The River

[halthepainter]

This was done for this month's Landscape Challenge. Alas it only slightly resembles the reference photo. Once I started the painting, the painting kind of took over and painted inself. I left out quite a few elements that I felt would be distractions.


Gray Pas and Senneliers on clear Gessoed, 8 b y 10 inch Masonite. The nice thing about clear gesso is that it leaves the masonite as a toned surface and the tooth is quite abrasive. In fact it was so abrasive, I didn't even try finger blending.

Suggestions for improvement welcome.

[Flycatcher10]

Hi Hal: This painting is my favorite of all your paintings ! This one needs a nice frame.

Your sky and cloud structure turned out nicely, as well as the tree and sky reflections in the water. I like the mood of the painting and hills in the distance. My favorite area are your trees - good definition and values, especially the redish/orange one.

[halthepainter]

Mary, thank you, you are most kind.

[paul444]

A lovely painting Hal.

[SammyH]

Nice, Hal. Nice sky and reflections in the water. You are getting really good with foliage - good color variations. I like your signature, single red tree.

[Pat Isaac]

Lovely scene, Hal. I agree the foliage is well done and I like the red tree. I especially like the serene mood.

Pat

[maryinasia]

beautiful and inviting

In fact it was so abrasive, I didn't even try finger blending.

ouch!

[PJjr]

Hal that's great. I love the underlying tone... is that the masonite you referred to?
Also how did you get it to paint itself? (Just kidding)

[halthepainter]

Hi PJ, no masonite showing through on this one. Often unless the scene is a landmark that needs to be accurate, I kinda let the landscape take me where it wants to go.

Mary yeah, it would have taken my fingers right to the bone. That abrasive surface really ate up the OPs.

Thank you Pat.

Sammy am I over doing the red tree.

Thank you Paul.

[SammyH]

No, Hal, you are not overdoing the red tree. I like it.

[TamaraB]

I really like your sky and the distant hillside - it feels like the painting has such depth to it.

To piggyback off of Mary's comment - I think my favorite of your work was the piece that you did with the chapel. I didn't get a chance to comment, but I really loved it. It was so peaceful.

[Flycatcher10]

Hey Hal: just an additional quick comment ~

I was examining your painting a second time and I just saw the building in your painting! Wow, excellent - it's painted in a perfect spot w/o taking attention from the main focus your red tree. Very cool - don't know how I missed it the first time.

Would you agree that maybe the pipe insulation might be a good alternative to blending and scrubbing in OPs, rather than your fingers? Just a thought LOL when I read your comments.

What is masonite and where would I purchase this as a support surface?

[raizes]

Nice one Hal. You got such a nice soft touch to your paintings. Foliage in the trees is perfect. My fav part is the area around the red tree.

[halthepainter]

Tam thank you twice, (You remembered the Chapel)

Rich thank you.

Mary you give me too much credit....building??? Probably just a spaz with one of my oil sticks.

Mary masonite (MDF, hardboard) is available at almost all hardward stores. It's definately available in all Lowes and Home Depots. Get the thinner sheets. Masonite can be quite heavy in large sizes. Some Home Depots will cut masonite to size. I usually get the larger sheets and cut them myself.

Also some of the online art stores (Jerrys, blick, ASW) will sell standard sized boards such as 16 by 20 inches. A light sanding and a coat or couple coats of gesso and you have a very strong, durable board to work on.

[VladK]

Hal, I repeat myself - great work