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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Virtual Paintout - Denmark - September 2012


The Virtual Paintout took us to Zealand in Denmark this month. At first I followed the coastline and checked out the picturesque harbours:  birds, boats, children -- but unfortunately always with overcast skies.  So I moved inland and selected a sunny landscape: 


"62 Sorøvej, Sjælland, Denmark"
13x18cm, oil on canvas
(private collection, Brussels)

The deadline for submissions was approaching yet I was determined to tackle something bigger. I thought I'd go back and paint a harbour but then ran across some springtime scenes with blossoming fruit trees.  I was ready to go when I turned a corner and the season changed to autumn. The Google image said "October 2010" -- how appropriate!  The light was just right -- casting long shadows of the trees that were starting to turn yellow and pink:

Link to reference photo in Google.


"Early Autumn in Denmark"
40x40cm, oil on canvas



Place(s) à l'art - septembre 2012



Place(s) à l'Art septembre 2012
20x20 cm, oil on canvas
(private collection, Brussels)

Saturday, September 29, 2012

River and Canal - August 2012



Working on a tan and painting at the same time is no easy feat -- not only are you blinded by the sun but you're usually not getting the best view at the best time of day. Yet I was determined to get some sun during my visit to the US.  This year there was a further problem:  a new breed of mosquitoes that attack in broad daylight (also extremely abundant and potential carrier of West Nile Virus).  So I learned to apply "Deep Woods", set up anti-bug candles, and combine this with various degrees of sun block.  

"August in Yardley" (Delaware River in the distance)
23x30cm, oil on canvas



I also tried putting together an extremely lightweight oil sketching kit that I could carry around effortlessly.  Since I rarely have more than an hour or two to paint, this could be a solution for me because, while sketching is fun, I really miss oil painting. I tried it out on the canal in Yardley and when I was almost ready to go home, a man came by to fish -- providing the perfect final touch!

"The Canal"
20x20 cm, oil on canvas


Technical note (to myself):  Squeeze out some paint in small plastic box before going out / bring small tubes of extra paint (in plastic sandwich bag), a few brushes, a rag, a newspaper, turpentine, a small canvas, all in a lightweight backpack / apply mosquito repellent / take bike and find a bench with a view / lean the canvas against the backpack (easels are too heavy) and apply paint quickly but stay concentrated.  For the trip home, place the small canvas in the bottom of a grocery bag (paper bag inside and plastic bag outside) face up - this works as a makeshift lightweight wet canvas carrier (and can be attached to the handlebar of the bike).

Link to photo of my plastic box (leave the wooden box at home - too heavy): plastic box