Orange + Yellow + Blue = A Golf Course

Squeeze out a limited palette and things really do get less complicated!  I know it sounds counter-intuitive but less is always more.  So with a glob of Yellow, Orange and Blue I tackled a golf scene.

I made a watercolor sketch from a photo I took last summer (forgot to get a photo of the sketch) and then decided to use a square format for the painting.  On canvas I made a charcoal sketch and smeared matt medium over that for a permanent two value drawing.

16 x 16 stretched canvas

With a palette knife I began laying in color and texture.  One of the challenges is mixing the range of colors/tones needed utilizing only three ingredients.  But once I start it really gets fun.  Painting with a knife is like icing a cake: be very mindful of layering.  Can't put the fancy lettering on top til the surface is completely covered!

This is as far as I go before stepping aside to let the surface "tacky up" a bit.  When the paint is too thick or gooey it just won't accept any more layers.  An overnight rest will firm it up some providing a skin on top.  This "step back" time is also important for resting the eyes and seeing what needs to be done next.

And here is another pass.  You can see the trees shaping up some and a little more contour in the fairway and the green.  What you don't see yet is the flag pole marking the hole...it has to be last, kind of a reward for finishing.  It also would get in the way of making other corrections and why paint it more than once?

I'm not certain what I will add (or subtract) for the final version...I like to let pieces marinate before I call them done.  But I do love the harmony that is a natural result from letting all the colors come from the same dish....too many tubes of paint on the canvas is like too many desserts...your eye gets distracted and overwhelmed by the choices.  So it will sit and I will contemplate.

And that is how you make a golf course with three colors!

ColorFULLY Yours,

Cindy

#25 Uncapped the Paint

I think the muse was not finished with the fountain in Eola Park yet...because when I discovered I could get some of the tops off the acrylic paints it was the park I rushed in to paint.  With palette knife!

 You may not recognize this if you are not an artist...it is a palette knife and comes in many shapes and sizes and is used in place of a brush.  Why I thought it would be easier to work with than a brush is beyond me...it is sort of like icing a cake with the paint being the frosting; only you are going to use several colors of frosting and attempt to get a recognizable subject onto the canvas.

Eola Park Part II

8" x 10" acrylic on canvas

$30.00 plus shipping

It began as a very high key painting (meaning the darkest darks were relatively light) but I kept feeling at loose ends without some grounding deep colors...I think I am discovering that I really enjoy the lower keyed work where the lush darkcolors guide you around the composition.  It was not full sun when I did the photo so I will try another and see if the colors emerge better.  This 30 in 30 challenge makes for tight deadlines and the light outside doesn't hang around to help me out.  Oh, and yes, for this month I will include the 8 x 10 canvas in my $30.00 special.  It is a standard size so it should be a cinch to find a ready-made frame for it.

Here are a couple more shots of the work in progress.  It was wonderful to be back in touch with the paint and I didn't even mind the fact that when finished I was wearing quite a bit of it!

my set up as I begin to work...I took my composition from several different photos of the park

detail of the fountain; palette knife usually results in quite a bit of texture and I even found an old toothbrush to add a few more spatters for the water spray....I want you to feel like you may get wet if you stand too close!

to purchase: contact art@cindymichaud.com or check my etsy store here