Feeling the Sunlight on My Face

Another day, another quick study as I continue learning about mood and atmosphere in landscape oil painting.

Although this is only a quick study, I was very pleased with how it came out. I’ve learned that I enjoy using predominantly warm colors — warm oranges, deep reds, yellows, and greens — and that I can really bring these colors out by pairing them up with cool shadows.

I love the feeling of light I was able to achieve with only a few brushstrokes of cadmium yellow light.

I spent several minutes working on the sky. I began with a warm cerulean blue, then added lighter clouds — not white, but white mixed with a bit of a transparent oxide red. I then created cooler shadows by blending in areas of ivory black.

Sometimes my quick studies leave me gritting my teeth a bit, or rolling my eyes. But sometimes a quick study makes me happy. That’s what this one has done. I’m happy because I do like this painting. I’m happy because even though this was only a very quick painting, it shows promise, I think. Most of all, I like this quick study because it makes me feel something. I can truly feel the light and the shadows. This painting — simple as it is — makes me feel that I’m there, feeling the sunlight on my face, and maybe feeling a slight breeze blowing through the trees.

Yes, I like this quick painting. I hope you like it, too.