Dogwood and a Question about framing

[impressionist2]

Today was very windy - 30mph- so instead of setting up by the harbor, I painted in my front yard.

Staked down my EZ Go easel and used Larry's terrific ragin method. Used the same rag-sock- to wipe clean my brush after each pass and used no medium.

My neighbor's dogwood tree delights us each spring with it's beautiful flowers and when it sheds them we refer to it affectionately as the "Broccoli Tree". Sure looks like it.

I made a 4" x 5" frame to see the scene through and used an 8" x 10" canvas on coroplast.

Question on Framing: How do I secure the panel within the frame? I am used to using L tie downs with screws to secure stretched canvas, but have no idea how to secure a panel.

Btw, I read Larry's first article on "Roadside Masterpiece", which was very helpful. Also, that is a gorgeous painting, Larry. I plan to read every article, both yours and Dianes.

Now, does this need one more session or does the soft look it has right now mean it's time to stop. I can't decide.

Renee

[Wayne Gaudon]

the one bright patch of magenta or red purple looks a little out of place as it seems too bright a value, but the rest of the piece is just fine as it is.

[walden]

Stop! I think it's perfect-- and beautiful.

For framing I've seen these staple-gun sorts of things that shoot diamond-shaped metal doobies halfway into the frame, so that one point of the diamond is sticking out & flat, parallel with the back plane of the panel. I've never tried it, but when I get to framing I'm going to get one-- looks tidy & easy.

[Yax]

Very nice...bright and cheerful.

If you don't want to invest in a special staple gun, you can go to the hardware store and get these pointed staples for installing glass in the window frame. All you need is a screw driver and a small hammer and you can easily frame your picture. Yax

[impressionist2]

Wayne, Lisa and Yax, Thank you!

Wayne, I see what you mean about that one patch of magenta. I changed it last evening. Not the whole azalea bush! Just the one strong little blob of paint. Thanks.

Lis and Yax, As much as I dislike that diamond shaped nail thingy, I guess that's the strongest way to keep the panel in place. i was hoping there was a new improved version by now.

The problem with that is if you ever want to change the painting in the frame they're a pain to get out.

Renee

[impressionist2]

I usually consider a session three hours. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to knock off an hour. That's how long it takes me to complete an 8" x 10" plein air.

So, yesterday there were two hours in on this painting and I knew one more hour outside today would make me happier. I had to show my portrait to the client today, so I snuck in the hour just before I had to leave. Today's pests on the tree i was standing under, were the green 1 inch worms. :(

This is a warmer and much more finished version. Reminds me of the secret garden tour paintings I did a couple of years ago.

Renee

[CarlyHardy]

Impressionist....I really like the finished painting. I have a dogwood in my front yard that looks exactly like that! However I've never gotten up the nerve to try and paint all its intricate limbs! You did a great job with that. Like the way you toned the house in the background down somewhat and the warmth added to the foreground is awesome!

When I put a panel into a frame...I use a couple of wood pieces for blocks and glue them to the frame. They hold the panel in and are easy to remove if I decide to change the frame. You could just use a small screw and have them even more secure...but my glue has worked for years.
carly

[walden]

Ah yes, much as I like the first version, the second is even better! I like that sense of warmth. Is this one 8 x 10 also?

[impressionist2]

Lisa, That's the same painting, not a new one. I just put another hour in today, on the first version I posted yesterday. Yes, it's an 8" x 10" canvas piece, glued with elmers to a coroplast support. So far it's holding fine. I asked Ross Merrill, the curator of the National Art Gallery what his opinion of coroplast is and I will post it when I hear from him.

Carly, Where are you getting the wood blocks from? I like that idea. Are you using canvas depth frames? 1 inch deep? Are you using elmers wood glue? I love that glue. I use it for everything.

I posted this before but it's worth mentioning again. Last year I paid $40. for an 8" x 10" Larson Juhl frame. The framer gave me a special price, he said. I found frames, canvas depth, that look almost identical for less than $10. assembled. I order them from http://www.framesbymail.com

The wood frames are the ones I like the best. They will send you a free catalogue. They are perfect when they arrive.

Thanks for the compliments, Carly and Lisa and all.

Renee

PS: Carly, Other than the trunk of the tree I didn't paint any branches. I simply squinted and where I saw dark spots I placed a combo of thalo green/aliz. crimson mix. If it looks like branches then great. That value adjustment really made the dogwood flowers pop out. Value is everything- even more important than color, I think.

[walden]

Wow, it's such a big difference that it's hard to believe it's the same painting! Cool. :cool:

[Phyllis Rennie]

Lovely color harmony in the finished version, Renee. Good job.

[blondheim12]

The framing guns are the best investment you can make. I usemine constantly. They are very easy to use and easy to load. It is very quick. I highly recommend one. Most of the big art catalogue companies sell them. There are two kinds. One is with inflexible points that you can't reuse. I use the one with flexible points that can be used more than once. I believe mine is called the flexmaster gun. It i s green. Worth every penny.
Love,
Linda
http://pleinairflorida.org

[CarlyHardy]

I don't have a special source for my wood pieces....they are all over the basement floor after someone uses the scroll saw! I just keep them in a bucket under the table for other uses like blocking corners on tables that get wobbly, too!

The next time you're at the Home Depot check out the scraps under their cutting tables! Or stop by a building site and pick up some pieces! Just don't get under any ladders! or...you could just buy a couple feet of small quarter round mold...cut it into small pieces and use it.
carly

[impressionist2]

Lisa and Phyllis, Thank You!

Linda, That gun sounds very good and thanks also for the info about flexible points. Good to know.

Carly, First of all, I just viewed your painting in the park. I really like it and the blue looks like jewels. I enjoyed watching the file open and each section looks great.

I was in the park today also. Two hours too. Plus one more coming up tomorrow. I guess plein aire minds, think alike.

There's a lush section of Azaleas on a small hillside that I spotted the other day and before they all leave I decided to record them. It was gorgeous for the first hour and a half and then the temp. dropped ten degrees and the wind really kicked up.

I though about this forum on the way home. I love how we share our work with each other.

Renee

[walden]

Beautiful, Renee! You sure pack a big punch in a small canvas. :)

[impressionist2]

Lisa, Thank you.

I was back at my spot this afternoon and when I got there the town workmen had dug a hole right where I set up yesterday!!
So...........I moved back about four feet so I could keep the same view, and they apologized to me ( which I thought was Very nice of them) and told me they'd be out of my way in a few minutes. Wow. That's better than them telling me to get out of their way!!:D

One funny thing that happened was after I started painting and after only fifteen minutes had past, one of the workers walked up, looked at this painting and said, "Did you just get all that done today?":rolleyes: I explained there was already two hours in on it from yesterday!! Gee, I paint fast but that's crazy!


Anyway, one and a half more hours today and now its done. 9" x 12" and ready to frame as soon as it dries.

I just got the call today from the Gallery that carries my landscapes, for me to bring in some work for the "Local Color" show in August so I will be getting these ready for that show.

Renee

PS: So help me, that is the exact color of the door on that house. It's Bayview Drive in Northport and all the houses have a waterview, are victorian influenced and have really interesting colors.

[walden]

Interesting to compare how you brought out the sunlight with the work you did today-- it was there yesterday, but more subtle. (I opened up a separate browser window so I could flip back and forth and see what you did.) Thanks for posting-- this is just beautiful, and I learn a lot from seeing not only the finished work of more experienced artists, but a bit about how they got there.

[artbabe21]

Once again, most beautiful work Renee! I sure like the magenta
color in the background in the Dogwood painting, but softening it looks even better. I sure admire your brush work and colors that sing~ the Azaleas painting is gorgeous---they make a nice pair these two with similar feeling. Oh, to be outside painting!Sheesh, we have 5 inches of snow here!!!!!
Cathleen~:clap:

[impressionist2]

Lisa and Cathleen, Thank you. Today was a gorgeous day and I took my ten month old grandson over to the park to the swings, right by the azaleas. Good thing I finished up yesterday. The flowers were all drooping. It's the end of them. Caught them in the nick of time.

What a gorgeous day today was and there were five artists painting along the waters edge. Chatted with the instructor, a very good local PSA, Lori Turner. Talked to her about forming a plein aire society ( or at least a small group!). She was interested.

Cathleen, I comisserate with you. I am So happy to see the spring and the warm breeze today made me glad to be alive on such a glorious spring day.

Renee