Snowy Hufnagle Park Gazebo, Lewisburg PA

"Snowy Gazebo"
(Sold)

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano acquarello 140# extra white block

Time is short today so I painted a mini.  My reference photo is from last February.  

The Lewisburg Ice Festival is this weekend and I felt like painting something in 

the spirit of the event.  I think I will have to do a larger version of this when I have more time.

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.

Selfie for the Road, watercolor by Jane Albin

"Selfie for the Road"

12"x15" Watercolor on 140# Arches Bright White

I won First Place for the Quick Draw event last May with this watercolor in Camp Hill PA.  Part of the prize package was an ad in Plein Air Magazine.  I suddenly realized that I was going to actually publish my new web site since it is listed in the ad.  OH NO!!!

Well I have the web site up and running as of two days ago.  It still needs some tweaking and a lot more work but I guess it is an acceptable beginning.   If you want to check it out, the web address is www.janealbin.com.

About the picture.
I wanted to do something with reflections and the Airstreams were calling me. They were behind a wonderful eatery, the Cornerstone Cafe, on the main street of Camp Hill.  I staked out my location to paint two hours before the quickdraw start, and went in and had breakfast some fellow artists.  Then we all left to paint.  Halfway through the piece I was sweating, frustrated, and wondering what I had been thinking trying to paint these ridiculous things that I could not finish in time…  aaaggghhhh!!!!
Not to mention the clouds rolling by changing the shadows every few seconds.

So here are the pictures from that day.  I was truly surprised when I won. (I thought the judge only liked oil paintings.)    Next time please remind me to "take off that ridiculous hat"!

Painting Your Way Out Of A Corner - by Barbara Diane Barry

I have to admit, when I saw this title in the new books section of my library, I did a double take.

I reread the title and finally decided to take it home for a more thorough review.  The paint brushes on the cover got to me.  I am always looking for new art books at my library.  This book looked like it had fun little exercises to do.  (I like assignments that are never due.) Who knows I could learn something.

This book is by Barbara Diane Barry.  She does workshops for people who are creatively stuck. 

The exercises start out simple and easy and fun. These are not at all what I usually paint. I used pan gouache paints in a Canson XL series Mixmedia sketchbook (9x12inches, 98lb.) 

        

Then the assignments got personal.  Paint your inner critic.  Paint your physical hurts.  Paint someone or something bothering you. They can be monsters or shapes. Real or symbolic.

I was going to quit doing the exercises here, but a friend goaded me into continuing on.

            

Then we drew an oval and made a face, sort of. You could turn it into something else. Then make stick figures.  (The Olympics were on TV, can you tell?)

 
  

Now paint something from the inside looking out, or reversed.  Next paint a container and fill it with your perceived problems.  Make someone hold it and dispose of them (say dropping them in a hole).

     

I did not show you all the paintings I did. The last picture is of a perfect world, my vision. 

Okay and I forgot to flip it in the scanner.

I can say this book was fun and got me to paint a lot of things I never would have thought of.  At certain parts I was aggravated and wanted to stop.  She went into a bit more detail than I like about how our brains function.  Her main focus is getting you unstuck.  I am rarely blocked. My problem is usually editing the multitude of projects I am working on. 

Thanks Ms. Barry! It was fun.