When Time Is Short

Only had a short time yesterday morning. We're getting ready for a big trip through the midwest. I'm very excited to see family and introduce my new bride to where I grew up.

There will be opportunities to paint and I'll try to post from the road if I can find a hook up.

As for this tiny study, I love doing these guys. It's maybe 3"x4" if that. Just a study of the late morning overcast flat lighting that really emphasized the wet feeling cools in this picture. I had to make sure the ground plane and pieces of sky had lots of light and higher value as that what the conditions really suggested. That scenario pushes your overall values down but really illuminates the sky a silvery coolish nameless color.

See you next time on the road!

Chad

"Dixie" Second Installment

I was able to put some time into Dixie's portrait today finishing up the ears. I decided to go with my instincts and make the farthest ear a bit smaller to emphasize depth and made sure the darkest value was a "hair" lighter than in the other ear. This keeps me from contradicting myself and sustaining the illusion.

Also, it's a good idea to get some warmth ie. reds and oranges into the ears. This will represent the translucency of the ear with light passing through illuminating it with the higher chroma red showing up visually. Furthermore, in the photo provided by the client, this area was very dark. This is common in photos. I needed to rely on what I know about this particular situation and ignore the value structure presented to me in the photo to add life and the sense of light I'm after.

Chad

"Mohawk Overlook"--- click here to buy

This 6"x8" is of the Mohawk River. After spending the morning with an artist friend in Little Falls I found this vista and new I had to give it a shot. It reminded me of the Hudson River Painters and their often grand and scenic pictures.

I've included a few pics of the process and one of the view that I had. It was a wonderful slightly overcast day for painting when I started but the sun did finally make a strong appearance and my light changed quite a bit before I was finished. It's all part of the adventure!

Chad

"Dixie" Changing It Up

Dixie's owner contacted me about doing an 8"x10" portrait and I was happy to do it. This is a different kind of adventure... a studio adventure. Instead of 1-3 hours, these works can take a week or more depending on the size and complication of the subject and background.

As you can see from the progress pics, Dixie seems to be coming along nicely. There are always unique challenges regarding portraits but I welcome the change. Turning the form carefully on a head is big fun.

I plan to post the progress on Dixie as this is taking all my painting time at the moment. Please let me know what you think about how I've "changed it up."

Chad

Tug Hill Paint Out Adventure---"Golden Pathway" SOLD

I attended the Tug Hill Paint Out this weekend to benefit the Tug Hill Land Trust. What a great adventure! Constable Hall in Constableville was gorgeous. The hall itself is rich with history and the flower garden (the subject of my painting) was uplifting and inspiring. Truth be told, the best part was meeting all the friendly attendees and other artists. 20+ talented artists participated and the work was auctioned off that evening. I'm told the event was a success and congrats to the Tug Hill Land Trust for a wonderful event and great experience for me.

A special thanks to Martha Deming who purchased the previously painted "Golden Pathway" during the event. Martha is a warm and talented artist who's passion for art and life is evident to me even though I've only just met her.

Again, thank you to the Tug Hill Land Trust for having me and to all the great people and new friends I met.

Chad

Special Studio Work: "A View South"--- click here to bid

This 9"x12" studio painting is based on a 6"x8" field work by the same name. Nothing says Florida like palm trees and cumulous clouds. I loved the backroads and trails during my 7+ years in the sunshine state. I plan to revisit the area in the future with pochade in tow.

Treasured as a field study, I hope if you've spent any time in Florida you can smell that salty air in "A View South."

Chad

"Oriskany Heat"--- click here to purchase

This was a very warm muggy afternoon. I was with a student and we enjoyed setting up around Oriskany Creek. He chose the falls nearby but I found this view to be an interesting challenge. GREEN,GREEN,GREEN! The winding creek helped with perspective and the much needed warmer complement in this painting. Warms in the trees could've been pushed even further perhaps. What do you think?

Chad

Introduction

I am blessed with the opportunity to paint. I am blessed to experience the outdoors and then share it with you.

Here's to a long fulfilling adventure together.

Chad