Rounded Adobe

We’ll paint the adobe walls first. The color mixtures are laid out on the palette and we’re ready to begin. The basic mix is Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White. For the darker shadows MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) is added. If you would like to learn more about our Color Mixing System CLICK HERE.

Shadows cast by the vigas, chili ristra and Trumpet Vine cascade down the old adobe walls. The upright plane of the steps on the top of the wall are made darker. The flat surface of the steps are lighter because they receive more illumination from the sky above.

One of the elements of Southwest architecture seen everywhere in Santa Fe are the beams protruding out of the walls, or vigas. To make the viga appear round the lower edge is rimmed with a mix of Ultramarine Blue + White.

The shadow of the door is a mix of Cadmium Red Deep + Magenta. These two colors are not regulars on our double primary palette but are brought out for special occasions. The sunny part of the door is pure Cadmium Red Light.

Now for the curved tile floor. First the entire surface of the floor is covered, establishing the light and shadow pattern. One of the most basic rules in painting is Warm colors come forward, Cool colors go back. So I make the part of the floor near the door bluer, or cooler, so it will recede.

Using a fine liner brush I draw the curved perspective lines of the tile into the wet paint of the floor. This is done freehand so the curve will be smooth.

The horizontal lines separating the individual pavers are drawn next. Then the edges of the tiles catching the sun are highlighted. While the floor is wet I sign the painting. It’s much easier to do at this stage than to wait until the underlying layer is dry. Then it would be difficult to make my signature smooth over the bumps and lumps of stiff paint. That’s all for today. Hope to see you again tomorrow! Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com