WARM WELCOME EMBELLISHED

Today I’m embellishing a LIMITED ORIGINAL Giclee on Canvas of my Original Oil Painting, WARM WELCOME. My LIMITED ORIGINAL Giclees on Canvas are high quality digital reproductions of my Oil Paintings. Even though each one is part of a numbered edition, I go back in and do a lot of hand embellishing with oil paints. Therefore none of the giclees in the edition are exactly the same, each is an original. That’s how Jack came up with the name, LIMITED ORIGINAL. The unembellished Giclee is shown above. Please keep in mind as you read through this post, you may click on any image to see an enlargement.

The shadow, cast across the road by the gate post and flowers on the right, is made darker.

Sunlight, spilling over the rough surface, is accented to increase the contrast. Thick paint on my brush adds lots of texture, giving the impression of the rocky drive.

Cattle, basking in the warm sun, are highlighted. To make the color of the pasture richer, I lightly glazed the farthest most portion near the background with a thin oil mixture of Ultramarine Blue + Liquin Original. The grassy areas from the pond forward were covered with a mix of Viridian Green + Liquin Original. The barn was also glazed with Alizarin Crimson + Liquin Original to deepen the red and make it drop back more into the distance.

Pink Climbing Roses cascading over the fence, signs and gatepost are repainted with mixtures of Permanent Rose + White.

As I paint the Coreopsis, nestled with Sweet Potato Vine and Nasturtiums in the weathered wine barrel, a Painted Lady Butterfly drops in for a sip of nectar

The Spicy Nasturtiums on the opposite side of the entrance are now embellished. Did you know that these beautiful blossoms, as well as the round leaves, are edible? They are a colorful and tasty addition to salads. You must try them sometime!

Petals of the cheery Sunflowers are given plenty of texture with thick brushstrokes of Cadmium Yellow Medium + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow Medium and Cadmium Yellow Medium + Lemon Yellow.

WARM WELCOME is completely embellished and ready to head to it’s new home!

Now you may compare the two. On the left is the Giclee before any embellishment was done. The light and colors in final LIMITED ORIGINAL of WARM WELCOME shown on the right are much more intense and rich. I really appreciate all of you who so loyally follow along. Thank you for your continuing support and encouragement. With Grateful Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Sunlight on the Nantahala

Branches from a tree on the right extend out, over the rocks and rushing cascade of cold river water. Please keep in mind as you read through my post, you may click on any image to see it larger.

I began working on the huge river rocks, then decided to do a video demonstration to show you how I block them in. So come watch…….

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting the River Rocks.

Now for the water, the color mixtures for my oil paints are shown above. #1. 3 shades of Ultramarine Blue + Pthalo Blue + White, #2. Combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White in different proportions. #3. Mixes of White + Ultramarine Blue. To learn more about the Double Primary Oil Color Mixing System that I use CLICK HERE.

The dark portions of the water are painted first, leaving the canvas white in the areas of frothy foam.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION: Painting a portion of the water cascading over the rocks.

Splashing water is painted by lightly pulling a square tipped “Bright” brush, loaded with paint, upward over the rocks or water behind.

Brushstrokes follow the flow of the water, giving the impression of the river rapidly racing over the rocks.

As kayakers approach the rapids, the rocks and rushing waters are illuminated by a burst of SUNLIGHT ON THE NANTAHALA! Was fun to have you visit my blog and follow along. I pray you’ll always feel free to ask questions in the comments section. Have a wonderful day. With Happy Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

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Tiny Kayaker

Let’s start painting! My color mixes are laid out on my glass palette. #1. 3 combinations of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White for the rocks. #2. MUD + Ultramarine Blue + White for the distant water. The mixtures for the Trees in the background and on the island are: #3. Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. #4. 3 shades of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow + White. #5. Pthalo Blue + a tiny touch of Cadmium Orange + White.

To learn more about the Double Primary Oil Mixing System I use CLICK HERE!

Sunlight illuminates the spring growth on the trees along the far bank of the river. Mixes #4, #5 are used to block them in. You may enlarge any image by clicking on the picture.

Remember the song “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John? Well, when my collector said he wanted the three Kayaks in the background to be the size of a grain of rice, that song immediately jumped into my mind. Except my version is “TINY KAYAKERS”!

Kevin asked me to make the kayaks Orange, Black and Orange going from front to back. The Orange one in the back is made a little darker so it recedes. I let sunlight brighten the hull of the one in the front so it comes forward.

Trees on the island are made with Mixtures #3; the #1 Mixes are used for the rocks.

Combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium make warmer, darker greens for the foliage of the trees in the foreground. The warmth and darkness brings these trees forward of the cooler greens on the distant ones. After doing some research on Google Images of this part of the Nantahala River, I discovered there is a second tree on this embankment. What a welcome finding, I was concerned the one tree would look kind of like a lollypop balanced on top of the boulder. The background peeking through the two trunks increases the feeling of depth in the painting.

Trees in the middle ground, on the opposite bank of the river, are made with the same colors as those on the island.

The WARM COLORS COME FORWARD, COOL COLORS GO BACK rule is also applied to the tree trunks on both sides of the river. You can see how the warmth of the trunks in the front, on the left and right, makes them appear closer.

Rocks and Rapids will be painted in our next session! Hope you’ll come follow along. With Happy Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Going Kayaking!

Beginning on another commission; this is the Nantahala River Rapids in North Carolina. My collector loves to kayak here.

He asked for three small kayakers in the distance, just coming around the bend in the river. Here’s my pen and ink sketch. Please remember, you may see an enlargement of any picture by clicking on the image.

I’ve talked many times about the Oil Wash I use to sketch up the basic plan on my canvas. It’s a combination of Liquin Original + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson). This makes a thin Oil Wash that will dry overnight.

Using the Oil Wash I start by drawing the distant riverbank, island and largest rocks. My reference pictures are displayed on the laptop at the right of my palette.

The softness of foliage growing among the rocks in the foreground provides a nice counterpoint to the their hard edges.

Massive boulders peek out from under the rushing water. The rock was drawn in first with broad strokes. Then the wash is lifted off with a clean brush to give the impression of the water flowing over.

Kayakers are drawn in the distance. My wrist rests on the MAHL STICK that hooks over the top of my easel. This steadies my hand, making it easier to indicate the small details.

We’re all ready to begin painting with oils in our next session. Hope you’ll come back to my studio and watch the progress.

To make it even easier to follow along, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog, you’ll receive an email every time I publish a new post. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. Please keep in mind, to move through the blog when you get the posts, just CLICK on the small titles at the top of the page. The one on the right for the next post or the title on the left side for the previous session.

I appreciate you subscribing to my blog! With Big Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Riverbend Reflections

The color mixes for the grassy lawn are shown above. Because this is nighttime, the greens are cooler, or more blue, than if it was during the day. #1. Three combinations of White + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange. #2. Two shades of White + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow Medium.

The #1 mixes are used to block in the grass on the far side of the walk. One of my favorite things about a full moon is how it casts such distinct shadows at night. It’s fun painting them on the concrete walkway. Please keep in mind as you read through this post, you may click on any picture to see an enlargement.

The area in front of the chairs and flowers, directly below the moon are made with warmer mixtures of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White. The chairs, wine barrel planter and canopy of the trees above, cast shadows from the brilliant moonlight. Blue is added to the distant parts of the shadows to make them recede.

The Adirondack Chairs that I had photographed when I visited this beautiful location were actually yellow. But I’ve changed them to Red for more contrast in the foreground. The yellow would also have taken away from the golden moon! They are made with Cadmium Red Deep + Magenta, Cadmium Red Deep and Cadmium Red Deep + White.

The old Wine Barrel is first blocked in with mixtures of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Red Light + White. Next, the iron bands holding the staves in place are drawn into the wet paint with MUD + Liquin Original.

Originally I was only going to plant Geraniums in the wooden container. However, I realized the planter with the rounded shape of the flowers on top would look like an ice cream cone plopped next to the red chairs. So, I’ve planted some Magenta Petunias to cascade out from under the Geraniums that I’m painting with mixes remaining from the chairs.

Leaves are painted around the masses of flower color with combinations of Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow and Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium. This helps to shape the blossoms.

To differentiate them from the chairs the highlights on the petals of the Geraniums, illuminated by the intense moonlight, are delineated with Cadmium Red Light.

We’re done! I don’t know about you but now that the work is finished, I’m ready to take a seat and enjoy RIVERBEND REFLECTIONS! Gazing up at the moon and stars reminds me of Psalm 19:1-2:

 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.

Thank you for all your support and encouraging words. My followers are THE BEST! With Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

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Finishing Distant Details

Work continues on the Boats. But first things first. My collector asked me to take him out of the painting, he wants people to see this and not be distracted by his being in the piece. It’s all about the peacefulness and beauty of the location. Kevin’s request proves a powerful point. Over the years, I’ve been asked why I don’t put people in my paintings. The reason is, I want the viewers of my art to be able to place themselves in the scene. They can’t do that if someone is already there.

So, I’ve done that and have finished the Pontoon Boat. Also changed the Bimini Tops to black, they aren’t blue as I had surmised from the original photo. Now to delineating the details of the Ski Boat. Please remember, you may click on any picture to see an enlargement.

The metal roof has been completed and we move to the surface of the dock. Lights on the corner posts splash brilliant beams across the wood decking.

Water is carefully painted around the previously sketched-in uprights and diagonals of the walkover railing.

The wood floor is painted with the same mixes as the dock decking. Lights on top of the railing cause a crazy pattern of illumination and shadow on its surface.

The supports of the railing are then pulled over the wet paint of the walkover floor and water.

Gleaming lights reflect into the water below.

After the ladder is added, the distinctive shadow cast onto the deck from the upright rails and rungs is drawn.

The slope of the new, metal roof on the neighbor’s dock catches the soft glow of the moonlight.

Saving the best for last in today’s session, the beautiful Star Spangled Banners that wave above each dock in the gentle, evening breeze. God Bless America!

We’ll move a bit closer in our next session and start on the Foreground! Come join me in planting some grass and flowers! With Patriotic Smiles,

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© Senkarik 2023

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Boats, Canoe, Wave Runners and a Pontoon

The neighbor’s watercraft has a protective cover, I’ve painted it with Ivory Black. The moonlit sky overhead makes blue highlights on the black material. These are made with Ultramarine Blue + White. You may click on this or any of the other pictures to see them larger.

Reflections from the bright light on the corner of the dock glimmer and dance on the water below.

Upright posts, supporting the roof, also reflect down into the water between the dock and bank of the foreground hill.

Now for the Boys’ Lake Toys! Bimini Tops on the Pontoon Boat are blocked in with Mixes of Ultramarine Blue + White and Ultramarine Blue + White + a little bit of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson.)

Drawing Ski Ropes into the wet paint of the water behind them, is the finishing touch on the powerful Ski Boat.

A hunter green Canoe resides on the deck. This is more my speed!

A pair of Wave Runners nestle in their stall next to the Canoe.

Kevin, my collector, has been out for a sunset cruise that lingered into the moonlight. He’s carefully guiding the Pontoon Boat to it’s mooring place. This brings wonderful memories of delightful cruises on the Pontoon Boat with his parents.

We’ll be working more on the two docks in our next session! Please come back to my studio and watch the progress.

To make it even easier to follow along, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog, you’ll receive an email every time I publish a new post. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. Please keep in mind, to move through the blog when you get the posts, just CLICK on the small titles at the top of the page. The one on the right for the next post or the title on the left side for the previous session.

I appreciate you subscribing to my blog! With Big Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Moon Sparkles

Mixtures for the water are shown above: #1. Two shades of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + White. #2. Two mixes of MUD + Pthalo Blue + Ultramarine Blue + White. #3. Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White + MUD. #4. MUD + Pthalo Blue + Ultramarine Blue + White + Cadmium Orange. The hues of the Double Primary Color Mixing system I use are at the top of the picture. To learn more about this wonderful and easy way of mixing oil paint, CLICK HERE!

Please keep in mind, you may click on any image to view an enlargement.

I paint very carefully around the oil wash sketch of the docks, flags and boats. If I happen to paint over the lines, as on the flag, it’s simple to “Erase” the errant brush strokes. I can use a clean brush, dipped in odorless thinner with the excess moisture squeezed out, to lift the paint off the underlying drawing that is now completely dry.

The reflection of the distant shore is dragged into the wet paint of the water. In the reference photo that my collector sent, wind was blowing in the distance. The rough surface obliterated the reflections of the mountains. It’s easy enough to make them up as they are a mirror image of the hills looming above them.

Lights on the docks along the far shoreline reflect straight down into the calm water.

The water also mirrors the sky, it’s lighter along the ridge of the mountains and gets darker as it comes closer to the docks. The upright posts and flag poles are drawn into the wet paint with a thin oil mix of MUD + Liquin Original.

Moon sparkles dance on the water. Since I’m making the water more calm than in the reference picture, the reflections of the golden orb extend down into the water, below those of the mountains.

I finish the foliage of the trees that reach out over the water.

Moonlight glimmers and glows on the water and leaves. The light will become even more dramatic when the entire canvas is covered. Hope you’ll keep following along! Have a great evening,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Full Moon

The mixes for the night sky are laid out on my glass palette. #1. MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + Pthalo Blue + White. #2. Mixture #1 + more White. #3. Mix #2 + additional White. #4. Ultramarine Blue + Pthalo Blue + a touch of Cadmium Orange + White. Along the top of my palette are the basic oil colors of my Double Primary Mixing system that Jack developed. If you’d like to learn more about it, CLICK HERE.

Any image may be enlarged by clicking on the picture.

The sky is darkest overhead, mixtures #1 and #2 are used at the top of the canvas. Moving down, #3 makes the middle portion of the sky; #4 for the lower part along the horizon.

The transitions between the three zones are softened. Some of the lightest color (#4) is used for the glow around the moon. The bright orb is a mix of White + a touch of Cadmium Yellow Medium + a bit of MUD.

The mountains along the distant shoreline are MUD + Ultramarine Blue + a little Cadmium Orange + White. Some of the #4 sky color is pulled into them.

Light from the moon illuminates the mountains directly below. For now I’m only painting the strip of water at the shoreline. My first strokes of the far edge of the water of MUD + Ultramarine Blue + White, make a hard edge. In order to make it recede, I want the horizon to be slightly fuzzy, not sharp. Therefore, a zig-zag is made along the entire length with a small brush.

A wider brush is then pulled over the zig-zag, softening the line.

Moonlight gleams along the distant water line below the moon and I’ve added a few twinkling stars. I need to paint the foliage of the trees while the sky is still wet. The trees farthest from us are made with cooler, green mixtures comprised of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Lemon + Cadmium Orange + White and Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. These trees receive more illumination from the moonlight, so they are painted lighter.

The trees closest to us are warmer mixes of Ultramarine Blue + Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White. The warmer, darker trees come forward of the lighter, cooler ones behind them. This follows a basic rule to give the feeling of depth in a painting, WARM COLORS COME FORWARD, COOL COLORS RECEDE.

Leaves on the distant trees glimmer as they are touched by moonlight. The edge of the trunks even catch some of the luminescence radiating from the orb in the sky.

That’s all for this session. I’ll be painting the water next. Hope you’ll come back to my studio to see how it goes.

With Happy Hugs,

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© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com

Night Scene!

A new challenge is up on my easel; painting a night scene with the full moon reflecting in water! Never have done this before, it’s going to be fun! This is the view from my collector’s family’s home on the river. It’s a beautiful place, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to stay there a couple of times. It truly is magical at night.

To make the composition even more inviting I’ve added a couple of their Adirondack Chairs in the foreground.

Drawing the horizon line is the first step. Than, a vanishing point is established for the closest dock. That allows me to get the perspectives of the dock and boats correct. If you’d like to see this or any of the other images larger, just click on them.

Here’s a close-up view of the vanishing point and perspective lines for the dock.

Next I begin sketching the basic composition with a brush dipped in a thin oil wash of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin Original. A blow up of the neighbor’s dock and boats in the moonlit scene is taped to my canvas for reference. It’s been reroofed since the picture was taken. After making that change, their pontoon and ski boat are sketched.

Now I begin on Kevin’s dock. Reflections are roughly indicated with a larger brush.

Kevin wanted me to include all of their watercraft. Along with a powerful ski boat and pontoon boat, they have a canoe.

AND a couple of wave runners! My favorite is the pontoon boat. It’s so fun taking a leisurely sunset cruise to enjoy the company, laughter, colorful sky and dancing reflections!

One rule in design is that groupings of elements in odd numbers is more pleasing to the eye. So, next to the Adirondack chairs, I’ve added a huge, half whiskey barrel that will be planted with fragrant, mosquito repelling Geraniums.

Because of the family’s Irish heritage, they proudly display Ireland’s flag below “Old Glory”.

Trees are the last element to finish out the oil wash sketch. One of the trunks is allowed to overlap the dock. Overlapping objects is another technique that helps to give the impression of depth and distance to a painting.

Five trees on the lawn going down to the docks frame the view. We’ll begin painting the night sky in our next session. Hope you’ll come back to my studio and watch the progress.

AND, to make it even easier to follow along, I’d like to invite you to subscribe to my blog, you’ll receive an email every time I publish a new post. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just click the button “Sign me up!”  It’s easy. Please keep in mind, to move through the blog when you get the posts, just CLICK on the small titles at the top of the page. The one on the right for the next post or the title on the left side for the previous session.

I appreciate you subscribing to my blog! With Big Hugs,

ALL SENKARIK IMAGES PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW

© Senkarik 2023

www.senkarik.com