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The Painting Process - A Quest for Answers

10/31/2020

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Sunset painting with boats in Connecticut by Linda S Marino
Tides are Changing Study, Stony Creek, Branford, CT, 9 x 12, oil on canvas panel, framed, available
Tides are Changing Study was done on location at Stony Creek village. This is one of my favorite places to paint and I often talk about it in my blog posts, but this time I'd like to share about my painting process.

Painting from life is truly the best way to learn to paint. Back in 2012 when I started painting again, I would set up still life arrangements in my studio and paint small paintings 6 x 6 inches up to 12 x 12 inches. I was able to complete 2-3 small paintings a week even with a busy schedule of shuffling kids around from school to activities.  Reflecting now this training was vital when it came time to paint en plein air. I didn't know this at the time, because  plein air painting wasn't even on my radar. I was enjoying these small still life pieces. posting and sharing on Daily paintwork art gallery and displaying them in a local coffee shop. 

It was in the spring of 2012 that one day after dropping off my step daughter at elementary school I pulled into the driveway and looked over at our garden and decided, that's it I have to paint this. I had a portable easel used a TV table and set up right in the driveway. I can remember that day so clearly because it was the absolute best feeling to be outside capture this incredible scene in real life, not from a photo. 

Transitioning from studio painting to painting en plein air can present a new set of challenges for any painter. With weather changes, wind shifts, clouds moving and the sun is always on the move, no wonder it's easy to get frustrated.  

This night a Stony Creek the sky had this beautiful pinkish orange glow, and just as the sun was setting it looked like it would be a magnificent sunset. Like so many we had seen before. But that wasn't the case tonight. The purplish blue clouds rolled in and eclipsed the sun and blanketed the sky leaving only a sliver of that gorgeous color to poke through. 

This is when I had to make a decision, did I go with what I original saw or should I modify the painting to match what I saw before me. From past experience and many failed pieces, I have found it best to stay with the original vision, to the best of my ability. It's hard because that means you need to rely on your memory for color and your sketches for shapes. And that's exactly what I did. 

 The next morning I worked a little bit more on the plein air study back in my studio with a few quick glances at the photo references. Which were really not that much help because they didn't capture the beauty that I saw with my own eyes. 

I knew I wanted to turn this piece into a large painting. I had 30 x 36 canvas available and started the "block in" or first layer. This is one of my favorite stages, it moves quickly and within an hour I have the base down. Like a skeleton, it's the bones of the painting. From there I start to work the larger areas, the sky, clouds and water.  It was when I got to the details of the boats and the houses on the islands I found myself stuck.

My small plein air piece didn't give me enough information, nor did the photos. So that night we head over  to Stony Creek just about the same time the night before. But this time the sun was just too bright, the glare was too strong and the photos were completely washed out. 

On to plan B, the next morning I headed back again around 8am, I knew the lighting would be completely different but my goal was to spend an hour just sitting on the dock with my sketchbook in hand drawing just the boats, islands and houses.  

Back to the easel I go, I had enough information to tackle just about all the missing pieces but the lobster boat in the foreground.  Since the boat was turned the other direction I couldn't get a clear view inside and at the angle I thought was just right. 

So, what did I do, yep, I headed back to Stony Creek the next day hoping the star of the show would be in the right place to capture another sketch. No chance, I did a few sketches waited about a half an hour to see if it would turn but it wouldn't budge.

 Plan C, I hopped in my car, drove down the street, parked my car in front of the library and walked down Hull's Point Road. Peaking between each house to see if I could capture the lobster boat in just the right angle. I truly hope the neighbors weren't watching me.  And then I spotted it, I had to hold my camera up high in the air to shoot a photo over the dock in the foreground but I did it! Back to the studio I go!

With this last round of reference photos I was able to complete the painting. What an adventure but so worth the effort. I'm so thrilled with the way this painting came out and now, I'm ready to start another!

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Thanks for reading and enjoying the creative process with me - it's always nice to have fellow sojourners to travel with -


PS. Are you on the mailing list? click here to join - to receive up-to-date information on latest works and shows. 

PSS - Do you know we are planning to have the Shoreline Arts Trail Open Studios 2020? Join the mailing list to hear more about the Open Studios and to reserve your space for a studio visit. We have over 24 artists from Branford, Madison and Guilford participating this year. 

PSSS. - Do you hear about Artists Sunday?

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Artists Sunday is the nationwide movement dedicated to supporting artists and recognizing the impact they have in enriching our lives, communities and the economy.

the powerful new effort is designed to make the Sunday after Thanksgiving the most profitable day of the year for artists. Consumers are encouraged to shop with artists and purchase creative, handcrafted gifts for the holidays. Artists Sunday follows Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, prior to Cyber Monday.

This is such great news since 2020 has been such a challenging year for most artists since shows, exhibitions, fairs and festivals have all been canceled. 

Purchase one of kind original art as gifts for those on your shopping list is one of the best ways to say I love you!

Go here to visit the website and artist directory
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Late September Sail at Meig's Point, Hammonasset, Madison, CT

10/26/2020

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Painting of Meig's Point Hammonasset Madison by Linda S Marino
Past the Point, Meig's Point, Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT, acrylic on canvas 18 x 24", framed, available
This piece was created on location at Hammonasset State Park. I met up with my friends Lorraine and John on Sunday. We painted for most of the day. The sky was bright and with no clouds in the direction that I was facing. I was able to complete at half of the underpainting and drawing.

The next I returned for another three hours. I bumped into a few of my friends from another art group, the Hamden Art League and we all painted in close proximity. It was so nice to see them, It's been almost one year since I saw them last. This year has been a crazy year, even though we're finding ways to cope with the social distancing and isolation due to Covid, I still miss the freedom of our casual gatherings.

The second clouds filled the sky. I painted them in but upon returning back to my studio they seem to be competing with the rocks. So, I painted over the clouds to clear blue sky again and I think it will start that way.

What I love about painting rocks is that the more you see and observe them the more colors seem to appear. They may start off as a dull neutral gray but over time I see more and more colors come out. From muted violets to warm burnt Sienna oranges, even greens and a few pinks here and there.


Painting Details:

18 x 24" acrylic on canvas
  • price includes frame, framing options are available
  • free shipping in the US or free delivery in Connecticut
  • certificate of authenticity
  • 7 day return policy 
  • link here for online store

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Doing the Happy Dance! SAT 2020 Open Studios are on!

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Shoreline Arts Trail is on for 2020 with a virtual gallery on the website and links to schedule one-on-one studio visit with the Shoreline Art Trail artists. 

Over 25 artists from Branford, Guilford and Madison will be participating in the Open Studios this year. Here's the link to register for and Open Studio Visit:
www.Shoreline Arts Trail. com


Buying art as a gift or for yourself always makes you happy! 
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Linda Marino  Live Wedding Painter and Event Painter from Branford, CT serving the New England, New York and New Jersey area. 

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