Tennessee Barn - Continued

It' s been a while since I've had the opportunity to work on this one. I think I am done with it but the grass may need just a touch more...

Hawthorne Tree Study

This is a Hawthorne tree that resides in North Yorkshire England. My good friend, Mike Sibley, was so kind to take photos of some local trees for me. It is a small tree but has so much character with it's old knarly bark and knots and distinct leaves with small red berries.

This was drawn on Arches Watercolor paper, hot press. Size is approximately 9x12".

Barn Commission

I believe this one is ready for a signature. I have laid in the grass and the lane gently curves into the picture...leading the viewer right into the scene. The tree shadow blanketing across the lane adds interest as well.

This is coming along nicely. I have the fence lines in and the driveway is starting to take shape. The grass is slowly taking form as well. The foreground tree on the left wraps the scene nicely together.

I've got the garden planted! This sure brings back memories of all those garden fresh vegetables...cabbage, carrots, beans, tomatoes and corn. I've started on the fence work and the lane as well....

I've drawn in the silo. It has a metal dome with lots of sun reflection. The silo itself is a brick one. Consistent with my approach, I do not draw every single brick. Instead I draw just enough to give the impression of bricks. I am careful to indicate a curve to give the silo a cylindrical shape. I continue with the trees in the background and the shed to the left of the building.

There is a maze of fences to decifer in the front part of the barn. I will have to look closely at the photo reference to see where they go.....

The barn is next... I have added just a few wispy clouds in the sky. Just enough to add interest, not enough to compete with the rest of the scene.



Since I am left-handed I work from right to left. For me that is a natural progression. It might seem a bit backwards to most people. I have decided to include just a few of the round hay bales but they disappear into the trees on the right. The background tree line and field are added as well.

I start by creating an outline of the barn and surrounding elements. I then create a smooth, toned sky.....

The size of this image 17.5 x 10".

I enjoy doing commissions for people. But when the subject matter includes a old family farmstead, it is even more enjoyable. This one is no exception!

My client provided me with a couple of photos of a barn. She is giving this drawing to her mother for her 75th birthday. What a beautiful barn and a wonderful gift....

Here are the two reference photos that I am working from. The panoramic is of the barn just before it was torn down. The black and white is how they all remember it looking like. I will be combining elements from both images to create an image from the past.....

Tennessee Barn

I've had to set this drawing to the side for just a bit, but promise to get back to it soon!!!

Fellow artist, Gregg Stone, shared a wonderful photo he had taken of a Tennessee barn. I've been itching to draw it ever since he sent it to me. This drawing is currently on my easel while I have been 'meeting the public' at Barnes & Noble.

Barns in Iowa don't weather (age) like this one! This has such rich beautiful darks. It's the darkest I've ever attempted in a drawing. I have much of the barn face completed and will be starting on the background soon!

Enjoy!

Barnes & Noble Display

Here is my display at Barnes & Noble! I plan on returning in the evening to take more photos so I don't get so much glare on the artwork glass. But I couldn't wait to post some photos.

Lessons at WetCanvas!

Well, it's official. I will be conducting a series of drawing lessons on Wetcanvas.com starting January 11, 2007!!! I am really excited about this opportunity!

Many artists are intimidated at drawing landscapes. By breaking each component of a landscape down into smaller pieces, anything is possible! We will start by exploring skies. Then we will learn techniques on how to draw rocks, water, grass and trees. We'll finish up by combining all of these components into a complete landscape.

Come join us at www.wetcanvas.com in the Drawing & Sketching forum. See you there!

Happy New Year!

It has been a great year and I am really looking forward to what the new year has in store for me! It is New Year's Eve... my son is home from Houston, Tx and has a number of his friends over celebrating.

And I'm cloistered in my studio drawing......rocks. Yup that's right. I am doing a rock study for a rock tutorial. Thought I would share! I have the rocks completed, now just have to finish the ripples in the water, and some grass and leaves.