"Rooke Chapel", Spring 9x12

"Rooke Chapel"
Original Sold 

9"x12" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Arches 10"x14"block

Finally finished the Rooke Chapel on Bucknell University campus.

I did the final tweeks yesterday.
Prints available soon

"Rooke Chapel",#4 complete, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel" #4 complete

12"x16" Oil on canvas

Finally.  This is the finished version of Rooke Chapel from the Feb. 4th post.

Bucknell University is three blocks away.  I'm planning on doing some plein air 

painting there this summer. 

Rooke Chapel #5, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel #5" Bucknell University

8"x8" Fluid100 140# Cold Press paper

Back on the project of finding the best layout for Bucknell's Rooke Chapel. 

Rooke Chapel #4, Bucknell University (Part 1)

First 2 sessions painting "Rooke Chapel".

I hope to show the completion next Wednesday. 

Preliminary watercolor sketch (1/25/2015) 

in Canson XL Mix Media 7"x10" Sketchbook 

I was trying to figure out the colors of spring using a photo graph I took last month.

There is a light coating of snow in my reference photo.

Oil sketch on gessoed canvas. 12"x16" (1/28/2015)

I used thinned burnt sienna to tone the canvas, sketched the image with a small brush,

and wiped out the highlights with a soft paper towel.  

I am using water-soluble oils. I am slowly getting used to them.

First layer of color. 

I used slightly thicker paint to begin applying colors of the building. 

 A light value has been applied to the lower sky to define the background tree shapes.

Darks have been added to the forward trees and roads. 

Second session - Next layer. (2/4/2015)

I reapplied the brick color to the church, blocked in the background trees, established the weeping cherry tree near the chapel, blocked in some more shadows and foliage. 

Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University #3

"Rooke Chapel" 

8"x8" watercolor on Fluid100 140# cold press

Another view of Rooke Chapel.  This one is as I photographed the building. 

I did not try to paint this one as spring or summer.  

Rooke Chapel #2, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel #2"

8"x8" original watercolor on Fluid100 140#Cold Press

The brick University sign looks a bit wonky. In my reference photo, the bottom of the sign is cut of by the highway.   I took the shot from the car, across the highway from Bucknell.  I was stopped at the traffic light.  I liked that the elements are all compressed from this angle.   

Rooke Chapel, Bucknell University #1

"Rooke Chapel #1

Original watercolor on Fluid 100, Cold Press, 8"x8"

I just got this block of paper yesterday.  It seems pretty good.  Does not lift as easily as Arches paper, but I like the size of the block. 

I got a commission to paint Rooke Chapel on the Bucknell campus.  I took a load of photos, but there is snow on the ground and the client would prefer a spring/summer look.  This is the first of several smaller paintings to work out the composition and the color bugs.  I am imagining the trees leafed out.   I did a few tests in my sketchbook but this is the first on "real" paper.  I plan to do another small painting for tomorrow.