Reading my thoughts....

They're red all over....

This is a block in for a painting of a sunrise at Old Faithful that I started today. I did a lot of plein air painting in the Old Faithful area this year and have a new appreciation for it all. I was lucky enough to hit some GORGEOUS times there to paint - moonrise, sunrise, sunset, huge eruptions - it was spectacular. So now I'm starting some larger studio paintings from all that inspiration. And this is how I begin.

I chose to start this one with a red block in, for the glorious sunrise colors I plan to use later. I don't always start with a red underpainting. Actually, I go with the theory - that there isn't a theory! I like to tackle each painting as a unique work - no formulas, please. But I thought you may find it interesting to see 'what's under there' - how I started this one off.

Right now, I don't have much down. But this is my 'thought process' in action. Here is where my thinking takes place....
Where will my lightest lights be?
Where will I place my darkest darks?
What are the major shapes within the painting?
How will the shapes be placed and relate to each other?
What feeling needs to dominate the painting and how am I going to do that?
Do I see any 'problem areas'?
Should I use an underpainting and what color?

In my mind, all those answers and more are in there. But it might be hard to read for anyone else.

I'll keep you posted as the painting progresses. And as I begin the others I have planned. It's my favorite time of year for studio painting. So I'm hoping to be at the easel a lot.

My visitor today - passing by my studio windows while I was at the easel....

 

Our Yellowstone Zoo

I saw him coming, so I grabbed my camera just as he was landing in the juniper tree.

He stayed in the tree for awhile looking for fish in the Yellowstone River...

And then went on his way ...

One of my favorite things about our property, is getting to watch birds from ABOVE over the river.

Happy 12 -12 -12!