Brushes with the Landscape

Ammononusuc River #2 Watercolor on Paper  15" x 22" This is a painting of the Ammonoosuc River in New Hampshire that I completed yesterday (in my basement - totally observing social distancing).  I will do some more studies from this to capture the water in different moods / speeds et cetera.  It's amazing how much the same "scene" can vary based on water and light reflection. Below are studies used to work out aspects of this "final" painting and the final painting itself to give you some sense of scale.  Missing are a large (rough) pencil sketch with notes that I completed on location as well as a few pen and ink composition studies. The top left and right watercolors were completed on location during the same trip as the pencil sketch.  The upper middle watercolor was done at home a few days ago (nearly a year later than the on location studies).    (see link below)   Permalink https://robertkahlerlandscapepaintings.blog

Color and Composition Study - Pemaquid ME This study is graphite and gouache on paper - 12" x 18"   This painting is a combination of a variety of on location studies, pen and ink composition thumbnails, and represents a combination of views of the region that exist, but not exactly as in this composition. Some quick notes from doing this study are to extend the tree on the left out of the picture, widen the gap between the river islands, and add a thin line of ocean beyond the mid ground to add some distance - that may also be another composition.  I was not too concerned with colors in this, more just trying to capture an impression. I plan to do a large watercolor of this as well other media - oil, acrylic, and perhaps charcoal. https://robertkahlerlandscapepaintings.blogspot.com/2020/03/composition-and-color-study-ammonusuc.html

I had to get out of the house for a bit yesterday.  Did a couple of quick pencil drawings of a farm outbuilding and of two huge maple trees on the farm.  For whatever reason, I seem to be going through a pencil drawing stage now.  There is something about capturing a scene in just shades of graphite that appeals to me.  Some pencil drawings are very delicate yet incongruously breathtaking and powerful at the same time (I'm not referring to my own work - yet). Yet, this entry is actually not about pencil drawings, so I'll get back on point (pun intended).  Despite my current passion for pencil, I also regularly feel the urge to work with color, even in the design phase of my work.  So what follows is one two color and composition studies that I completed yesterday on 12" x 18" paper using graphite, gouache, and previous on location studies for reference and inspiration. Ammonusuc River Study I am still getting used to gouache - it seems to dry darker then wh

Mixed Media Oil over Acrylic 12" x 16" This painting was a continuation of the painting below.  There were parts of the painting that seemed flat to me and I wanted to add some more life, color, and movement to the painting.  Here they are side by side/ Here they are side by side.  I think it works a little better now than before.

Breakers - March Oil on Canvas Board 12" x 16" I've always been fascinated by the ocean.  This oil on canvas is drawn from memory of countless hours watching the ocean since I was a child - particularly along the Maine Coast.  There are so many different rhythms, colors, smells, and sounds to the ocean - that I believe you could paint in the same spot every day for years and never have two paintings be identical.  This spring and summer I am going to make a concerted effort to paint on location at the coast.  Just need to pick my spot.

Nor' Easter Charcoal on Tissue Paper This drawing was accepted for the exhibition "storm" at River Arts Gallery in Damriscotta. The opening reception for “Storm” will be Saturday  afternoon, March 14 from 3 to 5pm.  This show runs until April 11, 2020.

Approaching Storm Acrylic on Canvas Board 18" x 24" My submission, Approaching Storm, was selected for inclusion in the juried show "Top Art" at Roux and Cyr International Fine Art Gallery, 48 Free Street, Portland Maine.  The show will run April 3 through April 23, 2020.   This was my first entry into a Portland based art gallery.   I look forward to seeing the gallery space and the other work included in this show as well as to meeting fellow artists and patrons of the arts.