Delta at Twilight

Mount Hamilton at Twilight, 24 x 36 inches, pastel.

I went painting in the Delta a few weeks ago with Kim Fancher Lordier.
This is a painting done from some of the photos taken as the sun was going down. The painting is done in a near-pointillist style, with speckles of color scattered over an underpainting--the result is rich and interesting to look at.

Janon's Garden

Janon's Garden, 10 x 10 inches, oil.

A painting friend of mine had a party the other weekend that included a painting session on her beautiful farm. I had a lovely time in the sweet fall weather. I am continuing to paint in oils--and find that I have learned much from my pastel work that applies to mixing clean color in oil.

Delta Impression

Delta Impression, 16 x 20 inches, oil.

I am channeling my inner impressionist, and trying to create the kind of sparkle one sees in a Monet painting--not likely, but a fun endeavor. I don't think this painting is finished yet, but I do like it, so could not resist posting it.

Improvisations

Two Improvisations, 10 x 10 inches (x2), oil.

I made these two up in my studio this afternoon--quite fun. They are done with a soft fan brush.

Delta Painting

Delta Afternoon, 12 x 12 inches.

Kim Fancher and I drove out to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta two weeks ago and painted in the lovely afternoon and evening light along the levees. The Delta surprised me with its unusual beauty--I felt as if I had traveled far from home, instead of driven for two hours. I hope to go back very soon.

Marsh Seven and Eight

Marsh Seven, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Marsh Eight, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

These two paintings were done at the Oil Painters of America Paintout at the Palo Alto Baylands. I was pleased with the paintings, even though the day was overcast with flat light.
Ordinarily, I would be in the studio on such a day, having resolved to avoid potentially boring painting conditions. I especially like the painting harmony and composition of the second painting--it reflects the quality of the day very well.

Still playing in the Marsh

Marsh V, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Marsh V, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

These two continue my recent series from the Marshlands close to my home. I am enjoying seeing the color scheme continue between painting sessions.

Two more from the Marsh

Purple Distance in the Marsh, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Last Light, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Here are two more to continue the series from the previous post. These early evenings with warm weather make painting a true pleasure. Again, I like the color harmony I found in the second painting here, with the yellow/purple contrasting with the orange in the midground reeds. As always, the loveliest part of the evening is not on the canvas--an egret lifting ponderous, light-soaked wings over the reeds and water.

Two from the Marsh

Trees at the Marsh, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Path to the Bay, 6 x 6 inches, oil.

Yesterday evening I spent some time at the Baylands in Mountain View, watching birds, and light and painting the evening colors. I particularly like the vibrant knife work in the second painting. I started out with the foreground much fussier with blue shadows striping across the path, then took them out in disregard for reality, but respect for pictoral integrity. The ommission bounces the focus back to the distant trees at the top of the composition. These little plays are always fun.

On the Mist Trail

Up the Trail, to the Falls, 30 x 40 inches, oil.

This painting is from a photo taken in early spring when the falls in Yosemite Valley are charging down the mountain. The technique in this painting is something I have recently come up with--it involves smooshing paint into paint to get washy gradations with a palette knife. It makes for long painting hours because the technique does not work at all once the paint is dry.