Michaelis Ranch Field Study No. 2, 8 x 10
The rising terrain to the right of this composition intrigued me after getting a close look at it earlier in the day. It's full of cactus, scrub oak, brambles and live oak, with pockets of spring grasses that just light up from a distance when the sun peaks through the clouds. This type of terrain is typical of central Texas, along what is known as the Balcones Escarpment. This study is another very rough one, but I think I did a better job with the values here, than in today's first attempt.
One other note worth mentioning. Sharon Michaelis, along with ONE long-trusted hand, for all practical purposes ranch this land and its two hundred plus head of cattle by themselves. She is an amazing and delightful woman — relentless in her care for her ranch and every head of cattle on it, yet at the same time lighthearted and extraordinarily welcoming toward visitors. THANK YOU, Sharon.
7 comments:
Your "raw and imperfect" results are outstanding, Stephen. I just spent some time looking at your past few postings, very, very nice. I like the spontaneity in this one a lot. Do you limit your time on these field studies, and if so, about how much time are you allowing?
Hi, Angela, and thank you. I didn't put an exact time limit on them, but, in general, I seem to spend about two hours on field studies. The larger painting of the San Antonio mission was finished in the studio, however, and I spent considerably more time on that one.
I usually do tweak my plein air paintings before posting them, but the two Michaelis Ranch studies and the smaller mission study from San Antonio were posted "as is."
Lovely work. The sky is perfectly positioned behind the clouds and not on a level with it. Your field studies can stand on their own, Stephen!
I like this one. I like the composition and as ever the color you wield with such confidence
I like the colours and composition!
So fun seeing your second piece and to know right where you were painting! Love it.
These field studies are beautiful Stephen...as is!
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