A landscape painting I worked on for a few mornings.

[femmedem]

I wasn't expecting to be able to finish this today--the weather forecast was for a gray day--but the light was unexpectedly beautiful, the weather was crisp but not cold, and it was a joy to spend time outside painting. It's larger than my usual little studies: 12 x 24 inches. For the past few years, most of my paintings have just been exercises to learn the craft but I feel as if I'm starting to find myself as an artist.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is just beautiful, my dear femmedem!

The foliage looks just as it should, and I love the colors.

It's a lovely scene! Keep on keepin' on!

[femmedem]

2. Thank you! You're always so encouraging.

I'm a fan of your photos, too!

I didn't expect to be getting better at something at my age, so this is an unexpected joy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Well, how sweet of you! You're never too old to get better at things.

I don't know how old you are, but I'll be 78 next month and I'm still learning bunches of things!

[femmedem]

6. Well, that gives me hope. I'm still a few months shy of sixty.

I have a lot of dementia in my family so I don't know how long my brain will function well.

[apcalc]

4. Love those colors!

[femmedem]

7. Thank you! Those reds were even more vivid in real life.

Here in Southeastern Connecticut it's one of the most beautiful weeks of the year.

[LiberalLoner]

5. Oh this is beautiful! Brava! I want to paint like you someday! Is this pastel or oils?

You did such a magnificent job, I feel as if I am there, feeling the crisp morning air!❤️❤️❤️

[femmedem]

8. Thank you so much!

Coming from you, that means a lot to me because I don't think I could capture light the way you do with your pastels.
This is an oil painting but I use the water-mixable oils so I don't need a toxic solvent. I just use a medium designed to work with these---the oil is emulsified, as is the binder in the paints--and I can clean my brushes with soap and water.

[LiberalLoner]

10. Oh it's beautiful! Thank you so much for the compliment! Winsor and Newton water mixable?

[femmedem]

12. No, I don't like W&N's water-mixable oils. Too stiff for me.

I use Daniel Smith and Cobra, both highly pigmented and buttery soft.

[LiberalLoner]

14. Ah, thank you so much! 😍

[Diamond_Dog]

9. That's beautiful, femmedem!

I particularly like your brush strokes and your use of color.

It’s SO enjoyable to be able to set up and paint outdoors, isn’t it?

I’m trying my hand at painting, as well, after several decades of not doing any. It’s really fun to get excited over working on a piece - I think the biggest hurdle is just getting started!

I hope you post more of your paintings, I’d enjoy seeing them.

[femmedem]

11. Thank you! And I love painting outside, too. My portable easel was the best investment I made.

I also didn't paint for decades and started up again in 2019. Nothing clears my head like spending a few hours painting. I hope it brings you as much joy as it brings me. And I can't wait to see your work!

And if it isn't anything you want to show anyone yet, don't worry: my work has come a long way in these past few years and I'm sure you'll progress quickly, too.

[Fla Dem]

13. What a beautiful creation. You HAVE talent!

[femmedem]

19. Thank you, Fla Dem!

Forty years ago I studied painting in college and started painting again a few years ago. I wasn't a great student but I am learning more now.

[karin_sj]

15. That is so beautiful!

I am in awe of your talent!

[femmedem]

20. Oh thank you.

You know, my dad was a child prodigy pianist and I used to be too intimidated to even sit down at our piano if anyone was home. It seemed as if he had some magical talent that eluded me. But really, I wasn't there for all of his years of learning and practice. Painting, I don't know, maybe there's some talent involved. But I think it has more to do with practice, exposure and study.

[tenderfoot]

16. Nice!

[femmedem]

21. Thank you!

I'm glad you like it.

[nuxvomica]

17. Remarkably soulful for a highway landscape

The way you manage to give depth and perspective as the eye is drawn to the distant details on the right gives me a sense of yearning somehow. Here is nature, expansive and content, despite the ribbon of civilization that cuts through it.

[femmedem]

23. Thank you so much. Mr. Femmedem and I laugh because I always see places to paint while driving.

I always want to set up an easel in the middle of the highway.

But seriously, I love the juxtaposition of nature and the manmade. Maybe it's just a visual thing: the soft forms of nature vs. the right angles of the manufactured. But I think it's something else, too, that you hint at in your comment.

[Beartracks]

18. That's beautifully done. I could even tell the morning was crisp but not cold!

You captured the light really well.

=======

[femmedem]

24. Thanks so much. That light was the inspiration.

It was hard to capture since it was changing so fast. Every morning the foreground would be in full shadow when I arrived at 8:30 and would be in full sparkling sunlight when I left at 10:00ish.

[radical noodle]

22. You have a lot of talent

this is lovely, and I like the adding of the traffic signs. It could almost be a photograph it's so well done.

[femmedem]

25. Thank you, Radical Noodle.

I love adding the detritus of civilization--telephone poles, street lights, etc.--to my landscapes.

[sinkingfeeling]

26. Very nice.

[femmedem]

30. Thank you!

[c-rational]

27. Lovely femmedem, and the shading in the grass fields is a masterful touch. I should start.

[femmedem]

31. I hope you do start!

It's a skill, like anything, so don't think you can't do it if you're initially disappointed with the results.
And drawing is the foundation for painting, and drawing supplies don't cost much.

[MLAA]

28. You certainly have found yourself!

I love the softness yet still definition. I think you have done a marvelous job. It looks so free!

[femmedem]

32. Oh thank you!

I just took an online class with Zoey Frank (well, I watched an online class that had been recorded) and one of the things that struck me is that she stays loose the whole time she is painting. She paints objects out, adds new objects all throughout the process. So that helped keep me from getting too precious with this one.

I love her work. https://zoeyfrank.com/

[MLAA]

36. Her work is beautiful!

I take lessons and my teacher has said a least a dozen times to keep it loose!

[panader0]

29. I like this very much.

You have a talent. Recommended.

[femmedem]

33. Thank you!

I appreciate that. And especially during the pandemic, it's nice to have a supportive online community.

[panader0]

34. I'm no art expert, but my first thought was Camille Pissaro.

Look at some of Pissaro's stuff and see what you think.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Pissarro

[femmedem]

35. Funny you should say that! My parents had a print of a Pissaro painting when I was growing up.

I love his work, so thank you again.

[panader0]

37. Perhaps the print made an 'impression' on you.

[femmedem]

38. Ha ha! Good one. n/t