Monday, March 1, 2010

Evening Tree Sketch


Evening Tree Sketch, 16 x 12
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(Back to the Davis Mountains paintings...)
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This whimsical tree was just dancing on the hillside as the sun lowered in the sky, but I had too large a canvas and only enough time for a quick sketch. Details gave way to simplicity and the bare essentials; a "good" lesson forced on me by the unforgiving, retreating sun. It was pitch black out when I packed up. I am pretty sure I left a brush or two behind. :)

17 comments:

Catherine Jeffrey said...

The simplicity really works here. This is such a strong composition with vivid colors and one has such a sense of the time and place. I love it! Maybe time constraints are a good thing...even in the studio :)

JohanneMorinFineArt said...

Simply LOVELY! :)

Linda Popple said...

This is a lovely painting! The shape of the tree, the colors, the composition all work together to make this a beautiful plein air painting. Details certainly aren't missed here. What a great job as light dwindles!

silentwitness said...

Wow, what a gorgeous painting, Laurel. You always seem to know which details to omit and which ones to emphasize. The spaces between your branches are so amazingly well considered. Bravo!!!

RUDHI RĂ¼scher said...

A perfect natural painting to me!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

This one really calls to me. The tree is a thing of beauty. Simplicity at it's best!

Susan Carlin said...

Wow. This one was worth losing a brush or two. Beautiful!

Marilyn Flanegan said...

This 'quick sketch' as you call it reveals your gifted editing eye. I enjoy your short stories as I do your novels.

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS! Love how all the drama is around the focal point and you are loser and have less detail everywhere else. Genius on the run!

Stephen Parker said...

I'm with silentwitness on this one. That, and that the pallet exudes west Texas.

Best of all, from a strictly selfish point of view, are your ability and willingness as a teacher of what you know.

See you in class, thank God.

SamArtDog said...

This one's definitely a favorite. Your values are always right on, but this one shows them off so well. You captured the light before it could get away.

David Westerfield said...

Really good edges. The way the leaves meet the sky is great.

Jeff Mahorney said...

This is so dynamic. I really like it. That little notch on the mountain in the background is exactly what it needed. Very cool composition.

Tracey Mardon said...

Love it Laurel, expecially those last rays of light on the ground!

Daniel Fishback Fine Art LLC said...

Very nice!

http://danielfishbackfineart.com

Laurel Daniel said...

Folks, thank you SO much for your thoughtful comments!!!

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Wow I think you got exactly everything you needed here Laurel. I have noticed that your work seems to capture a very natural simplicity that is very compelling.

Lovely work!