"A Time for Us" (a.k.a. I sure wish I was there!)

We could all use a little peace and quiet in our lives.  Sometimes, it's my paintings that bring that feeling to my collectors who are busy, busy, busy!  

I painted "A Time for Us" after taking a walk at #CharlestowneLanding in #Charleston, SC.  The mood was serene and the water was calm, reflecting the beauty of the Spanish moss hanging from the live oak trees (for those of you that are not familiar with the term "live oak", it's actually the name of the tree and doesn't mean the opposite of dead oak, thank goodness!)

If you follow my blog, you know that I love to show work in progress whenever I remember to actually take pictures.  So here's the progress on this one.  The earlier images are bluish in cast...sorry about that.  I took them in fluorescent lighting and forgot to change the setting on my camera.

p.s.  those of you who know me and my style will recognize that I've used a lot of masking fluid again in this painting.

Here I've applied my first wash (or layer of paint) over my somewhat detailed sketch.

I've started adding paint to create negative shapes and to start defining the masses of shapes.  It gives me a blueprint so I can more easily determine what to do next.  Although these dark shapes look pretty darned dark on your computer screen, they're really only a middle value at this point.  The contrast of the camera was too strong.

More middle values being added.  Again, to help me determine what I need to do in the lighter areas.

Here it is in a yellower cast once I adjusted the White Balance in my camera.  It's still not "right on" in color, but much better than the bluer ones posted earlier.  

Here's the final result.  "A Time for Us" (watercolor, framed size 31" high x 41" wide) by Helen K. Beacham
(Note:  Professional image provided by Fine Art Reproductions in Charleston, SC)

(Who doesn't love adirondack chairs?)
My goal, in a scene like this, is to give the illusion of distance and perspective.
I accomplish that by showing:
1. overlapping objects (palm fronds in front of trees, trees in front of other trees...diminishing sizes)
2. by the use of color (warm tones in the foreground, cooler tones in the background),
3.  by subtle things like bigger brushstrokes for movement in the near water, as compared to almost no visible strokes in the water furthest away.
4.  Texture in the nearer trees.  None in the background.

Do you use other methods to show distance in a painting?

Come with me (Helen K. Beacham) and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...

Just 2 Oil Painting spots left in the workshop.

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Tippette #23 - Painting Spanish Moss

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).  One per day...during April...right here!  Tell a friend!

Painting Spanish Moss

One of you asked me how I tackle the subject of Spanish Moss.  That's a difficult question to "answer".  I thought that I'd show you some closeups of some of my paintings and maybe we could draw some conclusions from them.  So, here goes.  (Note:  The first 2 are on traditional paper.  The next 3 are on Yupo.)

So, what conclusions can we draw?
1.  I DON'T use gray (made from blacks) to paint moss.  I use color.  Refer to Saturday's post HERE where I talk about mixing pretty grays.
2.  Sometimes I leave the backlit portions of the moss as white.
3.  You have to be careful about how you paint the "top" of the moss.  I like to make it look like it's coming "out of" its environment.
4.  Show SOME branches in and amongst the moss.  It's more natural that way.
5.  Treat parts of the moss as a mass.  They're not all just long stringy things.  They have form and mass.

I hope that helps you to look at moss in a different way.  Do you have other tips for painting moss to share with us?

Come with Helen K. Beacham and Kelly Medford to paint Venice this October...

Two Spots Left!

click HERE for details!

www.helenKbeacham.com 

READ MY LATEST POST HERE.

Day 6

www.helenKbeacham.com

Mission:  30 paintings in 30 days
Focus:  Watercolor with pen and ink on Italian-made Fabriano 140# paper.

Today's scene could be anywhere in our beautiful Lowcountry, couldn't it?  The sounds around me were peaceful and unobtrusive.  I was the one doing the intruding.  

"Silver Veils" (watercolor with pen and ink) 4" x 6"  (Available)
  By Helen K. Beacham

www.helenKbeacham.com

To purchase (or view)  my whole collection of paintings in this 30-day project, click on:  ARTWORK

Please also enjoy the other 220+ artists' paintings by visiting LESLIE SAETA.

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Painter's Block? Not today!

www.helenKbeacham.com

Isn't it true that you always want what you can't have?  Today I want to be in the studio (but can't), so I guess I'm over my painter's block from yesterday!  Just for grins and giggles (and because so many of you loved my photo from yesterday), here's another shot of my quaint little town of Summerville!

Quaint Summerville, SC - Sumter Avenue

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Painter's Block?

I just came back from helping our son's family pack so that they can move here to Summerville, SC (so exciting!).

My body, however, got somewhat worn out, and with it my creative spirit.  I know the signs.  I just have to leave it alone for a few days and not force it.  I'll wake up one morning, refreshed and ready for the studio again.

One thing that always helps is taking a walk in this quaint historic town.  I truly do love the trees and the hanging moss...I "bookmarked" certain corners to revisit this afternoon when the light will be just right!  I feel myself coming around...!

Historic Summerville, SC - so quaint

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Oak Majesty VII

Here's another new painting, ready to hang at  Bernie Horton Gallery for Friday night's Art Walk in Charleston.    This is an acrylic and measures 16x20 (21x25 framed).  Although this tree reminds us of many Lowcountry locations, it happens to be at Drayton Hall where the trees proudly watch over the plantation.

"Oak Majesty VII" (acrylic 16x20) by Helen K. Beacham
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