trees without leaves II - variation 1

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

This painting is the first color variation of the second image in this series. Again, I'm working at trying to keep it loose, this time using much bigger brushes wherever I could. 

Below are a few things from my printmaking class:  

Second attempt at this tree image with a few changes from the first one I made and posted last time. 

This is the "ghost" image of the tree above it - the third printing without re-inking the linoleum block.  I actually like this one the most so far. 

My printmaking instructor is Maren Munoz and she really knows her stuff! Check out her website when you get a chance. Here are some photos of her in class demonstrating color reduction prints which we will be working on during the next class on Sunday. 

Have a great weekend!

trees without leaves I - variation 5

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

This is the last color variation for this image.  For these color studies, I have tried to push the color a lot from what one would consider "normal" colors for a landscape. 

Below are two photos of the beginning of this painting:

I first toned the canvas with a medium value blue (this isn't the best photo - the blue was more of a turquoise or teal), then blocked in the shapes with a brown.  Next I added the grayed light blue to the ground area, trying to keep it really loose.

Then I added another blue hue to the sky area and added exaggerated intense color to the trees.  I started out loose, hoping I would stay loose, but as you can see in the final painting, it got a bit tighter than I was hoping for...and the colors changed to more muted neutrals and "softer" which I actually like a lot.


Other stuff:

Below is my first try at relief printmaking. There are things about this print that I like but also some mistakes.  We just finished our third week, and I am finding I really love the process.

If you are interested in the relief printmaking process, go to this website.  It has lots of good information. 

Have a great week!

trees without leaves I - variation 4

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

This is a fairly low-key painting, using combinations of reds and greens. 

trees without leaves I - variation 3

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

This is the third painting in my series.

Other News:

Tomorrow I am starting a class in relief printmaking.  I am really excited to try this!  My friend, Carol, lent me her printing press to use outside of class.  I'll post my progress through the class.  Hopefully there will be something "post-worthy."  We'll see!

trees without leaves I - variation 2

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

This is the second painting in the series. 

trees without leaves I - variation 1

oil on gessobord, 6" x 6"

I have begun a series of small paintings - "trees without leaves" - using photographs as reference and painting several color variations of each photograph.  The above painting is the first in the series.