To celebrate a beautiful morning, I’m going to try and capture the vibrance and joy of these poppies. I’ll work from direct observation: no photos, no technology, absolutely zero ai.
i scratched out a simple composition…I like the cluster of poppies in the foreground, then tall blades of grass, and poppies in the distance. A bee is floating between the different flowers. stay tuned to see if miss b makes the cut
All my big panels are in my studio, but I was lucky to have some little 6x8s laying around in my car. For this underpainting, I’ve used my biggest brush -to keep from getting lost in details…on my smallest panel size. it might not make sense right now, but color is what will hold this painting together…that’s the next step!!! Stay tuned!
Maybe it would be easier to work from a photo. the flowers are Constantly moving, blowing with the wind…and then the SUN moves too1-changing everything. But there is nothing like being outside + a part of the world I am trying to capture with paint. I *think* I have a color scheme worked out, but it keeps changing: at this point, I’m going to trust my eyes, and go with it!
the wind decided to obliterate one of my models!!!! oh the carnage!!!
Well, im truly a Sunday painter! What a nice way to start the day! In nature with my paints (and Facebook friends!!!). Hope you all have a great day! Pop goes the poppy!! 6×8 oil on panel
Good evening! theres Nothing like the warm late afternoon sunshine. Going to try and capture it (and these tulips) with some oil paint!
afternoon light changes fast, so no time to fuss around. Here’s my composition-let’s get it started!
Values (dark and light) worked out. Time for color! This painting is all about the bright yellow flowers, so all decisions made will be to support that yellow.
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower
As if the quickly changing evening sun isn’t challenge enough: NOBODY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THEIR PETALS ONCE THE SUN WENT DOWN!!!! That was a surprise! Well, regardless, I had a wonderful time painting from direct observation: no photos, no tech, no ai: is nothing like working from life…bugs and all!!! Clever titles welcome – oil on board, 6×12”
It’s lunch time, and these asparagus are ready to eat! It’s been a good year for asparagus so far, so I want to celebrate the bounty with a painting!
I have a composition worked out. The drawing on the left is close to the values (dark and light) I want to capture, but the sketch on the right is closer to the composition I want. I want to emphasize the height of the asparagus. A panoramic proportioned board will help. Ok painting time!
The underpainting is roughed out. I used a combination of yesterday’s leftover paint and some violet and Veridian (green). Now it’s time to put colors in!!!
I have a color scheme worked out. A lot of artists find GREEN to one of the more difficult colors to mix. Well, this is a green plant with a green background. I’m living my dream, and I am the one who picked this subject, so will try not to be a crybaby and complain.
Ok! That’s a wrap!!! I really want to title this “kiss my asparagus” what do you think? 6×12” oil on board
The march trend in Kentucky seems to be: either no wind and no sun, or sun with lots of wind!
I’m in Flemingsburg hoping to catch this sun without being Carried off to munchkin land!
Wish me luck!
sorry for no sketch…was busy chasing this palette before it floated into the creek! I have an ok underpainting. Let’s get some color out!
If you are the kind of person who likes your artists to suffer for their art, you’ll LOVE this painting. Other than being happy to paint sunshine, this has been a miserable experience. ive had too keep my left hand (freezing) in n the palette, to keep it from blowing away. ok, enough crybaby me…let’s get back to work!!!
I was late to sketch group at the Cincinnati Art Club today…which means all the good views of the model were already taken.
One of the views left had an extreme amount of foreshortening. That’s when things point toward (or away from) the viewer. The model (Kathryn Hinton–Masks Of The Soul–one of my favorite models) was reclining away from me, with her leg and foot pointing toward the viewer.
No one setup in that spot, because it’s EXTREMELY difficult to draw this amount of foreshortening. (not to mention she was backlit)
I’ve been drawing with the sketch group, because I want to get better at drawing what I see (without cameras or technology) This was absolutely the most difficult drawing I have ever done…EVER.
It’s not perfect, but I’m happy with how much of the foreshortening I was able to achieve. Maybe next time I’ll be late again—the difficult views are what push me into being a better artist!
My neighbors at Blevins Daylily Farm gave me permission to paint some of their daffodils. I’m so honored to be here. Hope to capture some of the natural beauty that surrounds me right now
Here’s my sketch. Flowers painting is a whole other ballgame. My first try for the season. Let’s dive in and paint!!!
The values are worked out. Color time! Hope I brought enough YELLOW!!!
Aaah, the artists life! what In the world was I thinking when I chose to work in this position?!?!
Well, this is not the first time daffodils have been my ruination. I had a lot of fun, but between the moving light, flowers constantly moving in the wind…and my poor choice of posture. Those flowers broke me, lol!
I’m not one to give up. I’m going to try again, but will pick a better time of day and perspective.
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Thanks again Dana and Susie for letting me paint your flowers!
Greetings from the Woodlawn Cemetery in vanceburg ky! Some of the lewis county ancestors are tricksters: knocked my paint box down with the wind. I’m going to be respectful and hope they will let me get a painting!
Here’s my sketch with the composition: going to try and get the whole bend in the river with town in the foreground, mountains in the background
I have my values worked out. Time for color!
mid day isn’t the best time for dramatc colors, but I have a color harmony worked out. now it’s detail time
Still working. Can’t say my office doesnt have a nice view
Greetings from historic old Washington. It’s been wet all day, and I wasn’t sure if I’d get a chance to catch a painting. These trees are demanding to be painted.
Working the values out: tricky on an overcast day, with dark brick, white brick and blossoms
I’m going to call this the awkward teenager stage. I hope it will turn out ok, but there’s a fear it’ll break bad and grow up to be dysfunctional.
I’m feeling better now that I’m pretty sure my unruly teenager is going to be ok and NOT bring shame and scandal to the family name
Taylors Corner On A Grey Day In March 2024
oil on board 8×10″
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Ken is a self-taught artist from rural Kentucky, whose work includes painting, printmaking, and pottery. He considers himself to be a 'lifetime learner' and uses art to explore and learn more about the world around him. Much of his work reflect his optimistic views on rural folk culture, river life and simple pleasures.
You can visit Ken every Final Friday of the month at studio 400 at the Pendleton Art Center in downtown Cincinnati or by appointment.
