Saturday Painting Palooza Volume 339

Hello again painting fans.

This week I'll be continuing with the Sedona, Arizona painting.  The photo that I am using is seen in the photo directly below. I'll be using my usual acrylic paints on an 8x10 inch canvas.

When last seen, the painting appeared as it does in the photo directly below.

Since that time, I have continued to work on the painting.

I find that in painting these pieces over a period of weeks it usually takes a little time before I feel truly engaged in the process. That is, in starting a new painting I need a little time before it becomes truly interesting. Those first few sessions with a painting, while crucial for certain aspects, are often done without the interest/passion that will arise at a certain point in the painting process. At that point, I have a hard time turning away. I will find even small amounts of time to work on the current project. With this painting, the point came much earlier. You'll see that below.

I wasn't exactly sure how to proceed with this piece. But, as is sometimes the case, the painting directed its own progress. I added what seemed some rather garrish colors expecting to adjust them later on. Each time I did this the unexpected happened. I found that I liked the bright colors. I also found that they worked well together, and looked different on canvas (and better) than when emerging from their tubes. The pink of the buttes is one example. I thought of it as a starting point for the body color of the buttes but found that it worked well with adjacent blues just as it was. No adjustment needed.

And as more things worked I found myself spending more time with the painting. The result is a quantum leap since last time. Note that the buttes have a body color and highlights. The bushes in the foreground have also received highlights and shadow. The structures to the right have been revised. All of this happenend rather quickly and without the handwringing that sometimes accompanies the progress. I am pleased. It's not done but completion is not too far off.

The current state of the painting is seen in the photo directly below.

That's about it for now. Next week I'll have more progress to show you. See you then. As always, feel free to add photos of your own work in the comments section below.

Earlier paintings in this series can be seen here.