Fall in Santa Fe

This commission is for some long time Team Senkarik Members. Gloria fell in love with one of my EMBRYOS but it was already sold. She asked if I could paint one just for her. Of course! So here we go……The basic plan is sketched up with a brush dipped in a thin oil wash. Then the ristras are blocked in with Alizarin Crimson + Liquin.

Next the adobe wall is painted. The chili shadows are fun to paint. Next time you’re outside on a sunny day take a moment to observe cast shadows. They are darker closest to the object casting them. They get lighter and cooler, or bluer, the farther they drop away from their source. I add a few strokes of Ultramarine Blue + White to the ends of the shadows cast by the individual chilis.

The yellows and golds of the Sunflowers are painted first. Then I come back and work the green of the leaves around the blossoms. Following this sequence helps to keep the blossom color clean. If I painted the leaves first my brush would pick up some of the green when the flowers were blocked in, muddying the bright yellow hues.

Adding dark centers immediately identifies these as Sunflowers.

Fall in Santa Fe                Original Oil Painting

The Purple Asters are painted in the same sequence as the Sunflowers: Flowers first, Leaves Last. I sign the piece and it’s done. Ready to bring a touch of Fall in Santa Fe to its new home. Thank you for following along today. Hugs,