I have enough time to progress my talent to where I want it to be?  Only God knows that answer,but in the mean time I want to either be painting, teaching or sharing what I am learning with others by blogging about my experiences.

Original Photo that I chose to use as the inspiration for my first oil painting

WK 1- Laying out the composition by sketching the main details using a neutral colored paint

WK 1- blocking in the main base colors that will eventually be the mountains, sky and foreground

WK 1- Stopping the first lessons with my canvas covered in a layer of acrylic paints.

WK 2- Here I am painting my canvas top to bottom and back to front.  Most of this background area will be covered up with my foreground details but you have to give the viewer that distance to create interest

WK 3-  Here I have changed the mountain color from purple to more blue.  Blue gives a better feeling of distance because of the haze created in the atmosphere that gives a blue tint to objects in the distance.  I have focused on my areas of light and shadow and developed the path way.  The view's eye is drawn to both areas in the distance that reflect the sunlight.  It makes you feel that the path continue down over the hill and there must be something interesting there.

A Road Going Somewhere

12 x 36  Acrylic- Pioneer Dreams

I have always been intrigued when I see a rocky path or road heading off into the distance.  Where does this go and who has traveled this way before me are just a few the questions that race to my mind.  The explorer in me wants to head up into those mountains in search of beautiful scenery or some old mining ruins.  Nevada is full of just such adventures.  I think that is why I love this state so much.

This painting reminds me of just such a road heading off into the distance.  We actually found this stone structure as we were exploring Central Nevada.  Check out this link if you want to see the actual location: http://www.robertwynn.com/Peavine.htm

I'm certain that as long as I have the energy to climb into our truck that I will feel that impulse to follow that unknown distant trail leading off into the horizon.  This makes me mindful of my life and the choices I have made.  We are all on a path of some kind and we need to always remember the one who directs our path.  "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."  Psalms 16:10