8" x 10" oil on board
Every now and then a painting feels like a step forward. Although, sometimes I say that and a month later I can't stand to look at it.
I don't think that will happen with this one, though. I rarely say this, but I'm happy with almost everything about this painting.
Composition, light, color...it's what I've been striving for. The warm foreground, cool middle, sun shining through the trees...I can feel it, and passing that feeling along has become my goal when painting.
A couple of things that might have helped this one out. First, the kids were staying at their grandparent's, so it was quiet, and I wasn't rushed. Second, I painted this in two sittings, which I rarely do. It may have even benefitted from a third sitting because I started rushing to finish in time for a dinner reservation, and I got pretty tired by the end. I love this palette, too. The entire painting is three colors, Venetian Red, yellow, and blue-black. Harmony is created when everything is mixed from the same three colors.
This was a good year painting-wise. There were times when I was frustrated by having to squeeze in paintings and finish them in hour or even half an hour with no corrections, etc. But I realize now that it was good practice for moments like this when I'm able to take my time. My goal for the new year is to have a bigger painting going that I work on in pieces over time. I also want to find some go-to outdoor locations, preferably where there aren't a lot of people.
FYI, this location is just below Crab Tree Falls down in Nelson County, VA.
