Preparing for the Christmas Auction

For the December Wallkill River School Auction, we're creating bookmarks painted in oils. So each one is a little Original work of Art. That can make a nice present for both an artist and a book lover. The format is small and an absolute joy to paint. I almost want to paint these forever because the list of imagery available goes on forever.

To Capture the Sun

I received an email that someone wanted to buy this painting at the gallery in Cold Spring, but by the time he returned, it was gone. Thank goodness, I love this style of painting so I have another one in the works, which has a similar atmosphere and color palette. I just love it, when the colors are slightly exaggerated and many times contradictory to real life but when presented in a painting, creates that feeling of shock and amazement. Of course, I hope I find those "color blends" in my next painting.

Oil Paint Demonstration - Tree

After outlining the tree, I added colors on the outline, which will add a sparkle effect to the image. More colors next to each other, the better the effect. I also painted the dark shadows making sure the colors are not bright and doesn't have the "out of the tube" look. To dull a color, the easiest way is to add it's opposite on the color wheel. If the green is too bright, then I would add a little "red" to tone it down.

After adding the shadow colors (at the top would be a lighter more blue shadow and would slowly work it's way to be darker and more reddish as I got to the bottom), I added the middle tones and did the same treatment with the color transition. (more bluish and lighter on top and darker, more reddish at the bottom of the tree.)