Work in progress
Finished Painting
One of my goals for this year is to really focus on large, more dynamic paintings. By-the-way, I consider myself more a painter than an artist. So my latest piece, Grand Palm, 30" x 40" oil on canvas, is a painting I'm extremely proud of. First off, I had a concept in mind... a Palm tree looking up from the ground. I LOVE the design of palms, actually, I love the design of nature, but especially palms. And then there is the color! I mean, take a look next time. The color that nature provides just blows me away!
I began this painting with a value sketch, a simple pencil study. Which is the way I like to start each painting. I also use reference photos. In this case, I took a day and shot many Palm trees that I though would work. I took everything back to the studio and believe it or not, the very first tree I shot was the one I ended up using for reference.
Some people are always amazed that artists use photos for reference. But remember, my paintings are my interpretation of the photo. I choose to delete certain items that I think take away from the final painting. I may enhance other parts, re-arrange parts to make a better composition. I can't understand how anyone could ever compare photography to a painting. My opinion is that a good painting ALWAYS blows away a photograph.
Stay on the look out for my next painting. It's underway, an unbelievable composition of a forest. This one is 36" x 48" oil on canvas. It should be finished in time for Mt. Dora. I hope to see you there!
