Tuscan Steps

This is the latest addition to my "Colors of Tuscany" body of work. I saw a photograph of a some quaint little villas sometime ago. This composition is of the stair portion of one of the villas. I actually created some texture on the canvas with some heavy gesso and a bristle brush prior to applying any paint. I was hoping to be able to better depict the texture of the hand-applied stucco through this method ... a total experiment to be sure! I was pleasantly surprised, being able to make the stucco actually look like the real thing! I guess an old dog can be taught a new trick from time to time! Enjoy ...

Paulilne Creek Falls

This is another beautiful place in Oregon known as Pauline Creek Falls. As I have added to my body of work on waterfalls during the past few months, I have really enjoyed learning how to paint these incredible icons of nature! Through this experience, I have learned a little more each time how to create the depth and mist associated with moving and falling water ... very fulfilling! Acrylic on canvas 18" x 18"

Paris Rain

I recently had a request to do a black and white painting of Paris or France for one of my collectors. I had never painted in black and white before, so I decided to do a "test run" before attempting her commission.

In fact, I don't even use the color "black" from a tube on my palette at all ... I mix my darker colors in harmony with each painting to achieve a black-like effect. This way, I don't get just a "dead color" from a tube, but "living" color that compliments each painting's color scheme.

So, I mixed up a pile of my "black" and just added white gesso to the edges of this pile as I went along to create the different values needed for the piece. I discovered that extreme monochromatic paintings are more difficult than I first imagined! It was a very fun project, however, and I learned a lot!



Hope you enjoy it as well! Acrylic on canvas 12" x 24"