The Setting Sun

My oil paint colors for the sky are mixed and I’m ready to begin painting. But first, let me tell you my recipes for the Sunset Hues. #1. White + Pthalo Blue + a touch of Cadmium Orange. #2. White + Pthalo Blue. #3. White + Cobalt Blue. #4. White + MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson). #5. White + MUD + Alizarin Crimson. #6. Two shades of White + Cadmium Yellow Medium + Cadmium Orange. #7. White + Alizarin Crimson + Cadmium Red Light + a little bit of MUD.

If you’d like to see an enlargement of any picture, just click on the image.

The oil washes, comprising the foliage of the trees that were completed in our previous session, are now day. The opaque colors of the sky and clouds are carefully painted around the leaves of the birches and needles of the pines.

The setting sun illuminates the surrounding clouds. The glowing orb is highlighted with White + the tiniest bit of Cadmium Yellow Medium.

The luminosity of the sun also warms and lightens the slope of the hills below.

The brilliantly colored leaves of the Birch Trees are made of Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD, Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD + Cadmium Orange and Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD + Alizarin Crimson.

Pine boughs are blocked in with several combinations, in various proportions, of Sap Green + Pthalo Blue + White and Sap Green + White.

The autumn colors of the trees on the opposite share are painted in more muted tones so they will fall back.

Reflections of the hills and sunset sky have been painted into the water behind the swinging bench. Its sturdy frame, chains and wooden seat are drawn into the wet oil paint.

The rest of the reflections of the hills and first layer of clouds snuggled along the top of them are also pulled down into the lake at the horizon line. Next, the area of the water closest to the foreground is painted with mixes #1, #2 and #3.

Now the reflections of the setting sun are dragged horizontally into the blue water, mirroring the sky above.

At this time the trunks of the Birch and Pine trees are delineated. Painting the reflections of the sky first, then pulling the trunks over the wet surface, allows the water to appear smooth and glassy.

That’s it for this session. Thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments. I really appreciate you! AND PLEASE, always feel free to ask questions. See you next time! With Big Hugs,

ALL SENKARIK IMAGES PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW

© Senkarik 2024

www.senkarik.com

Off to Minnesota

I’m staying in my studio but we’re heading to Minnesota on my easel. My collectors had a lake home there that’s been in their family for a few generations. They recently sold it and wanted a couple of paintings to remind them of all the good times experienced there with family and friends. One of their favorite activities was to watch the magic of sky reflections on the water as the sun set at the end of the day.

Please keep in mind as you read through my blog, you may click on any picture to see it larger.

Here’s my pen and ink sketch.

The horizon line and distant shore of the lake are drawn first. Then the tree trunks are sketched with a brush dipped in a thin oil mixture of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin Original.

This is going to be a fall scene, so the leaves of the birch trees are washed in with combinations of Cadmium Yellow Medium + Alizarin Crimson + Liquin Original and Cadmium Yellow Medium + Liquin Original. Because the sky will be bright, I plan to make the birch trees dark to provide contrast. They’ll be more yellow when I paint them later but will still remain darker to accentuate the sun warmed clouds.

Pines that have been washed in with Viridian Green + Sap Green + Liquin Original nestle on the slope below the bench swing.

Dioxazine Purple + Liquin Original is used to indicate the Purple Asters blanketing the hillside.

Red Pines grow in the foreground. Their needle like foliage is made of Sap Green + Pthalo Blue + Liquin Original and Sap Green + Liquin Original.

Verbena Stricta or Hoary Vervain is a native Minnesota wildflower that blooms in the fall. The tall blooms are washed in with Magenta + Liquin Original.

I’ve washed this piece in with more color than usual. Just wanted to get an overall feel of the fall foliage and flowers before starting to work in opaque oils. Now we’re all sketched up and ready to begin painting in our next session. Hope you’ll come back to my online studio and follow along!

To make it even easier, 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 Colorful Smiles,

ALL SENKARIK IMAGES PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW

© Senkarik 2024

www.senkarik.com

FLOWERS THAT WILL NEVER FADE!

WOW, April is almost over and Mother’s Day is right around the corner! Mothers are amazing; they are selfless and work tirelessly to nurture their families. This year consider giving “MOM” an original Senkarik “Billboard of Happiness”; a gift that will express your appreciation and love for years to come, long after flowers and candy are gone. This exclusive selection is specially priced just for your Mother’s Day gifting! All you have to do is click on the image of each painting for more information or to make your purchase.

Here are some colorful expressions of LOVE, filled with FLOWERS THAT WILL NEVER FADE, for that awesome Mother in your life! CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE ENTIRE COLLECTION!

“Spring’s Magic”

Let the fragrant flowers and whisper of the Monarch’s delicate wings fill your Mom’s soul with “Spring’s Magic”!

Image 6 inches x 6 inches. Oil Painting on Cradled Panel with 1 1/2 inch sides.

REGULAR PRICE $490   SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE $390 SOLD

“DELIGHTFUL MELODY” 

Does the lady of your home adore Hummingbirds? I know my heart sings with joy when I hear the distinctive squeaks and hums of the zippy little bundles of energy frolicking in our garden. Bring smiles and happiness to the Mother of your children with the “DELIGHTFUL MELODY” of these Hummingbirds’ antics as they dance from blossom to blossom. 

Image 19 inches tall x 9 inches wide. Outside of Senkarik/White Signature Frame is 24 inches tall x 14 inches wide. 

Regular Price  $1,990  SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE  $1,490 SOLD

“Crimson Visitor”

Our “Crimson Visitor”, Mr. Chippers, has flown in to bring joy and happiness to the special Mother in your life!

Image 6 inches x 6 inches. Oil Painting on Cradled Panel with 1 1/2 inch sides.

REGULAR PRICE $490   SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE $390 SOLD

“Peaceful Valley”

Give the gift of RELAXATION with this fragrant, flower filled terrace overlooking the serene Napa vineyards. Butterflies float lazily in the warm sunshine, providing a touch of cheerful whimsy.

“Peaceful Valley” is painted in a GALLERY WRAP STYLE with the image flowing from the front of the 16 inch x 16 inch canvas, over the edge and onto the sides.

Regular Price  $990  SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE  $890 SOLD

“Colorful Chaperone”

Add some zippity-do-dah to your Mother’s home or office with this little Kitty and curious Hummingbird. The Talavera Rooster is a “Colorful Chaperone” with a heart full of love and these flowers will always stay fresh without any care or watering!

Painted Image is 11 inches tall x 7 inches wide. Framed in our Senkarik/White Signature Frame, the outside dimension of “Colorful Chaperone“ is 16 inches tall x 12 inches wide.

Regular Price  $790  SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE  $590

“Dance of Sunlight”

One of the most fascinating and enjoyable times Jack and I had on our trip to Tuscany was watching the “Dance of Sunlight”, playing a delightful visual tune across the Tuscan landscape and stately towers of San Gimignano.

 “Dance of Sunlight” is painted in a gallery wrap style with the image flowing from the front of the 16 inch x 16 inch canvas, over the edge and onto the sides.

Regular Price  $990  SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE  $890 SOLD

“Heartfelt Welcome”

A heart shaped Chili Wreath, sweet smell of Jasmine and sassy Salvia combine to provide a “Heartfelt Welcome”, expressing your love to that wonderful Mom in your life! 

Image 11 inches tall x 11 inches wide. Outside of Senkarik/White Signature Frame is 16 inches tall x 16 inches wide.

Regular Price $790  SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PRICE  $690

Don’t delay, MOTHER’S DAY is May 9th! Give her a Senkarik “Billboard of Happiness” that will make her heart smile for the rest of her life. I’ll be happy to personalize the back of the art for the recipient; please let me know as soon as possible after you make your purchase. 

CLICK HERE To shop the exclusive MOTHER’S DAY COLLECTION of SENKARIK paintings!

Words can’t begin to express my heartfelt appreciation for you being part of my life! Thank you and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

ALL SENKARIK IMAGES ARE PROTECTED UNDER INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW

Autumn is Here…

The cool breezes of fall are so welcome after this summer’s heat. Our garden is perking up, getting ready to bloom again. I love this time of year in Texas. To celebrate let’s begin on an autumn themed piece. Actually this is one of a series of the four seasons. Since it’s fall it seemed quite appropriate to begin with the corresponding piece. One of the neatest things about this commission is I’m working Jeana’s fur babies into the compositions. We start with a pen and ink sketch, my “road map” to follow.

The painting is 14 inches tall by 14 inches wide on a gallery wrapped canvas. The painted image will extend on to the sides. The canvas is attached to a piece of double ply cardboard, it will be easier to handle when it’s wet. The window is lightly sketched with a thin oil wash of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + a liberal amount of Liquin. Then the southwestern style bench is drawn. Notice the perspective lines I use as a guide.

The chili pepper ristras are washed in with Alizarin Crimson + Liquin. I’ll paint over them with opaque oils when the wash is dry. Please remember as you go through my blog, you can click on any of the pictures to see them larger.

Our basic plan is sketched on the canvas. We’ll be applying paint in the next session, hope you’ll come watch. 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! Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

Lazy, Hazy Clouds and a Texas Windmill

Let’s start with the sky. My color mixtures are shown above. #1. White + a touch of Cadmium Orange + a little bit of Ultramarine Blue. #2. Ultramarine Blue + White. #3. Pthalo Blue + White. #4. Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow + White.

VIDEO! First the blue field of the sky is painted. Mix #2 is used toward the top of the canvas while I use mixture #3 closer to the horizon. Then I drag the cloud mixture #1 over the blue. This makes them soft and hazy; they will drop back and not distract from the White Prickly Poppies that will be growing in the foreground.

ANOTHER VIDEO! Painting the windmill into the wet paint of the sky. A thin mix of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin is used.

Live Oaks cover the rolling landscape throughout the Texas Hill Country. The massive trees behind the barn are painted with combinations of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Yellow + White. If you would like to know more about our Double Primary Color Mixing System CLICK HERE.

I love our Texas flag. I make the colors of this one on top of the barn muted, it’s been faded by a few years in the sun.

Thank you for following along, we’ll be working on the Bluebonnet field in our next session. Since we’ve been concentrating on the sky and clouds today I’d like to share a quote from Words to Live By a dear friend of ours sent this morning. “We need some clouds in our life to make a beautiful sunset.” Elaine went on to say, “Have a Great Day. Enjoy the Sunsets……and the sunrises! 🙂  I couldn’t put it better! Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

The Same but Different….

Before we begin today I just wanted to let you know Jack’s latest article has been published on FineArtStudioOnline. CLICK HERE to read LONELY.

OK, let’s get started on the second of the two embellished giclees of The Glory Never Fades. This version is cropped differently, giving us a closer view of the barn. Beginning with the water I change the falls a little bit. Painting a water fall is similar to painting steps, the upright plane of the falling water is darker than the flat pool above. The edge where the water flows over the rocks is the highlighted. To see this better just click on the picture to enlarge the image.

Since Judy and her husband are Texas A and M fans I make the Coreopsis in the left foreground Yellow. Texas Orange would definitely NOT be appropriate for them. For those of you not living in Texas, the A and M Aggies and Texas Longhorns are long time rivals.

One specific request was to add some Maroon flowers in the foreground. You guessed it, Maroon is for Aggies! We took pictures of these Prickley Poppies near our old home a few years ago, they will be perfect.

VIDEO! Painting the Aggie flowers in the foreground.

We’re including a windmill in this version but I place it closer to the front of the barn so the two pieces won’t be the same. My wrist is braced against my mahl stick to keep my hand steady as I paint the details of the blades.

The old, rusty tin roof of the barn is repainted, removing the Texas flag.

Now for the fun part, adding the Texas A and M logo on the roof. The lettering is drawn into the roof while the paint is still wet. By pulling the maroon logo into the white paint it becomes faded, making it appear weathered.

And here we have it, the Aggie version of The Glory Never Fades!

#6/145                                            #7/145

Now you can see the two giclees are the same, but different. This really explains the term “Limited Original” that Jack coined for us several years ago. The two pieces are part of the same edition, but the embellishing makes each one original in its own right. Thus “LIMITED ORIGINALS”. Hugs,

www.Senkarik.com

Santorini Overlook

The doors, windows and dome of the church in the distance are all Cobalt Blue + White. For the gate I add a little Pthalo Blue to the mix. This intensifies the blue, making it jump in front of the ones in the background.

The entire surface of the floor is first covered with mixes of Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Orange + MUD + White. The edge nearest the gate is made more blue so it drops back. Then I pull the wide, white grout lines into the wet paint. Since the terrace is in shadow I use some of the darker shades from the stucco walls in the distance for the grout between the stones.

VIDEO! The wine bottle is blocked in with washes of Sap Green + Liquin and Alizarin Crimson + Liquin. Highlights are “Lifted Out” of the washed in color with a clean brush.

Several of you have asked me to add narration to my videos. I agree with you, that would make them even more helpful. I’m very blessed as an artist, I have empty spots on my gallery walls to fill and several commissions to paint. So at this point I just don’t have the time to do any voice overs, maybe one day in the future. But I sincerely thank you for your suggestions.

After painting the yellow chair behind I begin working on the red bistro table. Cadmium Red Medium + White and Cadmium Red Dark are used. Red, Yellow and Blue, the primary colors of Santorini!

A bunch of grapes, fresh from a nearby vine, completes the setting. Our collector and her husband will be able to enjoy this romantic Santorini Overlook every day on their wall! You can click on the image to view it larger. I appreciate you following along. Hugs,

www.Senkarik.com

 

Mulligan

Those of you who play golf know what a Mulligan is. Read about Jack’s experience “on the links” in his latest article on FineArtStudioOnline. Just CLICK HERE to read Mulligan.

We’re heading for New Mexico today, Chimayo to be exact. I love the Mission there. The basic plan is first sketched on the canvas with a brush dipped in a thin oil wash of MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. Do remember, you can click on any of the images to view them larger.

Here’s the completed sketch.

I’ve decided to make this very early in morning with the sun just peeking over the mountains behind the mission. My colors are mixed and ready to go. #1. MUD + White. #2. MUD + Alizarin Crimson + White. #3. Mix #2 + White. #4. Alizarin Crimson + a little MUD + a touch of Cadmium Red Light + White. #5. Mixture #4 + Cadmium Orange + White. #6. I’ve added more White + a tiny bit of Cadmium Yellow Medium to the Mix in #5.

Let’s get to painting that early morning sky. This is my favorite time of day, a fresh new beginning! Dare I say “A Mulligan”?

The cool morning light skips and dances over the Sage Brush and Chamisa.

Now for the Mission. I brace against the mahl stick to steady my hand as I delineate the fine details.

The warmth of the Red Corn Poppies will POP against the cool, grayed greens in the background. Hope you’ll come back tomorrow to watch them grow. Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

 

 

Spring Time

I just had to share a little of our garden with you today. Remember the Valentine Roses Jack got for me? Well, I think they’re happy. I know I am 🙂 Please keep in mind as you read my blog, you can click on any of the images to see them larger.

We have Irises, Roses, Bluebonnets and Red Corn Poppies. You can see more of our spring garden through the gate. Jack and I designed our gardens. My part time job over the past year has been doing the construction. I still have a little way to go but most of the heavy work is almost done. C’mon, follow me and we’ll check it out.

More Bluebonnets in the Kitchen Garden. If you’d like to see how this looked one year ago CLICK HERE.

The Jerusalem Sage is just starting to burst out in flower. I’ll keep you updated! The pink in the background is one of our Peggy Martin Roses on the arbor.

Here’s the Kitchen Garden from the window. I get to enjoy this view as I’m cooking.

Doesn’t Swannee add a neat touch to this little vignette? It won’t be long before the Sweet Potato Vine and Marigolds grow up and fill out the Talavera planter. This “Peggy” is really beginning to fill out with blooms.

We’ll go ’round the back to the Redbud Garden. Rosie (Green Leaves on the left) and Ruby (Magenta Leaves on the right) are doing quite well. They are both Forest Pansy Redbud Trees, not sure why they look so different. Could be Ruby is more mature, the leaves are supposed to be this deep red-purple color. The red flowers on the left are Salvia Greggii.

Yellow Irises nestle near the base of Rosie.

Looking from the Redbud garden back to the studio and the Fountain Courtyard. Tomatoes are planted in the bed that extends along the end of the deck to the right.

This arbor will also be covered with Peggy Martin Roses. Want to see how this looked when we moved here? Just CLICK HERE.

RadRazz Knock Out Roses and Arizona Sun Gaillardias. The unusual Sweet Potato Vine is called Chipolte! It’s a mix of Lime Green and deep Purple. You can click on the picture to see it larger. Confederate Jasmine will grow up on the trellis behind the fountain and cascade over the fence. It will be in full bloom in a couple of weeks, the fragrance will be wonderful. So that’s our garden! Hope you enjoyed a little of our spring finery. Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com

Tranquil Retreat

Our Red Corn Poppies are in FULL BLOOM! Just in time to model for our painting today. The Irises, Valentine Roses and Bluebonnets are also looking wonderful. You can click on the picture to see it larger.

Here are the colors I’ll use to paint the poppies. #1. Pthalo Blue + White. #2. Cadmium Red Deep #3. Cadmium Red Deep + Alizarin Crimson.#4. Cadmium Red Light. #5. Pthalo Blue + Liquin. #6. Three shades of green mixed with Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow.

The video above shows the initial block in, I’m working in reverse of my usual sequence: Flowers First, Leaves Last. Since the Poppies dance above the foliage I block in the leaves first. If the screen doesn’t show up just click on the link to view the video.

The thick paint of the Poppies is gently “Laid” on top of the underlying leaves. When my brush picks up any of the green paint I wipe if off with toilet tissue before continuing. This way the flower color stays bright and clean.

PRESTO, Red Corn Poppies have popped up!

Let’s get those monogrammed rockers ready for the Rooster to perch on. I’ve added a little Cadmium Red Light into the mixtures left over from the satillo tile floor to paint the chairs.

Now for our Rooster, we’ll have him ready to crow in no time!

Tranquil Retreat            30 inches by 40 inches       Original Oil Painting

AND…..Tranquil Retreat is ready for our collectors to sit in the shade of the Wisteria and enjoy the view. Although they may have to shoo the Rooster away to get a seat! Lots of Hugs,

http://www.senkarik.com