Spring at Nichols Ranch and Orchards

Spring at Nichols Ranch and Orchards

6x6in  oil on canvas panel  85.

Almost too pretty and lush to believe, here in the drought stricken,
southern part of New Mexico.
The ranch is nestled in a hilly area located up about 6,000 ft, so cooler weather
prevails in the scorching heat of summer. The ranch also has its own water to
irrigate with - a huge advantage,

Shown is part of the huge lilac bush I posted yesterday. The cherry tree
on the left is one that my friend grafted and planted when he was 7 years old
...many moons ago! Beautiful views are everywhere you turn so we all felt
blessed to have been invited to paint here.

Artist Note.

As I said yesterday, when painting on location it is hard for me to decide
what I am going to paint so I look for light /dark pattern flow... a linkage of light or dark areas.
Here the light areas ( building, cherry blossoms, trees in sun and path)
link by eye flow leaving the dark areas to hold some stability.

Spring Beauty

Apple and Cherry Blossoms

11x14in Unfinished demo - not for sale.

This is one of two demos I did yesterday. The apple blossoms have beautiful pink buds and the cherry Blossoms grow in clusters of round shapes  and are creamy white.

Artist Note.

I started with a pale, blue toned canvas and lifted the light areas off with an old cotton sock.
(I have a wonderful friend who passes on her sport socks to me...still pristine.)

Next I painted transparently to establish
important dark areas. I find it helps for me
to keep loose at this stage
so I use a big brush. #12
I have a habit of painting yellow
for the light
areas if the light source is warm.


                                                     Moving into opaque paint I

  

shape the cherry blossoms balls
to establish the values and form.
This is a close-up of
the foundation for the Cherry blossoms.
(Looks like a little cabbage!)
When I paint the flowers in top
most of the green will be gone

I mixed two batches of blue for the
pattern on the vase.
Paler for in the light and a darker
blue for the shadow area.
I ended up changing this in the painting
as it dominated too much. I had to decide
if the blossoms were the point of interest
or the vase.

Tomorrow I will show the other demo I did yesterday .

3 comments:

1. 
   JaneApr 3, 2012 11:35 PM

   Just love your tutoring, this piece is stunning, looking forward to seeing next demo.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   Virginia FloydApr 4, 2012 04:34 AM

   Lovely. I like the looseness of the blossoms. Very interesting how you painted those green "cabbages". It worked out beautifully.

   ReplyDelete
3. 
   KarenApr 4, 2012 06:55 AM

   I especially appreciate the photos and explanations under "Artist Notes". I'm saving them all. Thanks.

   ReplyDelete

Cherry Blossom Study

Cherry Blossom Study

6x8in  oil on canvas board   100.

One of the members of the Guild, Sue Nichols, brought in these
beautiful cherry blossoms. They are from her fruit orchard at the
Nichols Ranch. Cherry season is just around the corner!

She included apple blossoms too, but they are still in tight buds.
She assures me they are even more beautiful than these with pink flowers.
Maybe in a couple of days I can paint them.

Artist Note.

This is the way I paint clustered small flowers to prevent "cookie cutter" edges.
Grapes are painted the same way.

First.
Basic wash of color

 Second step.

Lift out the shapes of flowers
with cloth wrapped around finger
or use a damp brush..

 Third step.

Paint the flowers in two values.
As these are white flowers
place the middle value
(which is as dark as you want to go)
for areas in shade first and then
add the light touches

Fourth step.

Refine and add the small darks.

Your own personal direction comes
in to play here.
If you enjoy fine detail you will find
the basics are already done to work into .
If you are more impressionistic
then the idea is to create the
impression of a cluster by only detailing a few.

I work the background into the outside edges of the cluster creating petal shapes..

Asking a personal favor.

If you enjoy my Artist Notes, but do not like to comment on the blog,  I would appreciate
you emailing me at

juliefordoliver@gmail.com

and let me know if you think they are worthwhile...or NOT!
They take added time, which I do enjoy, in the hope they help someone, somewhere, who does not have access to instruction.
Also, if you can offer suggestions to improve what I do, it would be appreciated .

Thank you.

Julie