Big Creek Bend, 2008
oil on canvas, 24"x36"
I had selected this image, or one similar to it, from a group of photos I took at Big Creek up in the Smokies. I wanted to elongate the image to give a view to a turn in the creek so I sketched it out and even did a small watercolor sketch to decide on the composition. This is the charcoal sketch on the canvas before I started laying any paint down.
I started this one by filling in some areas with paint to get an idea of the values and how I would control the light.
Next I began in the deepest space, down the creek. It surprised me how well it went and how much more finished the painting was than it usually is in the early stages. I didn't change much of the paint there for the rest of the process.
I moved closer and closer following the creek. It was a nice way to paint water, moving as the creek moved, flowing over rocks and from a light area behind to a darker area up closer.
I started on the trees in the middle ground next. They would be the backdrop for the action in the center of the image. a basic yellow green going toward darkness underneath and some tree trunks for me to fill in around later.
Sometimes when I paint on a light colored canvas I create thick dark lines around my objects. It is a technique I often use in oil pastels and helps me work the paint much like if I had a dark canvas. It surrounds the objects so that I can push the paint toward the dark line on either side, and helps me make more Natural decisions about the light.
I had a good session with the rocks in the middle area. Starting with dark I gradually build the rocks up with lighter shades of paint until they are finished. Usually it takes another few tries with highlights and shadows to create the high contrasts I like so much. The trees are also getting some movement started.
The leaves of the trees are started to take shape. I am also working the water and making some progress on highlights.
Now the rocks are getting close. The highlights are better and the water is going through some of its many changes. I saved the water for last because it flows around all of the other objects and will tie the whole picture together.
Various higlights and spots here and there finished the painting off, along with a lot of work on the water.
