Rock Bridge with rocks below

While the rest of the US gets snow, we finally at least got some rain.  The poor NE is still getting snow bombed.  So, I decided to do a painting without snow. 

I did this painting on a 16 X 20 stretched canvas.  I wish I would have had more canvas left at the bottom to show off the water more,....but.... I first painted the canvas with black gesso and let that dry.  Next, I painted in the sky colors, trees, then lavender-grey rocks, then burnt umber shadow rocks, then burnt sierra on the top of these burnt umber rocks.  So basically I just painted the scene without drawing any of it on the canvas.  I hope that makes sense.  I did use the picture and some of the color suggestions from a Robert Warren's Guide to Painting Water Scenes.  As a matter of fact, some of my other paintings have been based on other Robert Warren picture scenes. 

I've noticed something while painting.  I'm ok in the beginning and middle of painting,...but, when I get down to painting at the end stages, I get restless and agitated and don't want to do what is necessary to make the painting finish out nicely.  For example, in this painting, I quit before making the water pretty and doing some color adding to some of the rocks.  I've noticed this inability to stay focused and finish out the painting before on some other paintings I've done; so, It's not just this one painting or anything rescent...it's just me. 

Hang in there,
Amy

Birch Trees By The Lakeside

I painted this picture yesterday from a Wilson Bickford DVD.  I save my Wilson Bickford DVDs & Packets for special occasions like this.  They give me great joy.   

I'm not sure what to paint next; but, I'm ready to paint some more. 

I still need to look through some images and decide on one to paint.  Something will come to mind soon, I hope. 

Amy

Ending of 2010, & Beginning of 2011 that will be an "awesome" year

I haven't posted on here in quite some time and I do appologize for that.  I took a break from painting, but, now I'm back at it again.  

Today, I finished up a little snow scene by some water.   I painted this 11" X 14" snow scene at home on a stretched canvas.   This snow scene is from a Robert Warren's Guide to Painting Water Scenes.

I think I'd really like to see some snow to get a better feel for it. 

Next is a Christmas painting.   I painted this with the help of Diana and it is on a 16" X 20" stretched canvas.  On this one, the canvas was painted black, except for where the candle & the poinsetta were. 

Finally, a coastal water scene.  This painting has vibrant, strong colors in it & I'm glad that I was able to paint it,...--with Diana's help. 

This is another painting I worked on at home.   It also can be found in Robert Warren's above mentioned book.  I kinda like it.  I do wish that the boats were in a slightly different spot, not right up against the shadow line.  But, I learned. 

I feel like I've painted more, but, I haven't.  I just went and looked to make sure.  Now that the little snow scene is done, I'm ready for another painting at home.  However, I'm not real sure what I will paint next.  

Well,... I'm off to check out other's blogs and hopefully I will get to see some awesome paintings.  "Awesome" is my word for the year, 2011.  Hopefully, this year will be full of positive thoughts and many "awesome" paintings by everyone.  
Amy