Personal Art Blog

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

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Fall at Ghost Ranch, NM


Fall at Ghost Ranch
10x12"
Oil on crappy paper
NFS

The cottonwood trees turn a brilliant gold 
in the fall and when the sun illuminates 
them they look like 
they are alight with flames. 

Artist Note.
This was a demo of painting trees with
a palette knife.
Underneath was first done with transparent washes 
applied with a fan brush using the 
chisel motion shown in my utube short tutorial
 - link below.
Starting this way gave the edges of the 
trees a more natural shape by blending
effortlessly into the other colors/values 
around them.











35 comments:

  1. I love the glow of yellow as if the whole composition is ignited, beautiful ultramarine backing it makes it pop out, fabulous to look at Julie!

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    1. Thanks - we think the same, Padmaja. l loved the glow when I first saw it.
      Same way I loved the greens in your colorado painting. I love the way you kept the photos your sister sent you for years and years.

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  2. Gorgeous yellow and I particularly love the blue detail behind the tree. I bought a fan brush and need to practice, I will watch your video again.Have a wonderful day!

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    1. fan brushes are so useful. I love mine. Thanks for the complement, Ceilia.
      Love your sketches. You are so accomplished...and to think...your daughter taking her first driving lesson - wow!

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  3. It's enjoyable to look at all of your marks. And beautiful trees also. I bet that gold color in the sunlight is something to see!

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    1. pleased you liked it Libby. thank you.
      Your new paintings are a delight -full of texture and color.

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  4. Le jaune est toujours périlleux dans une peinture, mais vous en avez fait des merveilles :)

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    1. You are correct about yellow. I still am very cautious because of how hard it can be.
      Your still life is great. I enjoy seeing painting with texture like that.

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  5. This is absolutely beautiful, Julie! Love the colors. I watched the short video and you make it look so easy!!!! I will be watching it again!

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    1. I guess the only way you would even need a fan brush would be to blend or maybe it would be great for painting hair.
      Thanks as always for the visit.

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  6. Thank you for the demo, Julie. Your method certainly replicates the loose, indefinite look of branches and leaves. I've been fortunate to see cottonwoods at this time of year, and they are a wonder! The bright yellows and golds really enliven what can be a bleak landscape.

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    1. Hi Carol. Thanks. You and I both love the southwest.
      I want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your AWBH post about yourself.
      thanks for sharing -vI only admire you and your work even more.

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  7. I have always heard about cottonwoods but never seen them. What vibrant color. Love it right next to the blue in the background. You manage to make feel like I am standing right in the actual place. Just beautiful my friend. Hope you are enjoying a delightful day. Hugs

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    1. Hello, dear Debbie. Thanks for this lovely comment.
      Your new post is a fun one and you made me realize - snow IS on its way.
      Hugs, back.

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  8. This is stunning, a fabulous tribute to Autumn ! Wow, wow, wow !...Sorry for the lack of better words.

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    1. Hi and thanks, Jane - love your blue eyed beauty! Now those eyes are worth a wow, wow, wow!

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  9. Brilliant is absolutely the right word - not only to describe the color but to describe this painting. It really gives me a sense of the beauty of nature and makes me feel happy!

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    1. Oh - I know you would LOVE the Ghost Ranch Area of New Mexico. You have the eye!
      Your portraits always amaze me Susan and the latest one with the fabulous head, is perfect!

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  10. Beautiful painting! I laughed out loud about the "oil on crappy paper".

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    1. Hi Stephanie. Oh, you noticed that about the paper, did you?
      In class I often demo on the back of old posters when doing just little area but this one kept on growing. Not acid free and no barrier so the oil will eat right through it. Rats!
      You did a fabulous job on your pear. Love the wonderful edges and texture.

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  11. The word that comes to mind is masterful. Those trees are alive as is the sky. Yes, indeed!

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    1. Thanks Helen. I will treasure your words when I have a down day!
      You are really getting more and more into the abstract so I think you are loving it. You do it so well too.

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  12. oil on crappy paper! haha, love that. all I can say about this painting is 'I wish I'd painted it'........ Stunning

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    1. You noticed - observant lass. Have you ever done that, Mary. Started something on any old surface only to find out later it wasn't good stuff?
      At my age you would have thought I would know better.
      I love the wonderful light in your new painting.

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  13. How did I forget about the fan brush technique? Oh...I see a familiar object on the wall too. :)

    About your painting...did I read that right? On crappy paper? That made me smile. About the painting again...wow. It's stunning. The reds in it are beautifully dark and broken and the pale blue peeking through with these brilliant cottonwoods.

    Our cottonwoods turn yellow too, but not quite as brilliantly. I love the sound they make. Like the ocean.

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    1. Hello, dear friend.I Next time you come to New Mexico I will take you to O'keeffe country. It is true what you say about the sound of the leaves rustling. I love it too.
      Clever you using the Matisse for inspiration. I love what you did.
      t

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  14. wow--that color is just fabulous! Why did you paint this on crappy paper? lol! It is really outstanding!

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    1. Groan - hard to explain why. Just happened to use the crappy paper. Wasn't thinking I guess.
      Thinking of you tonight with your show opening. sending the warmest of good wishes and DO wish I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

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  15. It is just stunning work, Julie! I live in a land of cottonwoods so easily recognize the tree. Love the emerald color on the top of the rise.

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  16. I like that bit too. I deliberately pushed the color there otherwise all the yellow would prevent the eye from travelling.
    You are a top notch comment-er and I see you support us on so many blogs even when your heart is low. Bless you!

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  17. Very beautiful painting with amazing yellow colour trees

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  18. Dear Julie, even here the trees have taken the colors of autumn, exactly in these days ... Your landscape painting is so bright and I can see the leaves vibrate in the breeze.
    I am happy that you have overcome the problems of computers and see here, or on facebook your beautiful works with oil and watercolors on Yupo.
    It 'sa time that are a little' further away from the blog. I had some beautiful day with my girls here, but the first December, they will move to Houston.
    How many changes for me in such a short time ... I know that painting is a way to deal with it, but this time it's like I am a bit "dried".
    I wish you lots of happy painting and a pleasant autumn
    in the beautiful place where you live.

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  19. I always enjoy your blog. Beautiful painting!

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  20. Wow Julie the colour and light in this one just leap off that crappy paper! What a stunning picture! I do love your drollness!

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie