Black Shale

It has been awhile since I have worked on any new pigments. The black shale in the photo is from a mineral sample, that I took last year and had not gotten around to using. A small outcropping had caught my eye while I was in the mountains about four hours to the west.

I didn't know very much about my sample, so I wanted to be sure that it would be suitable for use in oil paint. I consulted a local geologist, who suggested that I take a pH test of the sample.

After I ground the raw sample, I mixed some with a small amount of water for the pH test. The pH was about 6, slightly acidic. I chose to go ahead to put the sample through my usual process of grinding, washing and levigating. Then I will try mixing it into paint.

Ocean Visit

Last week I visited the beach, with the intention of painting my first seascape.

While I was planning my trip, I spent a lot of time searching for the right site to visit. I wanted to paint the most unadulterated area possible. Most of the Atlantic seaboard has been overrun by beachfront houses and tourist hotels. The natural dunes have diminished or ceased to exist. Some beaches have to truck in sand or they would disappear altogether. As a result, its hard to find a beach that feels authentic.

My choice was a wildlife refuge not too far from the hotel where I was staying. I visited the site in advance, and enjoyed the scenery. There was lots of interesting things to paint: dunes, beaches, and some wildlife.

As the week of my visit approached, the weather predictions indicated a mixed bag: a few nice days punctuated by lots of rain. The forecast also called for strong winds throughout the week. It appeared that there would be only a few days of sunshine. This was discouraging. As I didn't have the option of rearranging my visit, I decided to go anyway and make the best of it.

The refuge was about an hours drive from where I was staying, so it was easy to get to by car. I ended up visiting only a few times; it was so windy that I could barely hold onto a sketchpad. I spent hours studying and sketching the waves. Back in my hotel room, I worked out a design for the final composition of the painting:


I started working on the painting towards the end of my visit. As it became clear that the weather was not going to cooperate, I made the decision to set the picture aside and complete it in the studio.

Sandy Bay, Jamestown

Sandy Bay, Jamestown
Oil on Wooden Panel 14" x 8"

This painting is available. Contact me.

More Progress...

Here is another work in progress, nearing completion. An interesting view from the Blue Ridge mountains, during a passing storm. This is an informal studio project, so that I could experiment with various techniques. I get a little more comfortable and familiar with my historic palette the more I use it.

Right now I'm trying to find a good balance between the warmth of the foreground and the drama of the background atmosphere.

A Small Tip

Cleaning brushes is probably my least favorite part of painting. I'd love to have the means to be able to pay someone to do the job for me. Until that day arrives, it will remain a necessary daily chore. Cleaning a whole set of brushes is easy to put off at the end of a long day. There are other times it is not practical, such as during travel.

This is a small tip for those kinds of situations. I heard about the idea from another artist,  who uses it all the time.

All you need is a small painting tray. I bought this one at a local hardware store. The tray was made for small detail paint rollers, and was inexpensive.


I filled the deep end of the tray with a moderate amount of linseed oil. Brushes are laid on their side so that the bristles rest submerged in the oil.


The oil retards the drying time of used brushes, so dirty brushes can be stored for relatively long periods. Later, if I need to use one of the brushes in the tray, I take it out, and wipe it clean on a towel or rag. The brush can be put to immediate use, or given a real cleaning.

In Progress

This picture represents my first time painting such a large waterfall. I picked this site as one of my favorites, while looking for new material, outside of Covington, Virginia. The viewing angle was interesting, being off to the side and straight on and square with the falls.

I originally visited this site back in winter, with plans to produce a painting later in the spring. The falls is a popular viewing destination, there are already many great photos of it in existence. Comparing pictures from different seasons to my own, I noted that the view would drastically change by the summer. The mass of fully blossomed trees would obscure much of the detail of the rocks and valley below. I made the decision to hurry back before Spring had taken full effect.

My main objective for this picture was to capture the power and dynamics of falling water. In order to do so, I felt it necessary to be there in person for the majority of the painting. I'm glad I made that decision, despite all of the extra back and forth driving it entailed.

This picture is not yet finished. Now that I have worked out the basic composition, my plan is to complete the picture in my studio. Before I left the falls, I toned the background on the warm side of neutral. The challenge will be to fill in the missing details, while adding some more color.

Exploration

Finding inspiration, and staying inspired, is a process that goes in cycles. With practice, a great deal of inspiration can be found in relatively mundane places or things. Always trying to find inspiration in the same places, can also lead to boredom and frustration.

Sometimes, keeping a strong will and fighting through a slump is effective. When fighting doesn't work, it can be even more frustrating. If I sense I'm losing interest in creating art, I try to find ways of becoming involved again. A change of pace or scenery is an effective remedy for boredom.

I recently went exploring a new area, several hours west of where I live. I wasn't convinced that there was much for me to see before I went exploring. However once I paid a visit, I found a source for at least several new paintings, and a nice change of scenery.