Hay Bales

Hay Bales, 9 x 12

And the color version.....I think doing this pushed my value contrast further in the end that if I hadn't done the study.

And my apologies that it's taken me a bit to report back on the Weekend with the Masters. I've been busy doing some technological housekeeping before I begin posting with Daily Painters Originals, and like any housekeeping, it takes time!!! But back to the Masters...

It was such fun to immerse myself in the art world for five days! I'm such a newcomer to all of it; no background in art--been painting for close to four years.....so it was such an education simply being with so many artists, the conversation, the panel discussions, the chance to meet so many artists I admire, and the opportunity to study with such fine teachers and alongside artists of every level. I felt like a child in a candy store! I took workshops with Frank Serrano, Camille Przewodeck, and Daniel Pinkham, not to mention the demo with Scott Christensen, and the many lectures I had the pleasure of attending.

So as of Friday I'll have work posted with DPO (if I've done my technological homework correctly). Visit the site. It's a great group and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

-julie davis

Grayscale Value Study 2

Grayscale Value Study 2, 9 x 12

As promised, here is another value study I did last week (this time in preparation for the color version). I was surprised at how much further (higher) I needed to push the ground plane value than my instincts told me. All a part of learning to see....

And the Weekend With the Masters was amazing! I can't wait to share what I learned and incorporate it. Just being immersed in the culture of the contemporary representational art world for a few days taught me more than I ever anticipated. More tomorrow--I hit the ground running today and will have time to write more then.

-julie davis

Early Light

Early Light, 6 x 8

Here's the color version of yesterday's post. Remember, I did this one outside, and went back and did the value study because I wanted to see the difference it would make in the range of values I used. I also corrected what I thought were some drawing issues in the second one. I think there is a more dramatic range in the black and white study--now if I'd just do it again in color!

Tomorrow I'm heading out to CA for the Weekend with the Masters workshop, so I won't be posting for a few days. I can't wait and will have much to cover when I return I'm sure.

On another happy note, I'm thrilled I've been asked to join the Daily Painters Originals group! I'll begin posting with them sometime after I return from my trip and can focus on that. Thanks to all the members of DPO for the warm welcome!

-julie davis

Value Study

Value Study, 9 x 12

My approach to this was backwards. I painted a full color version of this scene first, then realized that I hadn't pushed the values enough in it and decided to "go back" do a black and white value study to force myself to do push further. It made an impression on me. The tendency to hover in a few close values when painting in color just disappears when you're painting black and white--it clarifies the values like nothing else. Great exercise. Tomorrow's post will be the color version of this one (done pre-value study).

-julie davis

Oregon Vineyard

Oregon Vineyard, 6 x 8

This little piece is another of Weisinger's vineyards, but I used a bit more palette knife on this one than the other two. The owner, John Weisinger, sent us some photos yesterday of some bears that have been sneaking into the vineyards at night to eat the grapes. Smart bears.

-julie davis

Vineyard Barn

Vineyard Barn, 6 x 8

Another painting from my Oregon trip. As many barns do, this one houses all kinds of equipment for the vineyard and has been used for decades. When the light filters through the old boards, it's almost magical. Unfortunately, it was overcast for much of our visit, but it didn't diminish the fun.

-julie davis

Tempranillo, Weisinger's Winery

Tempranillo, Weisinger's Winery, 6 x 8

A Spanish variety, these Tempranillo grapes thrive in the Southern Oregon vineyard of Weisinger's of Ashland. Our family had the pleasure of traveling to Ashland in August, and visited family at the vineyard. I took many photos, and am finally getting around to working from them.

This painting was again a mix of brush and palette knife work--something I'm finding I really like.

-julie davis

Limes Value Study

Limes Value Study, 6 x 8

Today I spent several hours in the studio getting back into the swing of things. I began with this value study--it's probably something I should do more often--it's a great tool. Too often I'm so enchanted by the local color that I don't pay enough attention to getting the right values. I have my friend Laurel Daniel to thank for reminding me of the importance of these!

-julie davis

Hill Country Farm Study

Hill Country Farm Study, 6 x 8

I've been wanting to experiment with a brush / palette knife combination painting for a while, and finally did so today. The small size made it more of a challenge to use the knife, but I always end up getting more color on the canvas with it. I think it turned out to be an interesting little painting.

-julie davis

Driftwood View

Driftwood View, 6 x 8

When I took Skip Whitcomb's workshop last May, we watched him do a demo in the Driftwood area, and I took plenty of photos . This view of distant hills tucked between groups of oak trees is so common in this area, but I love it every time.

-julie davis

Low Country

Low Country, 6 x 8

On our way to Sedona this summer, my husband and I were caught in parking-lot traffic on the only interstate that ran from Phoenix north to Sedona. There had been a wreck, and we were stuck for several hours in roughly the same place near Anthem. So, naturally, I pulled out my sketchbook and camera and began to work. I had lots of time, and was really happy with the composition I came up with for the view we had of this river valley. This study is a very quick sketch of that pencil sketch, and I hope to paint it larger soon. I purposely kept it loose and let the Indian Red ground peek through.

-julie davis

Summer Sky

Summer Sky, 9 x 12

On Thursday, Plein Air Austin met to paint at a legendary local BBQ restaurant in Driftwood, Texas called The Salt Lick. The owners have a decent amount of beautiful property that surrounds the actual restaurant. We painted away from the food, but were definitely near enough to smell it, which made us exceedingly hungry by noon.

I chose this scene because of the sky, and the intense contrast it provided with the golden fields. The clouds were big and puffy, leading to some much-needed rain later in the evening.

-julie davis

Zilker Gardens

Zilker Gardens, 6 x 8

sold

This was my first painting back after three weeks.....Plein Air Austin met at Zilker Botanical Gardens last Thursday for a paint-out. Laurel Daniel and I found a (slightly?) cooler spot in the "Prehistoric Garden," near a small waterfall. This gorgeous plant was growing nearby--we didn't see any raptors, but a turtle did stroll confidently by us down this path.

-julie davis