Leaves are making shapes

It's hard to see the difference from the photo in the blog on 11/4. But those leaves are in much better shape now including cast-shadow part. I still need to sharpen edges on the right side. But now I can apply thicker layers with closer colors to the final layers.

Since I applied and accepted by Parklane Gallery in Kirkland, I need to produce more paintings monthly basis. So I spent good time this weekend and worked on this in wet-in-wet manner, which I think the key to finish quicker. The outcome would be quite different compaired to my normal way, glazing or scambling over dried layers, though. I even touched Sauvie Sky as well.

Defining Foreground Greens

  

I haven't touched this piece a while. Tonight I tried defining the foreground greens value- and color-wise. They're a little too dark if you consider lots of summer lights in late morning. I'll reduce values when I add more layers on to them.

Plein Air along SR-10

Saturday night I stayed at Timber Lodge Inn in Cle Elum and drove out Sunday morning for painting along SR-10. I drove back and forth on the hwy then ended up setting up my easel where I can look down the steep slope to the bottom at the river level. I particularly impressed by the vertical line the edge of the trees created. Although I'm not satisfied with the color of the light yellow ground, I liked the way I finished those trees. The purplish brush was added at the last minutes. It could make it a little less purple.

Still working on edges of leaves

Although I don't like doing this, I had to make those edges of leaves sharper. One reason is I couldn't decide or make desirable color combinations for leaves. If I found the perfect formula for the colors, this painting would be attractive enough without sharp edges, which I can't find.

The background shade doesn't need sharp edges obviously. Then I should be able to enjoy putting subtle difference in values.

Canvas Holder is done

The canvas holder part is done. It's relatively light weight at the same time it's solid. I'll put two screws through the top piece and the bottom bar to bite on a stretched canvas.

Next, I'm going to design the folding palette box. The mechanism to attach to the tripod would be a copy (probably patented) from a field easel I saw at an art shop in Portland, OR. I might need to give another visit to Portland to see it again since I don't seem to be able to find the same kind in major art shops in Seattle.

Canvas Holder is getting in shape

Assembling those vertical and horizontal pieces together into a canvas holder frame. After the glue dried up I'll put some screws in place to make it stronger. Only one more piece to attach is another horizontal bar for the binocular clamp to bite on. It needs to be much thicker than the other part.

Contour Drawing...

I knew I had to do this some point. I guess that's why I didn't touch this piece quite a while. It's not so fun but I needed to define contour of leaves. Otherwise the focal points would never be defined. That's why I don't like painting flowers.
After I finish this part, I can putting more colors on this painting, which is much enjoyable.