Here are the next several images of the current picture in development.
Below I have worked up a darker sky and invented some clouds as there were none and the painting looked a little empty in the sky. The darker ultramarine and white sky makes the mountain stand out and gives me enough contrast to get the thing to light up.
I continued to work on the entire painting, trying to advance it as a whole rather than finishing one area ahead of the others, an approach called herding sheep, here is a post on that idea.The darkest darks in this photo are a little overstated, I was unable to correct them without compromising something else in the painting.
I drove through a range fire the other day, one side of the road was on fire, the smoke went hundreds of feet in the air. I had the air conditioning on and I could still fell the heat through the closed windows. Now I am sequestered in an undisclosed location stocked with havelinas, snakes and tarantulas. I am hoping not to see a mountain lion. I have been sleeping in a tent, enduring searing heat (getting in touch with my inner lizard) and getting great drying times.
I have limited access to the net, but I hope I can post again tomorrow.
Posts
29 comments:
Stay safe out there! This painting is looking fantastic! You're awesome, Stape!
You have the world at your feet right now. There is no better way to connect with your inner being.
Enjoy the journey.....and lay off the moxie....it can bring snakes into the campground...
This painting is coming along at a nice pace.
You're doing a cool trip Stape! That sky sings!
I had pet lizards years ago, they were cool too!
I'm guessing you are in Big Bend. You'd be lucky to see a mountain lion. I saw one cross the road once and a ranger said they had never seen one in ten years. There is a great Mexican restaurant, Tivo's in Study Butte if you are nearby.
Stape, get a good long stick - "pig poker"... yes, I know that javelina are peccaries, but I don't have to believe that.
Black widows are much more poisonous than rattle snakes BTW: You'll be fine though.
This painting is just gorgeous! We have 3 acres out that way in Silverbell estates. There's a nice community there, but it's 20 miles from anything and surrounded by national monument lands. A guy named Nathan Carey will give you water and perhaps breakfast if you're nice.
Tell him "Lori" sent you.
Seriously - hope you have a great time... love the painting...
Are you at Big Bend?
Or as we say in TX- where you at?
Herding sheep is perfect for nudging a painting. My plein air work started feeling like I was herding cats! I had to stop to re-evaluate what exactly was happening (or not). This makes me want to start location work again.
And Casa Grande Mtn is exactly the kind of scenery I paint. Desert mountains! There's nothing like them. Maybe that's why my plein airs turned into cat-herding exercises.
Lastly, regarding snakes: just be aware, and don't reach (or step) into any spot you can't clearly see. They really don't want anything to do with us, either.
Stape,
God seems to always been in the desert, so this could be a great spiritual experience for you.
The painting is looking great. Darkening the sky really did cause that mountain to pop. Good choice with adding the clouds. The desert skies are so bright and clear, making it hard to make interesting pictures. Excellent work.
Just remember, everything in the desert, flora and fauna, wants to hurt you or kill you. Don't go poking around, or looking under rocks.
All the best
Stay safe!
I also hope you don't see a mountain lion. If you do, maybe you can throw some turps at it.
lovely painting.
Love the sky!
This painting seems hugely difficult to me, I am impressed you worked it into shape.
Sometimes you can get a good wi fi signal from tall cacti or extremely dry tall grass.
What are you DOING out there? You seem to be out of your comfort zone. You ARE in your painting zone, though, very nice to see your pictures develop.
If you see a mountain lion, just remember not to run away. You will not be able to outrun it and fleeing things trigger their kill instinct. Try to look BIG and advance on it slowly with your arms up over your head. Also if you can just sprinkle some Moxie on it you will never be bothered again.
Beautifully painted!!
Moxie! Can't get that out there. Did you take enough?
Quote: "Now I am sequestered in an undisclosed location stocked with havelinas, snakes and tarantulas."
Well, sounds like you're well stocked!
Quote: "I have been sleeping in a tent..."
I'm jealous. My tent doesn't have wi fi.
Thanks for the western demo. Don't get burned!
Land;
I am safe and happy.
.................Stape
barbara;
Moxie actually repels snakes and most everything else.
.............Stape
bill;
If you can't make paintings here, you need to take up keeping tropical fish.
...............Stape
Don;
You guessed right.
.......Stape
Lori;
Javelinas are disgusting.
................Stape
Deborah;
Yes.
...............Stape
Suzann;
A skunk just walked up to me as I am writing. I told it SCOOT, it did.
...............Stape
Kyle;
It is all rather spikey.
............Stape
Stapeliad;
I intend to avoid the lions. If I see one i am going to puff up.
...............Stape
3stars:
Thanks. I think I have wi-fi worked out.
..............Stape
willek;
Yeah I know. I will puff up and yell the 93 psalm at the beast.
...............Stape
hmuxo ;
Thanks.
...............Stape
Marian;
I have run out and undergoing deMoxification.
................Stape
Jim;
I am already fried! A bad farmer tan. I look like I was assembled from multiracial segments.
............Stape
Post a Comment