Conservancy - Bush in Winter

My in-house critic thinks the far ground is too vague. He wants some details or punch of some sort. Not sure I agree. Coincidentally, today I was ready to add some low brush texture, which I think may address the critique.

Conservancy/ Bush in Winter

Spent significant time today concentrating on values in the snow and the bush branches.

Conservancy/ Bush in Winter

For the last 2 months I've been in Europe filling my eyes and brain with amazing art from the medieval marvels of the Thyssen in Madrid, to The Last Supper in Milan and The Night Watch in Amsterdam. It's a humbling experience to see such pieces and then return to the studio. But return I have. The last two days I've worked on the bush in winter adding light and shadow to the snow. The bush itself is roughed in, too. I'm trying some complementary color to pop the bush.

Judith Klein Gallery

I will be showing these two pieces at The Judith Klein Gallery in New Bedford, Mass.

Conservancy - Bush in Winter

Been spending most of my studio time in the cellar learning to use a new miter saw. It is a great improvement over the older model we had. Cuts smoothly and quietly. Has a laser light. Is compound and slides. I've made some frames with good results.

So after almost 3 weeks, today I did take a quick look at the 2nd in the Bush series, winter. I put in some distant trees, considering color and value. I have been working on some small gold leaf on wood paintings for a show in February. The Judith Klein Gallery in New Bedford is taking one or two paintings on the theme of love. More on that tomorrow.

Conservancy/ Bush in Winter

Now that I have seen the way the bush will fill the board, I am beginning with the far ground color and a base for the near ground. Hey! Maybe I could be an abstract painter. LOL

Conservancy/ Bush in Winter

Now that we are in the deep of winter and the snow has begun to accumulate, I have revisited the idea of painting the Conservancy Bush in 4 seasons. I had envisioned all of the bare branches dressed in snow and ice. This has not happened (yet). What surprised me was the bright yellow of the branches. But most of the bush is lost in the tangle of background growth. As a result, I have decided to bring the view up much closer and have the base of the bush fill the frame. This might actually make for a more interesting series. Rather than a duplicate of the point of view, a change in composition as well as a change in the season will be the approach. On the left is a sketch of the proposed work. On the right is the painting, oil on board, 40" x 30", with a rough layout of the bush.