Stage 4 - 2/3rds done

Painting Progress Stage 4 - I would say I am about 2/3rds done now. I have the water where I want it to be. The Background trees behind the waterfall are done. I will add more shadows to the water in the waterfall. I need to add some highlight to the rocks on the sun side of the upper right corner of the painting. Have to add some Aldersl on the upper Left Rocks, then work in the Big Fir Tree. Will save the bottom left corner for last. After that is in I will evaluate what I have and consider any last minute changes and touch ups. If you want to see the prior versions as this painting progressed see the past posts to this blog.

My working Title for this piece is "Reading in Solitude", that may change also. Again all comments and critiques are welcome.

Eric Deeter RIP

The Piano Teacher by Eric Deeter - Eric was lost to us on 9-17-2009.
My friend, fellow artist was killed in a auto accident last Thursday. Eric was a great man, father, husband and friend.
The Piano Teacher is one of my favorite paintings of Eric's. We did a show together in July, "The Alaska Plein Air Painters Show", had a great pot luck dinner after, Eric blessed us with his music that evening jamming on the Piano with John Kalter and Donny Kolstad on quitars. Eric had so much talent it was amazing. This kind humble man will be missed terribly, RIP my friend.

Fall Pallet Of Alaska

ALASKAS FALL PALLET OF COLOR -

Color is changing in Alaska, as fall starts to make itself felt here. So I load my plein air easel, with Naples Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Cad Yellow, Indian Yellow, Cad Red Light, Aliz Crimson, Indian Red, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Sap Green, Azo Green, Ultramarine Blue, Paynes Grey, White and Ivory Black.

Will be heading out this weekend to paint the color of Alaska. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Painting Process Step 2

Step 2 Painting Process - The Undercoat Layer
I use a thin wash of Alkyd Paint ( a fast drying paint - dries in 12 hours ) to wash in the compostion over the pencil sketch. Then using a thicker layer of Alkyd paint I begin to block in the painting, just keeping lights and darks in mind. I am not trying to define the painting at all, just want it to be very loose and blocky. I will let this sit for a day, go back and evaluate the compostion, color, lights and darks, and figure out where I want my central point of interest. This is the stage where I can make major changes, and add or delete items in the painting. Alkyds have a very Matt apperance when they dry, when I add the oils the glossy appearance I like will take over. I will next start the begining of laying in Traditional Oils over top of the undercoat.