Tide Swells

Beautiful day. Felt like it was going to rain all day, and it was kind of cold, which made painting interesting. Was fine though, as soon as I forgot I was cold.

Went out and got to paint today. My original intention when I started was to paint the rock on the left. As you can tell, that really didn't happen. It was all about the water and once I started on it, I really couldn't stop and til I got the bottom finished out. Think I still need to mess with the values in the front part of the water. Don't know.

Plan for tomorrow is pushing back the water behind the rock. Also going to push that little rock back. It's too dark.

Day Three: Covered the Canvas

Got everything covered today. It makes me feel better when I look at the canvas. I at least know that the overall color is working and I just will have to finish working wet into wet for the shadow side of the rocks. Looking forward to a little bit of palette knifing. The waves are going to be a challenge. I don't think I've ever done water like this before. So we'll see how it goes.

Day Two: Portland Rocks

So I have a bit of work done on the real one now, I would have got more done, except a storm came in and ruined all my fun. Only worked on half of it cause I want to work wet into wet when I get down to the other rocks. It makes my life easier that way, but having all that open canvas is so daunting. I'm starting to like the corner of the rock, but we'll see how it goes. It's been awhile since I've messed with cool and warm oils. Like it so far though

A New Beginning to an Old Love

I'm starting a painting in oil. Don't tell Mr. Jekel, but I like it. It's good to go back into oil and I'm painting my favorite subject, Maine. So here it goes. I just want to throw this in there. I've never had a blue palette scraper before. I've used it once, and now I can't find it, but here it is documented so I can remember how awesome it was.

I got to go out and take some pictures down in Portland. Probably one of the most photographed spots in the world, but hey, I haven't painted Maine in forever, so here was a good place to start. Even a better place to start? Rocks and water.

Started out the way I usually do. A good source and a drawing. This is the progress for today. I'll update you tomorrow, but here's what I've got so far. Finished the drawings and did the underpainting to eliminate the white and prep for the color I'll be putting down.

And I've done my first color study in years. I've learned quite a bit from it. Mostly what I won't be doing and remembering how to work in oil, but it was fun and I like it as a sketch. Mostly.

Til tomorrow

"Relaxation"

That's most likely what people are expecting me to get. After earning my Master of Fine Arts and finally finishing school, I'm going to, but my definition of relaxing and yours are probably two different things. Digital work is all that I did for three years, so my definition of relaxing is taking a break from digital and doing an oil painting. I've been snapping pictures of Maine in the hopes that one of them would prove useful later when I go back to work, illustrating for a publishing company. The freedom to finish something how you see fit is a precious thing I've learned. Painting will provide that outlet. Presently, I will enjoy that full freedom with an oil painting. I'll watching how the light hits this house for acouple more days just to see what looks best. I don't know it I want it overcast or more towards dusk. We'll see.