Sunset Cruise

Sunsets are most interesting with clouds and lots of atmosphere.  A clear sky offers just a blinding sun that sets with little drama.  Of course the clouds can ruin a sunset if the sun dips behind a bank of clouds at the horizon.  Then you do not really see it set. 

The clouds give the sky a chance to reflect that color that appears and intensifies after the sun is gone.  Photogaphing the sun unfiltered results in a burnout of light, where you loose that ball of light.  It is more of a blotch.  On most evenings the drama after the sun has slipped under the horizon makes a better picture.

On rare evenings there is atmosphere at the horizon or even fog.  This can appear to be clouds that are going to dampen the show.  Instead the sun shines through, it's intensity is filtered just enough to become that magnificent ball of light and color.

I used orange in this painting.  A mixture of indigo, mauve, and ultramarine blue in the water and sky.  The light still in the water made this scene magical.  Often the water will appear almost black at sunset.  I have always said that the water and beach are different every time you visit.     

Seagull at Sunset

I cleaned up my paints today.  Then I started messing around.  This painting crashed and burned early.  Once the painting is not working, experimenting is not so scary.  I played with laying different kinds of pigments next to each other.  I am not happy with the results, but if you are going to paint, you do should not be afraid of producing a few ugly ones.  The learning process is always of value.  I might try this one again in a couple of days.  Maybe there will be improvement.  I do need to do a couple of sunsets.  This painting did not start out as one. 

My photos are not the best.  I am moving into a bigger place at mid month.  I will have a whole room as my studio.  In the guest room I will set up for photographing paintings correctly.  I can leave the camera and lights set up, until I have company.  It is great to throw a painting on an easel and have an accurate photo in minutes. 

This is a very chaotic month to do a painting a day, but then again the challenge keeps me painting.  I am happier if I am painting.  After the move I can get more serious about my work.  This seems like play.  Play is good right now.

Boy Running

This is cool against warm.  Not sure I nailed the sketch.  It is a start and will turn into a studio painting.  I am enjoying the quick experimentation.  Painting #5

Wild White Egret

Painting #4
I was distracted today.  Looks like I will be packing to move tomorrow.  I am in desperate need of more room to work.  My husband likes bigger houses.  So we are upgrading to a bigger house, but not too big.  No need to have too much house to clean.  Real estate has been a roller coaster these last few years.  This morning it looked like we were going to walk away from the house we had been working on buying for the last few months.  I was willing to accept either outcome, but God laid upon my heart this morning that he had not had the last word yet.  We looked at other houses.  There where several possibilities.  Let the other house go.  It came walking back.  The sellers are now willing to negotiate.

It was 11:00 EST.  Not one brush has been wet today.  I was flipping through photos and I ran across the one where this great egret was voicing his opinion from behind some foliage.  Great.  I love to paint white.  I reversed things.  The bird was darker against the sky in the photo.  In my painting the sky defines the bird.  The color in his head and beak was brought down into his body.  This one was slapped down with not much fussing.  Good night.

Spotted Crab

I will write more tomorrow.  Right now I have an eye that is flaming red and tearing.  This is painting #3 of 30 paintings.

Crab

This little guy was rougher to paint then I thought.  He was hairy.  Sand and water are a challenge.  As the days go on I will try different techniques.  Painting is all about practice.  I used a knife to remove some paint and also a battery operated nail file for a quick speckled look.  If this work was bigger, shapes could have been developed better.  

The Seagull in 30 Paintings in 30 Days

I am starting the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  My theme this month will be images from the gulf.  I am in Florida for the winter.  Life on the water's edge captivates me.  The seagull is looking at me with a wary eye as I was walking on the beach.