Oil Painting:
Varnishing:
Working with Canvas:
'PEACEFUL CONNECTICUT VALLEY IN AUTUMN' by John O'Keefe
Composition & Materials
This was my fourth oil painting and first personal composition for an oil painting. Using pencil and paper, I roughed out this simple sketch. I decided to use a larger canvas size of 12x16. Up until this time I would select colors from a large tray of oil paints that I have in my studio. However, this painting was the first time I used a limited color pallet.
This was my fourth oil painting and first personal composition for an oil painting. Using pencil and paper, I roughed out this simple sketch. I decided to use a larger canvas size of 12x16. Up until this time I would select colors from a large tray of oil paints that I have in my studio. However, this painting was the first time I used a limited color pallet.
Sketched Composition
- Support:
Pre-Stretched & Mounted - Medium Textured Cotton Canvas - Acrylic Primed
- Size:
12 x 16 inch
- Medium:
Winsor & Newton 'WINTON' Student Grade Oil Paints
Ultramarine Blue, Viridian, Cadmium Yellow Deep, Titanium White, Raw Umber, Cadmium Red, and Lemon Yellow
- Finish:
Winsor & Newton Damar varnish
STEP-BY-STEP...
Day 1
Day 1 notes...
Using a medium sized brush I blocked in the sky, distant land features, near land features, and the initial layer of the dirt road.
Using a medium sized brush I blocked in the sky, distant land features, near land features, and the initial layer of the dirt road.
Day 2
Day 2 notes...
The painting had far to much blue so I began making changes to the sky colors, distant last features, and field. I blocked in, using raw umber, my hills to the left and right, and added details to the dirt road such as the wagon tracks. Finally I began to add lighting and shadows across the field and road.
The painting had far to much blue so I began making changes to the sky colors, distant last features, and field. I blocked in, using raw umber, my hills to the left and right, and added details to the dirt road such as the wagon tracks. Finally I began to add lighting and shadows across the field and road.
Day 3
Day 3 notes...
It was time to add the house and the smaller trees next to it. The house was positioned in front of a large field. The hills to the left and right were populated with small trees and shrubs.
It was time to add the house and the smaller trees next to it. The house was positioned in front of a large field. The hills to the left and right were populated with small trees and shrubs.
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TESTING THE TREES
I originally intended to add trees to this painting, however after the trial runs I was unsure about adding them. The final painting does not have trees. One day I may go back and add them when I feel more comfortable creating trees. 
Computer experimentation with trees 
Painted glass overlay with trees. |
Day 4
(Painting-'before' / Digital-'after')
Day 4 notes...
I changed the field beyond the house to a body of water. I also added light and shadow along the road. I envisioned the sun setting off in the distance, casting long shadows. I added the shoreline along the far side to make the water look believable.
However, after looking at this painting for a while I decided I was not pleased with the lighting along the sides. Using my computer, I played around with various lighting changes. I wanted to get the setting sun reflected in the foreground hills to the left and right. Here is my final concept with a 'before (day 4 painting) / after (day 4 digital edits)' image.
I changed the field beyond the house to a body of water. I also added light and shadow along the road. I envisioned the sun setting off in the distance, casting long shadows. I added the shoreline along the far side to make the water look believable.
However, after looking at this painting for a while I decided I was not pleased with the lighting along the sides. Using my computer, I played around with various lighting changes. I wanted to get the setting sun reflected in the foreground hills to the left and right. Here is my final concept with a 'before (day 4 painting) / after (day 4 digital edits)' image.
Day 5
Day 5 notes...
The 'after' changes from day 4 are incorporated into the painting and can be seen in this final picture.
The 'after' changes from day 4 are incorporated into the painting and can be seen in this final picture.
FINISHED PAINTING
"Peaceful Connecticut Valley in Autumn"
12 x 16 inch (30.5 x 40.6 cm)
Oil on Canvas
John O'Keefe
Spring 2007
© Copyright 2009, O'Keefe Arts. All Rights Reserved
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Website (www.okeefe-arts.com) by: John O'Keefe
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Website (www.okeefe-arts.com) by: John O'Keefe
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