4th Concession, Orono (11 x 14) oil, by Carol Berry, copyright 2008
Here’s another painting done of a farm on Concession 4. This is the extra scenic road that leads to the campground where we spend all our summer weekends. Just like the previous painting posted, I actually painted this from a photo enlargement while camping at a different location.
Working from digital photos can be helpful, I have the advantage of shooting in 16 bit camera raw which allows more post control of the exposure of the shot. I am also able to both frame the scene with the camera viewfinder as well as with the crop tool in Photoshop. The third advantage is that I can reduce the amount of detail in the photograph with Photoshop filters, which helps to inform me about the basic forms in the scene and allows me to pre-visualize my vision of the final painting.
To the above process I am looking forward to adding plein air studies done on location. This winter I’ve read a lot of books about landscape painting and next weekend I am going to a painting workshop that I hope will kick me into gear and get me outside painting plein air when the weather warms.
I think I can feel the summer warmth flow out of this painting. Maybe I'll just bask in it's glow a little longer.
I must admit I'm intrigued and intimidated by the plein air painting. But the weather is warming up, I'm sure you'll be out there soon.