Process

              

Ben and I head home from New York this week, and we are both a little sorry to go. While we miss home, our time here has given us valuable new experiences, as travel always does. We've both enjoyed making new routines and seeing life from a different perspective for a while. I predict that I will miss the rooftop more than I anticipate. It's been the ultimate outdoor studio for this subject matter--I can literally walk out the door and paint, only contending with a flight of stairs, no car, no hike, and no interruptions. I'll miss it. 

I thought I'd share about the various ways I begin a piece outdoors. Disclaimer: my process, like most, is in a constant state of evolution. I used to begin by "sketching" the composition and values with a dark paint and a small brush. For whatever reason, that doesn't do it for me anymore. I now sketch some thumbnails on paper, then begin the painting with a very light wash of Gamsol + a hue that compliments the subject matter and wipe away the light areas of my composition with a paper towel. I like the sculptural aspect of using my hands more directly on the panel and pulling away paint. Lots of "happy accidents" can happen during this time, hand strokes or ideas that I will keep in the final iteration of the piece. This method also gives me a good design sense, a Notan of sorts. Notan is a whole other post--but in short, it's a Japanese concept that explores the relationship of light and dark, and it is extremely helpful in understanding whether or not you've got a strong design.

Below is a piece I did on Thursday, before two of our daughters arrived for a weekend visit. This view is directly south of us, toward One World Trade Center. I began with a light wash of a violet. It's a little hard to see in these photos. The color doesn't matter to me that much--it gets completely covered--but I want something harmonious that sends me in the right direction for the overall composition. And I don't want the intensity to control me, so it's generally light--I can use this "armature" or not as I go.

Another few more examples (sorry for the formatting and photo quality--these are on-the-spot quick photos and I'm more focused on painting than getting a good photo when I take these):

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This one had such strong light and dark patterns that this is how I began the wash, and wiped away from there:

As you can see, this start has more of a Notan quality to it than any of the others. You can accomplish this with thumbnails and a sharpie in you sketchbook before you start painting. I sometimes do that in addition to my thumbnail sketches, but the more quickly I can get to painting when I'm outdoors, the better chance I have to capture the light in the momentary scene that inspired me.

Happy Halloween, by the way!

-julie davis

More than an "annual thing"

If you notice these things, it's apparent I've ignored my blog in favor of Instagram for the last long while. I apologize if that's been a issue, but encourage you to get on Instagram just for the art if you've been hesitant to move your attention to that platform. It's even more nimble and immediate than blogs, and you can visually devour art much more quickly!  (@juliedavisstudio is me)

That said, there is obviously a massive and receptive community for art in blogging, and there is more "meat on the bone" in this format. That's why I've chosen to also share this latest venture here, where I can write about it and share groups of photos to "journal" my time here. Even though after almost a year of absence I may be blogging to an audience of exactly one....!

First, you're noticing this isn't the Texas Hill Country, or Austin. Yes, it's New York. My husband and I leased a place in the city for two months this fall. Our daughters are in college and beyond, and my husband is fortunate enough to be able work wherever he is able to drag his laptop and cell phone, and I'm able to work wherever I can drag my easel, so this happened. And I've found my happy place here among the water towers on the rooftops of the city.

I typically begin by wiping away a very thin
mixture of paint and Gamsol into shapes.

Great skies, first sketch in the books.

This week I climbed to the rooftop of our place, and it was like a stairway to heaven for me. If these paintings aren't for you, ignore me for two months, because this is the direction I'll be taking while we're here. The roof is perfect for the introvert in me, because the only people around are on other rooftops, generally far away enough where they don't notice me. Don't get me wrong, I like people! Just while I'm painting, it's great if I don't feel on display, and I was really concerned about that for this New York stint. But up there, I'm alone, with endless viewpoints and subject matter and light alteration...it's fantastic. And I can run downstairs for lunch or a refill of coffee. I'm not sure I've ever painted in a more convenient setup, actually.

start #2

Pulled this shot from my insta-story.
Got a migraine mid-painting. When
I came back to finish, the light had
changed completely.

Sunset provided this wonderful, pink
 light, but it changed fast!

Finished this fourth study the next morning.
Fresh light, great skies.

Now I've got these four under my belt, I may move to individual 8 x 10 panels, to fit a little more information on each one. I can't wait to get back up there. Have a good week and a great weekend, and thanks for reading all the way to the end if you've made it this far. I'm planning on these blog posts being more than an "annual thing!"

-julie davis