two studies of a conifer tree

Hi Phoebe sorry to be away so long, I have had to settle into coastal oil painting for now so the trees are quietly taking a break! However Ulrike who has been visiting our area came out with me to a lovely beach with a wood by it. Ulrike settled into painting the beach while I took the opportunity to sketch a conifer, it was such an untidy wild looking tree that I had to really edit what I was seeing or not seeing as the case was! It was wonderful to be back drawing my dear friends the trees though I must say I am finding my coastal painting very peaceful and enjoying using the colours and skills learned with Deborah on her courses.

The sketches here are not really on a blue back ground the light outside is incredibly bright, yes the sun is shining in Scotland! so I took the photos inside but it is not a great success but you get the general idea!

Ready for Texas

the top four thumbs are of the same scene on Honeymoon Island. I edited them in different formats and chose one for an underpainting below.

The second underpainting is an idea from the JG Ranch when the blueberries were growing. The sky will be the main point of view.

It's time to start thinking about shipping my Underpaintings and art supplies to Texas for Deborah's eight day art workshop at her studio. This will be an opportunity of a life time for me. You can be sure I will bring a stash of Bon Bon's for the future Bon Bon breaks that will be needed during the steep learning curves coming up! I think it will be like the "Indy 500" in the artists world. Life in the fast lane. I will put on my helmet (straw hat), fasten my seatbelt and enjoy the ride! ;>)

Thumb and Result

Yes, Phoebe, you're quite right. I've just done some pastels and more or less by chance there was a thumbnail for that I did during the course.

And here's the pastel result.

18 x 13cm

Thumbs, Thumbs in Use, and a Neat Quote

First the quote by Edgar Payne. I started reading his book "Composition of Outdoor Painting". The context is "art talent":

"To say that the artist is born and not made, is only partly true. Actually, while it (talent) is an important qualification, there is no proof of real worth in talent until it has been developed and expanded by a tremendous amount of serious study and plain hard work".

SO TRUE!

Yesterday I returned to Eagle Lake anxiously wanting to see if it was spared the tornado and severe thunderstorms that swept through this area late last week. Largo, where Eagle Lake is located, reported damage from the tornado so I was concerned about the Canadian Geese nesting on the little island that I've done in thumbnails several times. Also I sketched two Moorhens "on their honeymoon" last month in the same area. I was thrilled to see the Canadian Geese guarding their nest AND the two Moorhens taking their four babies for a swim. The Moorhens are known for walking on the vegetation in the water - and, sure enough, the four babies were learning how to walk on the water lily leaves. It was a real sight to see. Eagle Lake was spared any damages which was a great relief.

So here is the latest work and I feel it is paying off to consistently be thumbing it. While observing nature I'm much more aware of what would make a good thumb. I'm getting more comfortable with editing, and seeing more of "the essence" of an object rather than every minute detail. Although there is beauty in the details, I just don't have to relate each one!

To all you thumbies, don't just sit on your thumbs! Start thumbing it on the highways and byways. People with give you a lift! Or we can give each other a lift when we see those thumbs. Before you know it, you will have a "two thumbs up" from the rest of us.

I'm just saying... ;>)