Wednesday, March 28, 2007

"A Farm Home In Spring" 10"x 12" Oil/Panel

It is early spring in my part of the world . Snow has disappeared from the scene leaving behind only the remembrance of its winter existence.

It seems to me that it is at this time of the year when all seems to stand still. It is a time of waiting, waiting for the fresh greens of the grasses, the lemon greens of the new buds on the trees and the warming of the longer days. Perhaps it is just my impatience for the fresh experiences of painting from life that spring promises.

In the painting, 'A Farm Home In Spring' , my impatience shows. I have taken artistic liberty with the subject and added what I feel is a later spring theme. Heavier buds have been added to the branches of the trees, the browns in the early spring grasses give way to the fresher "young" greens of later spring. The overall warmth of the atmosphere has been heightened. And of course, what would a spring painting be without the addition of spring flowers ?

The painting support was a masonite panel coated with three applications of gesso. The gesso was applied with a well worn house painter's brush. The old brush with the gesso left a rough texture on the surface of the panel as each preceding application dried. This surface was not sanded prior to tinting.

The colours (palette) for this painting were, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alizarin, Cadmium Red Med. Cadmium Yellow Med, Cadmium Lemon Yellow and Titanium White. After the initial "wash in" of the subject was applied, very little or no medium was used in the rest of the painting.

If there is a lesson here, it is that you have complete control over your painting. You determine its direction or future. You are the artist !

'til next.

12 comments:

rob ijbema said...

another great little painting,Frank
despite your comments and impatience,i can still sense that very early spring feeling,cos here in Wales it is full spring!
it won't be long mate!

Michael Pieczonka said...

Saw this gem on the WC.. and think tell ya it's very nice here as well. I love the low horizon.

Ed Terpening said...

This painting has such great personality. I had painting architecture because I get too focused on lines, perspective. Your architecture breathes!

BTW, how is your art sold? Do you sell direct?

Anonymous said...

Hi Frank
let´s see wether blogger lets me comment today ?:).
It´s amazing to see you robbing forward step by step..
I like the free brush work and the variations of greys and blues in this one...

Wyn Easton said...

Looks like Spring to me.
It's 30 degrees in Raleigh.
I need to add warmth myself.

Bye for now.

Frank A. said...

Hi Rob..
Thanks, Rob... glad to see that you are "flippin'" paint in the spring of Wales. :-)

Can't wait for the mosquitoes to show up here... (not):-)

Frank A. said...

Hi Mike.

Glad that you like it. :-) Thanks for "poppin' in.

Frank A. said...

Hi Ed.. Sorry to be getting back to you at such a late date.
Thanks for your comment and compliment.
Presently, my work is sold through a local gallery. I have not sold my work directly in the past as I felt that this would be in conflict with the gallery sysyem.
But.. as time goes by, an on line method would be a possible consideration. It seems to be "the times". :-)
Take care..

Frank A. said...

Thank you Martin. Your comments are encouraging.
Sorry to hear that you are having trouble with blogger and being able to answer.
Hope all is well with your work.

"til next.

Frank A. said...

Thanks Wyn. Good to hear from you. Your work is growing by leaps and bounds,IMHO. Nice to see that..:-)

Take care..

Stefan Nuetzel said...

Another fine painting with your vivid brushwork and you have captured the light so well.

Frank A. said...

Stefan,thanks! Appreciate it..:-)

...Had good fun looking at your blog and web site. Nice stuff ! I liked the pics of you painting in the museum.

Take care..