Today was my third day at KIRA (Kingsbrae International Residency for the Arts). It was another glorious summer day.
Yesterday I started an 11x14in canvas of the lower pond with a cream coloured rhododendron in full bloom and patches of lupins blooming. I was smitten by the dappled shade and the backlit birch trees.
The canvas texture was pretty rough, so I struggled to achive a soft, faery-like feel. I gave up yesterday due to red ants, struggles with the canvas texture and the light changing. I didn't want to give up so easily! This morning first thing I trecked down to the pond again- yesterday's canvas in tow and gave it another try. I was amazed how much smoother it went today. I moved the easel, so there were hardly any ants, I stood up to so to easier move back and forth from the canvas and I arrived earlier then I did in my first session, so I had extra time to observe values, shade and light.
Here is where the it stands with the lower pond painting. Not quite done, but the overall done. I might simplify a few shapes, tweak some edges and adjust a few value bits (tomorrow, haha).
As my daily flower portrait I had something different in mind, but couldn't resist to pitch my easel when I saw these dandelion seed heads (is this even the right word for them?).
Anyhow, here it is.
Behind the scenes:
I was so frustrated with this rough textured canvas that I decided to prime my other canvasses with oil ground in the hopes of yielding a smooth(er) surface.
This afternoon I prepped these panels with Gamblin oil ground. I put on a first layer, now I'll let them dry and put on a second layer tomorrow. They will have to cure a full week after that! Glad I read the instruction label so to plan for the curing time! Yey me (it's the little things;)
Also, I toned the large canvas a bright red.
All in all, that was my day. Productive- behind the scenes mostly... but pleased to be chopping away on preparatory chores.
Until tomorrow again! Thanks for stopping by!
Simone
The canvas texture was pretty rough, so I struggled to achive a soft, faery-like feel. I gave up yesterday due to red ants, struggles with the canvas texture and the light changing. I didn't want to give up so easily! This morning first thing I trecked down to the pond again- yesterday's canvas in tow and gave it another try. I was amazed how much smoother it went today. I moved the easel, so there were hardly any ants, I stood up to so to easier move back and forth from the canvas and I arrived earlier then I did in my first session, so I had extra time to observe values, shade and light.
Here is where the it stands with the lower pond painting. Not quite done, but the overall done. I might simplify a few shapes, tweak some edges and adjust a few value bits (tomorrow, haha).
 |
| Dappled Light by the Pond, 11x14in, oil on canvas |
As my daily flower portrait I had something different in mind, but couldn't resist to pitch my easel when I saw these dandelion seed heads (is this even the right word for them?).
Anyhow, here it is.
 |
| 6x6in, oil plein air, dandelion seed heads |
I was so frustrated with this rough textured canvas that I decided to prime my other canvasses with oil ground in the hopes of yielding a smooth(er) surface.
This afternoon I prepped these panels with Gamblin oil ground. I put on a first layer, now I'll let them dry and put on a second layer tomorrow. They will have to cure a full week after that! Glad I read the instruction label so to plan for the curing time! Yey me (it's the little things;)
Also, I toned the large canvas a bright red.
 |
| preparing canvasses outside my studio |
Until tomorrow again! Thanks for stopping by!
No comments:
Post a Comment