Sea U Later

Sea U Later, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/28/2017

#28 of 30/30

A favorite spot to paint on Manasota Key, especially early in the morning (off season's best).  Only problem here... there are a line of garbage cans in front of these palms, ruins one of the best views in the area.  And I have complained.  Will paint them in next time to show what I mean.

Underpainted with thin oils and Gamsol.

Sea View

Sea View, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/27/2017

#27 of 30/30

Sketch of Megan which I changed completely, only the shirt remains the same, simply borrowed the pose.  

horrible underpainting

Second layer with color block in and adjustments 

Surf Collectors

Surf Collectors, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/26/2017

#26 0f 30/30

High key experiment.  Just when I think I have it figured out, it gets more difficult.  Thought I knew all the short cuts and tips, but this one wasn't easy.  Reached a point where I just had to stop.  

I like some things about it, maybe it's just 30 paintings in 30 days burnout.  And I've also kept up with studio commissions which I'll show later, so it's more than 30 paintings.

House's a wreck, yardwork and husband neglected, Shadow not groomed...  ack!

underpainting

Shell Seeker

Shell Seeker, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/25/2017

#25 of 30/30

This painting was inspired by the sparkling glow of the water bottle!  Doesn't take much to get my brush moving.  Also loved the red and blue outfit.  Worked from another wonderful, random, happy accident photo I snapped at the beach (really should spend more time there).

underpainting

Sandy Crew

Sandy Crew, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/24/2017

#24 of 30/30

Image inspired by a photo taken in Venice, Florida... there was no sand, just plenty of fountain spray.  Borrowed the figures and set them on a beach, mostly made up fantasy.  

Pleased with the light and color, especially the plastic toys.  The boy on the left painted himself!  Painting was done on a used panel, a recycled portrait.  

 Didn't like it much so turned it upside down.  Oil over acrylic is fine!

Drew compostion in oil thinned with Gamsol.

 Color block-in underpainting.   Could see something happening that I liked better than the portrait. 

Like a gardener, an artist can bury mistakes!

Splash Pail

Splash Pail, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/23/2017

#23 of 30/30

From an old photo that I've used as reference over and over, and every time the painting looks different.

Underpainting sketched on old seascape from a few years ago, which is why signature is upside down on bottom (had signed on top right).  

At this point in my 30 paintings in 30 days challenge... I want it over with and promise never to do it again!  What a long month!  But I will persist, "Self-discipline is everything," quote from art school professor that still rattles around in my brain.  Only 7 more to go......

I Sorry

I Sorry, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/22/2017

#22 of 30/30.

Crowded beaches are a great place to gather reference material.  While aiming my camera at some seagulls, this intimate little scene appeared at the edge of the photo, an accidental shot.  Loved the intense moment between Mom and boy.  He looked like he was saying, "I sorry" which is how children this young talk.  Bet he was getting a lecture about not throwing sand at his sister.

Attempted to paint fast while not over illustrating, leaving image blurry to suggest movement.  Let brushwork tell the story.  Simplified values to dark, medium, and light as much as possible.

underpainting

Sharon Painting

Sharon Painting, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/21/2017

#21 of 30/30.

 Sharon Yarbrough painting at Artists Acres a few weeks ago when it was so cold she had to wear fingerless gloves.  Always a rare treat to paint folks all bundled up in Florida!

Sharon has done a fabulous job leading our Peace River Painters plein air group!  Many thanks!  Not only is she a tremendous leader, kind person, and super organizer... but also a terrific artist.  Visit her website and check out Peace River Painters, too.  (Sister group of the Light Chasers)

Underpainting sketch on a panel I turned upside down... woman under beach umbrella reading a red book (Sharon's nose wasn't really that red)!  Painting was completed alla prima, wet into wet, all at once.   

Hold On!

Hold On!  6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/20/2017

#20 of 30/30.

Sometimes, when you least expect it something turns out great!  Didn't have much hope for this one but now I like it a lot.  

Almost turned the underpainting upside down to start another.  Hand too small, light and color unexciting.  After working on it for quite awhile... this is how it looked after scraping it off.

I think the magic happened when I added Naples Yellow Light.  

underpainting after many scraps

Painting's mysterious, takes skill, practice, and tons of luck.  The more we paint, the better our chances are for a winner!

Looking Back

Looking Back, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/19/2017

#19 of 30/30.

Another sketch from an old snapshot, this one taken by my daughter,  a classic photo that was impossible to improve on.  I prefer and most often insist on using my own photo reference, but sometimes, family photos are fair game!

Was captivated by the spinning position and outfit.  A little girl walking through an amusement park seemed in awe of the spectacle.  Changed her identity but kept the colorful clothes which I'm sure she picked out herself.

Underpainting

Light Catcher

Light Catcher, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/18/2017

#18 of 30/30.  

So far, the most difficult!  Almost gave up but there was something about it I couldn't let go.  

Figure position taken from old snapshot of Rachael.  Changed everything, even invented a new character.  There WERE sunspots though and that's what I wanted to paint.

First attempted to have figure on beach... did NOT work out.  Shady light of a garden worked best, after all, that's where the original pose happened.  In Brooklyn, in a cemetery...  Actually, it was a great place to go for a walk, lots of sculpture to check out in this famous, historic location, Greenpoint Cemetery where some of our ancestors reside.  Rachael was not impressed.

An early attempt...   Was going to call it Line in the Sand.

 Still not working here, but closer once I added garden and sunspots and adjusted proportions.

Wave Runner

Wave Runner, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/17/2017

#16 of 30/30.  

Another figurative study like the one I painted yesterday... those waves are challenging!  

Worked from a simple snapshot taken and changed the young woman' appearance to protect her privacy.  Even if I had asked her to pose there's no way she could have held this position, rough seas that day! 

Underpainting in red iron oxide and Gamsol.  Burnt sienna works just as well.  As with all of these 30/30 studies, underpainting was dry before working over.  But could also have been worked alla prima or all at once, wet into wet.  

Anything can be painted over if thick paint is used and the angle of the brush is more parallel to the surface than perpendicular.  I like stiff brushes such as Silver Briston which can scoop paint on thick almost like a palette knife.

Here's the color block-in stage of this and yesterday's post. Both painted at same time.

Raft Rider

Raft Rider, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/16/2017

#16 of 30/30.

Painting notes: 

Quick figurative sketch and an attempt to define the basic forms of waves and water.  Not easy, even with photo reference.  What is it about painting water that is so darn difficult?

 Kept values of the "whites" darker so the final splash notes would pop.  After all, white is never really white, even the brightest spots had a bit of lemon yellow added to mimic sunlight.

The underpainting, with basic design and color blocks arranged, was worked with transparent color. Resisted using white.   

For finishing layers, often used Naples yellow light instead of white to lighten colors, which helps avoid the dreaded "chalky" effect.  Found Naples yellow light useful for skin tones and for warmer water colors.  Used white to lighten background color, cool colors recede.

Color block-in stage of this and next post, Wave Rider.  Worked both at same time.

Fran Painting

Fran Painting, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/15/2017

#15 of 30/30.  Half way through 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.  Painful, but really glad I'm doing it.  If I were practicing a musical instrument, this time would HAVE to be done in order to improve or at least keep skill levels up.

Painting practice is the same as an athlete in training for a sport or a musician getting ready for a concert.  These small studies are practice for larger studio paintings.

Fran was painting early in the morning at Snook Haven in Venice, Florida with the Peace River Painters.  The light was spectacular!  Visually rearranged the composition to fit the signs in.  

Loved the term... SLOW DOWN NOW!  The bottom sign read Absolutely NO Dogs.  Johan absolutely obeyed this warning and kept Duke on the outside of this sign!

Underpainting with burnt sienna and ultramarine blue, leaving white of panel for lights.

Running Boy

Running Boy, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/14/2017

#14 of 30/30.  Painted this little guy many times from a snapshot.  Classic running pose!  

While I was taking photos of a Great Blue Heron standing on the beach, this boy and his accomplice rushed over and threw a handful of pebbles and shells at the bird.  HEY! I yelled and off they ran while I captured their escape with my camera.  Painting should be titled, Bad Boy!

Experimented again with minimal values and brush stokes and have learned a lot!  Most difficult was stopping... letting it be "unfinished... or unpolished."  I tend to render the heck out of things, past years as an illustrator coming through.

Underpainting.  Loved the ear color and the shorts which are the only things I left alone.  Thought back leg was too long here, so shortened it.

John's Shadow

John's Shadow, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/13/2017

#13 of 30/30.  At this point, it feels like it will never end!  I keep asking myself, WHY?  Why paint 30 paintings in 30 days?

- practice

-experimenting

-pushing technique

-color mixing

-getting myself to "paint faster, Stupid!"

-exploring new subjects and ideas, even though I'm sticking to figurative here

-remembering the benefits of past 30/30's by seeing how my work improves

-the "hitting your head with a hammer because it feels good when you stop" theory.

-starting New Year off right

-improving self-discipline

-because I'm painting and I just can't stop

Enough whining!  

John's Shadow was painted from an old snapshot taken somewhere near Wilmington, NC while we lived there briefly for one year (realized it was a mistake and missed Florida!).

Left color areas, especially apparent in the sand, as large simple blocks.  Tried to hold values to dark, light, and medium.

Photo reference of John and first layer below.  Painted yesterday's post of Beach Lady at the same time.  Mixed up color for both, skin, water, etc.  Mass production technique!

Beach Lady

Beach Lady, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/12/2017

#12 of 30/30.  Worked on two at once this morning, #12 and #13.  Mixed paint for both at same time.  Experimented with minimalism, used as few strokes as possible, simplified values and colors.  Fought the urge to tighten up and add more details.  It's amazing how little can tell the story.

First layer of Beach Lady, made a lot of changes.

Second layer of Beach Lady and second layer of #13 which I'll report on in next post.

Tourists

Tourists, 6x6"oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/11/2017

#11 of 30/30, past the one-third mark for a painting a day.  These are small, all 6x6" that I had started last month.  Not cheating, an experiment to let the image rest and age before finishing.  Often these small paintings are finished on the spot, this time approached it differently.  Experimentation is the name of the game here.  And meanwhile... also working on large, studio paintings which take weeks and months.  Phew!  Too much fun!

This painting of tourists is from a snapshot taken on an unusually cool Floridian day.  Wanted to show movement and impression of the strollers rather than a detailed study, afterall, I couldn't ask them to hold still and pose.  

Experimented with flat, silhouetted shapes using limited, muted colors and minimal brushstokes. Another backlit scene forcing the water to look brighter because the figures are darker.

Here's the first layer, or underpainting.  (I always tell my students..."It's only an underpainting until you decide it's finished. There can be layers and layers of underpaintings, so have no fear.  Push that paint around!"  Even John Singer Sargent worked with layers, saving the gorgeous, bravado brushwork for last that made it look so easy.

Sally Painting

Sally Painting, 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

1/10/2017

#10 of 30/30.  Painted with the Peace River Painters at Artists Acres in Englewood yesterday.  Was in the low 30's!  Great chance to capture folks bundled up while working.  It was so cold I thought no one would show up but the place was filled with happy painters!

This is Sally Smith Yoder working in watercolors.  She recently moved out of the area and was visiting for the day.  Miss her a lot and so glad to have had a chance to see her.

I only had a few minutes to paint, at least I got a start on the spot.  (Family emergency called me away but that turned out fine.)  Was able to finish this painting later from iPhone reference photo.

Burnt sienna sketch was all I got done on location... started background later.

There were orchids blooming from tree trunks!  The pink one in front of Sally glowed in the morning sun.  It's roots had grown into the grooves of the tree bark.  And reference shot of Sally with orchid.

Artists Acres is private property.... thank you Mary Tracy for letting our group paint on the grounds.