Author: Ken

The evening light is so pretty–and dramatic. Lighting up these seasonally early irises that popped up in my yard.

as if flowers aren’t already hard—oh the translucence of the sun shining through

Here’s the underpainting – i have to work fast while the sun is setting–no time for a composition sketch

I am looking towards the sun, so color choices are really tricky, but I think i have something that will work

oh my gosh!!! that was crazy and fun!!! Painting while looking towards the sun–talk about a chaos palette!!!

First Irises 2024
6×8″ oil on board
Painted by direct observation:
no photos, technology or Ai used

To celebrate a beautiful morning, I’m going to try and capture the vibrance and joy of these poppies. I’ll work from direct observation: no photos, no technology, absolutely zero ai.

i scratched out a simple composition…I like the cluster of poppies in the foreground, then tall blades of grass, and poppies in the distance. A bee is floating between the different flowers. stay tuned to see if miss b makes the cut

All my big panels are in my studio, but I was lucky to have some little 6x8s laying around in my car. For this underpainting, I’ve used my biggest brush -to keep from getting lost in details…on my smallest panel size. it might not make sense right now, but color is what will hold this painting together…that’s the next step!!! Stay tuned!

Maybe it would be easier to work from a photo. the flowers are Constantly moving, blowing with the wind…and then the SUN moves too1-changing everything. But there is nothing like being outside + a part of the world I am trying to capture with paint.  I *think* I have a color scheme worked out, but it keeps changing: at this point, I’m going to trust my eyes, and go with it!

the wind decided to obliterate one of my models!!!! oh the carnage!!!

Well, im truly a Sunday painter! What a nice way to start the day! In nature with my paints (and Facebook friends!!!). Hope you all have a great day! Pop goes the poppy!! 6×8 oil on panel

Good evening! theres Nothing like the warm late afternoon sunshine. Going to try and capture it (and these tulips) with some oil paint!

afternoon light changes fast, so no time to fuss around. Here’s my composition-let’s get it started!

Values (dark and light) worked out. Time for color! This painting is all about the bright yellow flowers, so all decisions made will be to support that yellow.

I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower

I have a color scheme worked out…now it’s all about the details…and a race to get them on the board before the sun gets any lower

As if the quickly changing evening sun isn’t challenge enough: NOBODY TOLD ME THEY WERE GOING TO CLOSE THEIR PETALS ONCE THE SUN WENT DOWN!!!! That was a surprise! Well, regardless, I had a wonderful time painting from direct observation: no photos, no tech, no ai: is nothing like working from life…bugs and all!!! Clever titles welcome – oil on board, 6×12”

It’s lunch time, and these asparagus are ready to eat! It’s been a good year for asparagus so far, so I want to celebrate the bounty with a painting! 

I have a composition worked out. The drawing on the left is close to the values (dark and light) I want to capture, but the sketch on the right is closer to the composition I want. I want to emphasize the height of the asparagus. A panoramic proportioned board will help. Ok painting time!

The underpainting is roughed out. I used a combination of yesterday’s leftover paint and some violet and Veridian (green). Now it’s time to put colors in!!!

I have a color scheme worked out. A lot of artists find GREEN to one of the more difficult colors to mix. Well, this is a green plant with a green background. I’m living my dream, and I am the one who picked this subject, so will try not to be a crybaby and complain.

Ok! That’s a wrap!!! I really want to title this “kiss my asparagus” what do you think? 6×12” oil on board

Hi there! It’s been awhile since we’ve painted live. These tulips arent going to get any prettier, so let’s paint them today!!!

Worked out a few thumbnail sketches…going to go with the bottom left sketch. Let’s paint!

The underpainting…boy is it windy!!! Let’s get some color on the panel!

Some color down…now to work the colors into a harmony without losing my mind

My painting buddy says he thinks it looks good enough. I think he just wants to get out of this wind. A few more touches and it’ll be finished!

Threes company 6×8”
oil on panel

Did I show you all this little oil painting I made earlier this week when up on federal hill with the Wednesday painting group?

Its the carriage house to the north of the main house: loved how the dogwood tree contrasted with the shady side of the building.

Unfortunately, the wind was too bad to paint from life, so we made sketches and took photos, then worked in the studio.

8×10 oil on canvas

Some step by step progress photos of the oil painting of the Market House Theatre I made the other day while visiting Paducah, Kentucky: very friendly and artsy river town.

Looking forward to visiting again!

Greetings while plein air painting from the ’other’ side of the Ohio River: Fort Massac, Illinois. This is where Lewis and Clark stayed for 3 days on their trip out west-they recruited their interpreter here.

Created with photos or technology—painted directly from observation and my emotional response: while the wind blew, and the shadows crept up the buildings. One building a little skinnier than it should be, but I wanted to squeeze it all in.

Hope you all had a great weekend.