Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Storm Over the Tesuque Hills



Storm Over the Tesuque Hills, N.M.

6x8in  oil on canvas panel   100.

This was a quick study of an approaching storm viewed from
my friend's studio window. Her windows must be 12 feet high
and they provide a dramatic vista on stormy skies and sunrises.

Artist Note.

It was the sky I wanted to capture, but the clouds were moving rather fast
so I squinted to get the overall colors and values of the sky and hills,
and I was mixing the different shades as I compared. Once I had the colors
I painted a dark sky going cooler as it moved back and put in the shape of
the hills...and I waited.
As soon as the sun broke through I quickly painted the light pattern
on top of what I had already put down.
 I even had time to catch where the sun fell on part of the
back hills. The foreground I did after waiting for
similar light.
This is the method I use for capturing fleeting lighting conditions.
Having the colors premixed makes speed possible,.




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6 comments:

  1. Nicely done! I must try that pre-mix thing someday...you captured the day!

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  2. I love the blue gates on the last post...so pretty. Make me want blue gates in my back yard. And this current painting is just lovely. The sun hitting the mountains is so nice. The sky is beautiful too. I have heard of the squinting trick before.

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  3. The light on the hills is what catches my eyes immediately...love how you did this in different sessions waiting for the conditions you wanted .

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  4. I'm so glad I signed up for your blog. I like the way you are so hands on and I hope some of your instruction translates into my work. Your sky is lovely.

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  5. Excellent job of catching the fleeting light and storm coming up.Your brushwork is always so interesting too!

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  6. This is beautiful. I love how you captured the light on the hills and the warmth of the foreground. I just started reading your blog and am finding it so helpful. I really love the lemons you did. It's hard to choose a favorite.

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Cheers,
Julie