Painters Should Not Be Bored

Indian Summer
Oil on Canvas Panel
6 x 6 in/15.2 x 15.2 cm
Copyright Byrne Smith 2018

Before the month was completely gone, I wanted to post again. I've had a slow week or two getting going with my painting. I don't know why, but suspect it's painting ennui, that is, boredom and lethargy.

The only way I know how to break the cycle is to paint and paint some more. So that's what I did this week.

I also decided to use a different medium than what I've been using of late. I switched to water-soluble oils rather than my usual acrylics. That did help since you use them differently, not altogether differently but enough to make it more interesting. The ennui was overcome, at least for now.

I decided to paint a little impressionistic landscape before the seasons changed completely. Hope you like it.

Painters should not be bored.

Seascapes and Beach/Water Scenes

Beachy
Acrylic on Canvas Panel
 6 x 6 in/15.2 x 15.2 cm
Byrne Copyright 2018

One thing I like about seascapes and beach/water scenes is that there is an unlimited number of combinations between the color of the sky and the color of the water. There are a myriad of reasons, such as the time of day, the weather, the season, the geographic location, and the surrounding landscape, if any.

What attracted me to today's image was the contrast between the predominantly ultramarine blue of the sky and the cerulean/pthalo green of the water near the coast. Beautiful, and it also helps set the mood, bright and sunny, a winning combination.

Beach scenes also keep the painter on his toes by having to create the correct color of the sand at the location of the painting. Similar to the reasons mentioned above, the types and colors of sand around the world are almost limitless.

The sand in today's painting was mixed with primarily titanium white, but you have to add very small amounts of cad yellow light and and cad red light, along with a dab of ultramarine blue to help gray down the other three colors slightly. I always forget that until I notice that something with the sand is not quite right.

I hope you like it and that you will paint your share of beach/water scenes.

A Time to Reflect with an Autumn Landscape

Central Coast
Acrylic on Canvas Panel
14 x 11in/35.6 x 27.9 cm
Copyright Byrne Smith 2018

As summer turns into autumn, I wanted to paint a landscape that celebrates the changing seasons. This after not posting in September while I was figuring out what to paint next and where to take my painting.

This time for reflection has happened before, and I'm sure it will happen again. I feel sure it happens to most painters at some time. Neither a slump nor a retreat, it feels more like reaching a plateau, and now it's time to take stock and move on.

I now feel clear-headed about continuing on my path of painting acrylic landscapes and seascapes. although I may try painting on larger supports soon.

I hope you take some time to reflect on your work now and then.