Head in the Clouds

untitled study

9 x 12 in., oil on panel

You may already know I've been on a cloud kick for the past couple of weeks. The study above was Wednesday's effort. I'm a little ashamed I didn't jump into this long ago like I did when I studied trees for a solid year, but better late than never! It's been surprising to me how much I'm enjoying it and how much I've learned by reading and studying color and painting clouds from the balcony view of my 'studio in the sky.' Now I find as much inspiration in painting clouds as much as I do trees - like trees, they each have their own shape and color, and are constantly evolving, only much more quickly! 

I hope to be offering a few 6 x 8 in. cloud studies for sale here in the coming weeks, as the larger ones will be part of a series that is still 'evolving!' Have a good weekend!

-julie davis

*if you haven't yet, and are inclined, sign up for my newsletter here. The fall issue will be coming out September 1.

The Value of Color Studies

I first began to create color studies on a regular basis after a workshop given by Jill Carver in Texas in 2015. I'd done them before, but never in the lightning-quick manner Jill had us doing them, and never as my primary means of gathering information outdoors. Jill opened an entirely new practice to me that week, and I owe her a debt of gratitude. Because I often sell my 6 x 8 studies on this blog, I'd always felt decent pressure to make even my studies excellent. Attempting perfection, needless to say, isn't the most productive way to "study."

Above are some studies I completed this morning in my studio using sketches I did outdoors and photo references I took while on site. Notice they're all on one board, which was divided into four sections with painter's tape while I painted (the color difference under the tape is due to the panel I used being an old one that was half-toned). This way I can't sell them--the pressure is gone. (It's certainly possible that I could cut them apart later if one is so amazing I just have to post it for sale).  :)

Below are some quick (like stream-of consciousness-quick) thoughts on the value of doing these studies. Color studies are:

*A natural bridge between a thumbnail sketch and starting a refined, finished painting

*A great way to gather lots of information outdoors in a short time (perfect for times when you're painting outside and the light or weather is changing rapidly)

*Practice for mixing the colors you'll eventually use in the larger painting

*A simple, fast way to get accurate color notes when painting en plein air

*An efficient way to "brainstorm" in paint time-wise and space-wise. Set time limits on yourself (no more than 30 minutes to an hour on each). Also, you can easily get four or six on one panel.

*A way to affirm that you're being productive when all else fails!

*A tool for trying various compositions if you can't decide based on thumbnail sketches

*A good way to stay loose and produce the painterly look that you might want to use in your larger painting

*A great exercise in painting quickly if you're trying to get faster

*Perfect for painting a scene you're in love with but only had time for a sketch and a quick photo (like the amazing scene you discovered after you packed up and were heading to your car, or the one you got a photo of while with your family and had only your phone and sketchbook in hand).

*Freedom to relax--you're not aiming for a finished painting, but the bonus is that sometimes you get one!

Color studies work out the kinks, let you know if your idea has the potential to translate into a successful painting, and keep you at ease while accomplishing both. 

-julie davis

Hill Country Cold Front

Hill Country Cold Front

8 x 6 in., oil on panel

sold

This piece came from a venture out to Wenmoh's Ranch in Cypress Mill, Texas last fall. Though the cold front came through right as we arrived to paint, we were able to brave it for long enough to get several short studies in before we succumbed (I think temps went from 70F to roughly 45F for all you tougher souls from up North). I painted this piece this week from one of those studies.

-julie davis 

View from the Hill

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Earlier this fall I painted with Plein Air Austin just outside of Austin on some land near the Salt Lick (a relative barbecue institution around here). I came away from the paint-out with several studies, and this piece was derived from one of those 30 minute studies. 

For those of you in Austin for any time over the holidays, Davis Gallery is up and running with its annual Holiday Show. I dropped several new pieces by the gallery last week for it, and Bill, Jen, and crew there have been hard at work hanging everything to have it all ready this week. The show is open now through January 9. Stop by if you get the chance!

Lastly, I'm officially on Instagram now: @juliedavisstudio--give it a look:)

-julie davis

35th Street

35th Street

8 x 6 in., oil on panel

sold

35th is the nearest major street to my house--the one I travel down multiple times most days.  Camp Mabry, a National Guard headquarters, is on the left in this piece, so there are acres of undeveloped land along 35th.  That land always makes it tempting for me to snap a shot when the sky is beautiful and the sun is just right....yes, I admit to being guilty of snapping this photo while driving. I promise never to do it again. But this sky was too hard to resist.

-julie davis

Cloudcover

Cloudcover

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

I struggled with this little piece a bit.  It's a seemingly simple scene, but my sometimes things flow and sometimes they stumble along.  Interruptions like phone calls, lack of singular focus at the start, having to leave for carpool and return to finish….hmmm…I wonder why…. Despite these conditions (under which I know better than to try to paint),  I like the result of my efforts. I do hope the next comes off more smoothly, however, because I really love scenes like this.

-julie davis

Cloud Study 1

Cloud Study 1

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

sold

Lately I've wanted to study clouds...this looking-straight-up view was the result of many photos I took last month that have been in my studio waiting for me.  I had fun with this--don't know where it will lead, but I plan to do more.  I want to become as confident about painting clouds as I am about trees.

-julie davis

Winding Creek

Winding Creek, 6 x 8

sold

I love the grasses around here in the fall. They're full and wheat-colored and move with the breeze.

I'm busily preparing for a three-woman show that opens Dec. 1 here in Austin at Wendow Fine Living. I've got everything ready to frame and will work on that this week....then must be ready for Thanksgiving, as my husband and I are hosting his family this year. Gotta finish!

(If you're in Austin on Dec. 1, please stop by from 6-9. Wendow is located at 1512 W. 35th St. Cutoff). I'd love to see you!

-julie davis

Summer Afternoon Rain

Summer Afternoon Rain, 9 x 12

Today's post is one I've been wanting to paint since some of us traveled to Bryan, Texas last summer for a Plein Air Austin event. We stopped at Lake Somerville, and I painted another scene that day, while everyone else painted this view. I took reference photos, and just gathered the courage to give it a shot.

FYI, the palette knife touches I'm using in these last few pieces seems busier on the computer screen than it does in person--something I'm beginning to notice and am not sure how to correct, except to put it out there.

-julie davis