Today is a short painting day, our Dallas Cowboys are in the Wildcard Playoff Game this afternoon! I concentrate on the distant buildings, making certain to use cooler mixes of Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White so they will recede. My wrist is braced against the mahl stick to steady my hand as I delineate the window. The combination of Viridian Green + White makes a nice, soft green that stays back.
Terra-Cotta rooftops are painted with various mixtures of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange. White is added for the ones on the right that are washed with sunlight. Brushstrokes of Blue and Green that were saved from the water and bluffs are made, giving the feeling of moss covering the terra-cotta roof tiles. Holding the brush at an angle allows me to shape the paint to indicate the individual tiles. You can click on the picture to see it larger.
Jack and I love my ‘through the arch’ paintings at this stage. We think it looks so cool with the distant scene complete and the rest of the piece just sketched in. You can already see how the Warm Colors Come Forward, Cool Colors Recede rule is working. The ocean and bluffs start falling back now the warmer buildings and rooftops have been added. That’s it for today, have to get my game face on! GO COWBOYS!
Mikki Senkarik 
January 4, 2015 at 2:51 PM |
It’s so beautiful. I see how the bright and close-up terra cotta roofs cause the distant ones to recede. Love the way it looks partially done too. But can’t wait to see it finished : – )
January 4, 2015 at 4:44 PM |
Does adding the Ultramarine Blue cool the Cadmium Orange which is a warm color so you can use it for the distant buildings? Cadmium Orange might be too warm to use without the blue?.
January 5, 2015 at 7:24 AM |
Hi Mary,
Yes, the Blue cools the Orange. By mixing the complimentary colors I get a nice taupe for the distant buildings. I make sure to have more blue in the mix to make it cooler. To warm the mixes I would just add more Orange than Blue. Thank you for following my blog. HAPPY PAINTING. Mikki
January 5, 2015 at 12:23 AM |
How about those Cowboys!!! Beautiful painting:)
January 5, 2015 at 7:25 AM |
On to the FROZEN TUNDRA! YIPPEE!!!! And thank you on the painting. Hugs, Mikki
January 5, 2015 at 5:05 AM |
Be sure you paint again for the Green Bay game day, maybe your painting gave those Cowboys just enough luck LOL! Love the perspective in this painting, so inviting and peaks curiosity!