Goofin’ OFF

Well………I have a confession to make. I’ve been GOOFIN’ OFF! I’m visiting a couple of collectors in North Carolina who are also very dear friends. After being in Charlotte a bit Paul and Nancy whisked us away to their lake home on Lake Hartwell.

Another collector and long time friend of Jack’s and mine, “Angel” Ann, came with me. Here she is on the dock.

First thing when we arrived, our hosts put the pontoon boat in the water. Nancy brought it around the point to us.

Captain Paul took over and we headed out for a ride.

We landed on a great little island and had the beach all to ourselves. The puppies couldn’t wait to jump out and go swimming. That’s Hombre on the left. Please remember, you may click on any of the pictures to see them larger.

Nancy took a fun shot of me, Ann and Paul. That’s Biscuit cavorting on the sand in front of us.

Nancy enjoying the ride!

Even though a storm was brewing God blessed us with a beautiful sunset. The rain on the tin roof of the cottage provided a peaceful lullaby, lulling all to sleep! With relaxed hugs,

http://www.Senkarik.com

Tapestry of Spring

Tall, lanky Penstemmon sends up fiery spires over the rocks. The darkest parts of the blossoms are blocked in with mixtures of Alizarin Crimson + a touch of White and Cadmium Red Deep. Don’t forget, you may click on any of images to see them larger.

The foliage is made of combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. Brushstrokes of Pthalo Blue + a tiny bit of White are added in the darkest areas of the leaves, bringing extra coolness to the shadows.

Petals shimmering in the sun are highlighted with pure Cadmium Red Light and Cadmium Red Light + White. The corner of my Bright (square) brush is used to make the long, tubular flowers.

TALKIN’ VIDEO.…Painting the Yellow Coreopsis nestled at the base of the Penstemmon.

PART II of Painting the Coreopsis

Mixtures of Cadmium Red Deep + Cadmium Red Medium, Cadmium Red Medium + Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Red Light make the African Daisies. The leaves are combinations of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow. Light, as well as the stream, flows into the painting from the right side of the canvas. The brightness sliding in behind the dark clump of flowers helps to give the impression of depth in the painting.

TALKIN’ VIDEO.….The three step process of adding centers to the African Daisies.

Tapestry of Spring     24″ x 30″

TA DA! We’re done! Can’t you just hear the music of the water tumbling over the rocks and birds happily singing away in the trees back by the cabin? Wonder what’s for supper! Something’s cooking inside, you can see the smoke rising from the chimney. Is that a waft of Texas Barbeque in the gentle breeze? Let’s walk back through the Tapestry of Spring Wildflowers and go see! With Colorful Smiles and Hugs, 

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The Babbling Brook

Today we’ll work on the rocks and babbling brook. My color is laid out on my palette, a sheet of 1/4 inch glass over a white shelf board. This unit is placed on top of a kitchen or culinary cart with 2 shelves underneath that provide a handy place for my extra tubes of paint. The mixes are #1. Three shades of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + White. #2. Several combinations of Cadmium Orange + MUD + White. #3. Two mixtures of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. #4. Cobalt Blue + White. #5. Mix #3 + MUD + White. #6. Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White. The little dab of blue is leftover from the Bluebonnets.

After blocking in the stream the reflections of the rocks are pulled, straight down, into the wet paint. Please remember as you read through my blog, you may click on any of the images to see them larger.

Well……I had a great video of painting the rocks. At least I thought I did until I went to the camera to stop filming. Much to my dismay I discovered I’d forgotten to push the START BUTTON! OPPPSS!!!! My kitties, Molly and Sissie, must think I’m crazy talking to myself. They certainly do give me a funny look sometimes! Anyway, the rocks have been painted and now the water in the middle pond is added. Some of the blue reflects up onto the sides of the boulders.

The lower pond is painted with the rock colors. Then brushstrokes of the #3 mixtures are pulled horizontally into the water near the base of the waterfall. More of the browns are left in the foreground to give the impression of rocks under the surface of the shallow water.

The breaking edge of the water as it cascades over the rocky falls is highlighted with pure White. 

The canvas, attached to the cardboard backing, is placed in Jack’s desk chair. This makes the lower edge easier to paint. You can see how having the canvas on the cardboard allows me to handle the wet painting with ease. If you’d like to see how I fixed the canvas to the backing CLICK HERE.

I don’t know about you but I’m ready to go dangle my toes in that cool water. It got into the mid 90’s here in Texas today! And some good news, I got my new website up and running at Senkarik.com. Still have some construction work to do on several pages, writing and adding images, but take a look anyway! Just CLICK HERE.  HUGS,

http://www.Senkarik.com

Bluebonnets Explained!

Before starting to paint the field of Bluebonnets I get all of the color I’ll need mixed and laid out on my palette. The little globs on the left are paint remaining from our last session. #1. White + Magenta. #2. 3 shades of Ultramarine Blue + White. #3. Cobalt Blue + White. #4. Dioxazine Purple + White. #5. Several combinations of White + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange. This shows what a wide variety of colors you can achieve by mixing just two hues + White. #6. Mixes in different proportions of Alizarin Crimson + Cadmium Yellow Medium.  #7. Some of the distant mountain and sky colors saved from previous sessions.

We’ll plant some flowers in that rock planter. The #6 mixes are used here.

OK, you asked for it……Talking ’bout painting Bluebonnets! 

Part II

Part III

Now the Bluebonnets are in I start blocking in the California Poppies. I also use the #6 mixtures here. Where the Orange flowers extend up over the Bluebonnets the thick paint is gently “Laid” on top of the blue. This way I don’t pick up the underlying color and muddy the bright orange blossoms. Rocks along the stream are painted with some of the paint used for the cabin. 

Look at the raised flower bed by the cabin. I’ve painted some of the Magenta, #1, over the reds and oranges to mute them. Then I start adding the thread like stems of the California Poppies. You may click on this or any of the other images to see them larger.

White Thistle Poppies grow around the side of the gallery wrap canvas. They are blocked in with mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue, White + Pthalo Blue and White + Dioxazine Purple.

White highlights and yellow centers complete the Thistles. That’s all for today. AND….Please, always feel free to ask questions! With Colorful Smiles, 

 

Embrace of Live Oaks

Got my color laid out on the palette to paint those beautiful old Live Oaks embracing the cozy cabin. #1. White + Ultramarine Blue. #2. A darker shade of White + Ultramarine Blue. #3. Two mixes of White + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange. #4. Three different combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + White. #5. Cadmium Yellow Medium added to the lighter shade of mix #4. #6. Ultramarine Blue + MUD + White.

The meadow behind the trees is painted with the two shades of #3. The light running behind the building and trunks adds distance. Mixes #4 and #5 are used for the foliage of the Oaks. A little White is combined with mix #5 for the lightest leaves behind the roof. The same concept as before applies here, sun illuminating the tree in back of the dark building will give the feeling of more depth.

The trees to the right of the cabin POP UP, over the mountain in the background, to provide additional distance. 

I’ve decided the tops of the trees on the right edge will come below the far hills. This makes that clump drop further back. Please remember, you may click on any of the images to see them larger.

Now….Let’s paint the Cabin. AND I have audio telling you exactly what I’m doing and why!

Painting the Cabin – Part II

Painting the Cabin – Part III

Painting the Cabin – Part IV

So, our cozy little Cabin is happily nestled among the Live Oaks. We’ll be working on the Bluebonnets next! HUGS,

Lake Tahoe Auction Ends TONIGHT!

 

Tahoe Reflections

Don’t forget, my eBay auction for “Tahoe Reflections” ends tonight, Sunday June 11 at 8 PM Central Time. This Senkarik Original Oil Painting would make a wonderful Father’s Day Gift. To see the image larger just click on the picture.

CLICK HERE to go to the auction!

If you would like to watch the videos of “Tahoe Reflections” being painted from start to finish just CLICK HERE.

Happy Bidding!

Fluffy Texas Clouds

We’ll begin with the sky. When doing any piece with a landscape I “Paint Forward”. That means I do the sky first, then the most distant mountain, closer ones and so on. My color mixtures are laid out on the palette, #1. White + Pthalo Blue. #2. White + Cobalt Blue. #3. White + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) and #4. White + a little of Mix #3 + a touch of Cadmium Orange.

VIDEO with AUDIO.….Painting the sky!

Now the “Painting Forward” begins. The hills farthest away from us are made of several shades of White + Ultramarine Blue + MUD. The top of the mountain is dragged over the wet paint of the sky, softening the edge. This follows one of the simple rules that help to give the appearance of depth in a painting: Soft Edges Go Back, Hard Edges Come Forward.

The closest bluffs are blocked in with mixes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + MUD + White. Several combinations in varying proportions are made, giving a wide range of cool, muted greens.

We’ll work on the ancient live oaks and the structure in our next session. Hope you’ll come watch….I’ll have a video as I’m painting the cozy little cabin! With Colorful Smiles and Hugs, 

A Cozy Cabin

My collectors stayed at this wonderful Bed and Breakfast near Lost Maples, a beautiful part of Texas. Can’t you just imagine how cool it was to relax in this cozy cabin? AND with all the comforts of home, I might add, notice the dish!

Dan and Kathy asked me to add a field of Bluebonnets and other wildflowers as well as a babbling brook in the foreground. Here’s my sketch.

Work on the canvas begins by sketching up the building in a thin oil wash of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. I want to establish the placement of the building first. Then I’ll build the rest of the composition around it.

Look in the background behind the cabin, there is a round rock planter. You may click on the image to see it larger. Most likely it originally was a water tank for horses and cattle to drink from. But now it appears to have been converted to a raised garden.

I’m going to move the raised planter to the left of the cabin. Believe me, after constructing our garden here, it’s much easier to do in a painting than in real life!

Moving to the foreground I start making the “Stair steps” of the little water falls.

Rocks line the stream. Wouldn’t it be fun to use those boulders as stepping stones to cross from one side of the water to the other?

Flowers are labeled and we’re done. Ready to begin painting in our next session! If you would like to receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. As we say in Texas, “Much Obliged!

Lake Tahoe from Start to Finish

We’re going to Lake Tahoe today. AND since many of you have been asking for it, I’m showing the entire painting from start to finish, with TA, DA…….AUDIO! 

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

Tahoe Reflections     10 inches by 10 inches

Now that you’ve seen me paint Tahoe Reflections, I have another surprise for you. It’s on my eBay auction and the bid begins at ONLY A PENNY!!!!!! That’s right, One Cent. This size piece would retail in our Galleries for $590!

To GO to the Auction CLICK HERE!

Tahoe Reflections measures 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide.

The piece is painted on a 1 1/2 inch cradled panel. You don’t have to worry a bit about framing, the sides are finished in black acrylic. And….the piece is equipped with a hanging wire. All you have to do is hang it on your, or your Dad’s, wall!

Father’s Day is right around the corner on June 18! So don’t linger, my auction ends Sunday, June 11 at 8 PM Central Time. Tahoe Reflections would make a wonderful Gift for that special Dad in your life! Give him the opportunity to escape the hustle bustle of his busy life on a magic carpet ride to Lake Tahoe. To sit on the rocks and relax, enjoying the cool breeze and gentle lip-lap of the water below. A Senkarik Original Oil Painting is a present that lasts for generations. The recipient will see an expression of your love every time he looks at the view of the sparkling water and reflections dancing on Lake Tahoe. If you’d like me to personalize the back of the painting with a note to that special Father in your life, let me know as soon as possible after you win. That way I can get it shipped in time to arrive for Father’s Day!

To GO to the Auction CLICK HERE!

HAPPY BIDDING!

 

A Precious Moment

Finishing up on the children. I’m showing three days work, compressed into the one post. Ethan is the youngest of the two “Big Brothers”, his face is blocked in first. The facial tones of the children are more fair and even pinker than that of their mom.

After defining his facial features I make Ethan’s cheeks a bit pinker.

The same skin tones are used to block in Caleb’s face. His hair is painted using several of the mixtures remaining from Ashley’s.

Upon first seeing the fuzzy picture Pastor Chris had I was overwhelmed with the inquisitiveness and gentleness of Caleb, tenderly pulling the blanket back to see his NEW baby sister. I still get goosebumps. I feel like God gave me a special opportunity to paint this piece. And I know Jack enjoyed every single brush stroke as he peered down from Heaven. I most certainly could hear his voice in my mind, giving me advice as I worked.

A fine liner brush is used to make the tiny details on Emma. You may click on this, or any of the other images to see them enlarged.

Sunlight pours over Ethan’s shoulder, silhouetting Caleb. A soft White made of White + Ultramarine Blue is used for the highlight. I don’t use pure White because it would be too bright, taking attention away from Emma’s delicate face.

Ethan is the blondie in the family! Mixes of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White are used for his golden hair.

A Precious Moment     12″ x 16″

The boys, wearing their “Big Brother” T-shirts, meet their baby sister, Emma, for the first time in this “Precious Moment”. I received the sweetest email from Ashley….“Thank you for sharing your blog posts with me!! I was definitely surprised and in awe of the painting… It brought tears to my eyes as I had come to the conclusion that the memory of them meeting would be just that – a treasured memory. But you brought it to life on canvas… And my amazing husband thought of it and provided you with all the materials to aid in the painting coming together.”

I feel so blessed! In Him,