Autumn Tree Painting

The autumn tree painting is part of lesson 4 of the Learn and Master Painting oil painting course that I got. It is a very complete course and if you are learning to paint, want to see how another painter works, or want to get started like me coming from another medium, I recommend it.


Autumn Tree Painting by Christopher Johnson

In Lesson 4, the goal is to paint a believable object(tree with autumn foliage and shadow) and we are practicing varied strokes.  In the DVD video, the teacher shows how to make varied strokes and explains how it is better to have varied strokes when painting. She also explains how edges should overlap instead of painting up to a line.  It isn't clear in writing, but she shows different examples of good and bad edges so it is so easy to understand.

My problem in this case is that while I do have Burnt Umber, I didn't have Cadmium Orange for the lesson. In fact, I didn't have any orange paint at all so instead of  making a trip to the art supply store, I decided to see if I could make an orange like color mixing some of the other paints!  I took a simple lesson and made it complicated, but in the end, I had my autumn tree with shadow and it did have autumn colors. When I finally buy Cadmium Orange, I'll make another painting of this lesson.

I decided after finishing the tree that I wanted more than the shadow below the tree. Improvising beyond the lesson, I covered the ground with left over "leaf paint"  from my palette.

Riding in the Desert

Riding in the desert and riding in the desert antiqued is a "simple" digital collage of two images one of a rodeo scene and another of mountains with water in front.  Most people seem to prefer the simplicity of the sepia version and perhaps they don't like the fantasy element of the blue mountains in the first version.  After combining the two I had to fill in the gaps with fake desert soil and then worked on the effects to add the canvas texture and quite a lot of burn and dodge on the horse and on the first row of mountains.  I decided against adding desert plants because it would take me many hours more to add them.
Some might not like the intensity of color in the original which i could have reduced by partially applying sepia over the color, but the horse was a very strong red-brown in the reference photo and I just didn't feel right in changing him to a boring common brown.

Riding in the Desert

Riding in the Desert Antiqued

Grapefruit 1Toronja 1

It is important as an artist to use what is available to us not just what we'd like. Since I ate a grapefruit a couple days ago, I obviously took some photos of it first. I really love the pink-red of the fruit's flesh and the yellow rind.

Grapefruit 1

Grapefruit 1 Vintage

Red-Pink Carnations 1 RusticClaveles de Rojo-Rosa 1 Rustico

Ive noticed that my artwork has been trending more and more toward peaceful images. I imagine that that is what I'm craving right now. Peace and stability seem to be in short supply all over the world. This artwork Red-Pink Carnations 1 Rustic is a painterly photo (yes all my florals were/are photos) that I gave extra texture including in a more textured canvas feel which I admit is not so easy to see in a preview photo. I want it to have a more relaxed rustic feel that I imagine someone might want to hang in their pantry, kitchen, or bedroom.

Red-Pink Carnations 1 Rustic

Twisted 1 Fractal Flame Kaleidoscope in Green, Red, White, Blue, and SolarizedTwisted 1 Serie de Arte Fractal Calidoscopio

These kaleidoscope artworks are based on the Twisted 1 fractal flame abstract art series.

Twisted 1 Fractal Flame Kaleidoscope Art

Basados en el arte fractal Twisted 1

Twisted 1 Fractal Flame Series - Red, Green, Blue, White, and SolarizedTwisted 1 Serie de Arte Fractal en Rojo, Verde, Azul, Blanco

This series, Twisted 1, is based on one fractal flame image. It took me several hours to do, but once I got one color highlight it wasn't difficult to change to other colors. I could have done more colors, but I decided to stop at three and do others by request.

Twisted 1 Fractal Flame Series - Red, Green, Blue, White, and Solarized

Twisted 1 (Torcido 1) es de una imagen fractal pero hice varias versiones agregando colores distintos como rojo, verde, y azul. Puedo hacer mas versiones sobre pedido.

Red Petals Kaleidoscope 1 Artwork

Red Petals Kaleidoscope 1

This kaleidoscope is really a mix of different kaleidoscope images into one. It is mostly light red and gray with some green and black. I mention petals because the outer layer is petal like and the color used came from a red rose flower photo I had taken.

Red Rose Flower on White Artwork now at Zazzle for Great Gifts

Red Rose Flower on White floral artwork is now available at Zazzle as visual art gifts. Here are few products available using this floral artwork.  FYI - The white background normally appears as transparent on shirts until you "customize" it on the product page.  Great for Valentine's Day, weddings, or just to show you care.

Red Rose Flower on White Stamps

Red Rose Flower on White Mousepad

Red Rose Flower on White Greeting Card

Red Rose Flower on White Kid's T-shirt

Red Rose Flower on White

Red Rose Flower on White

Rose Explosion 1

A very modern twist to a rose flower. I call it rose explosion because of the fire in the orange and red that make this image exciting. Its section of a rose is alluring and provocative. Great for a modern interior, night club, or any place that needs some vibrant color and excitement!