Long Shadows at Los Olivos Private Collection

In 2008 we spent almost 2 months traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway visiting the small village of Los Olivos, California taking time to explore the  surrounding countryside while there. I’ve included the photo of the beautiful scene we found on that clear, sunlit day. I was especially taken with the long shadows that fell down the hillside and that became the inspiration for my painting. It was beautiful to be able to stand looking down on the splendid scene that was to become the painting I call Long Shadows at Los Olivos.

To begin I loosely sketched the composition on an 18×24 tones canvas laying in value and shadow with thinned Burnt Umber. More warmth was added with additional layers of yellow and orange where needed to depict the sunlight. These warm colors will shine through subsequent layers of paint to help describe the feeling of that special day. A soft cloth dipped in mineral spirits was used to wipe back to the light canvas to further assign sun struck areas. Thin color is worked over the entire painting not staying in any one place for too long. I don’t allow myself to think about or add any detail at this point instead waiting until all large areas have been massed in and warm and cool color placed.

In an effort to cover all the canvas I continue blocking in color keeping in mind value and color relationships. The yellow under painting looks too bright now but  will sparkle through adding warmth and color harmony through out the painting. I continue to refine the painting by adjusting values and temperatures relationships and finally work on detail which I always save until last.

Perfectly Peaceful Pacific 18x24 Original Watercolor Painting

After doing a small original watercolor painting of this peaceful scene I knew I wanted to paint it in a larger size.”Perfectly Peaceful Pacific” came into view as we made our way down the Pacific Coast Highway between Westport and Fort Bragg, California. The Crimson red wild flowers that lined both sides of the old two lane road first caught my eye and would compliment the greens I  plan to use. This painting was a joy to paint and mentally took me back to that beautiful sunlit day. Even though my photo does not show up the Pacific in the distance very well, it was no problem to elevate it’s importance in my painting. Our next travel adventure takes us to the Southwest stopping first in Santa Fe, NM before going on to visit the nearby National Parks, Pennsylvania and the Florida Gulf Coast. We leave on June 2nd for 6 weeks of travel in search of new inspiration for original paintings.

Visit my Blog for more about my travels in search of beautiful places to paint.

California Road Less Traveled Watercolor Study

My inspiration!