Fine Art of Debbie Lamey-MacDonald

After a few inquiries about posting progression shots on my blog I decided to add the stages of an 18x24in. landscape of Powell’s Pt.Park entitled” Time Framed”. You can read my earlier note about the evening I painted the sketch for this piece here.

Plein Air:

All my landscapes begin with a plein air painting study( completed on location). While there I also take a few digitals, color notes and also write my reflection to accompany the painting.

I painted this plein study quite rapidly, as the evening light was changing quickly. I gain both physical knowledge and an emotionally connection to my subject by being out on location. Honestly,you just can’t beat the experience and value of painting on location. That could be a topic in itself!

Study painted en plein air in the evening at Powell's Pt. Park.

Stages of Progression

Time Framed Stage One

Stage One:

After making decisions with regards to my focal point ( main area of interest) and composition (design) I begin by toning my canvas with cadium yellow medium. Next I lightly sketch out my subject with charcoal. Now I am ready to start painting!

Time Framed Stage Two

Stage Two:

I begin by painting in the background trees. Next I move into the focal area where I add light and shadow areas created by the drama of the evening light. I also paint the small tree on the shoreline that is in full sunlight and will help lead your eye to the strip of land above.

Time Framed Stage Three

Stage Three:

I am moving well into the painting now and begin to work on the varied greens of the birches in the upper portion of the painting. I begin by adding my darker greens and then adding lighter ones. It is quite amazing the variety of greens mixed at this time.As I paint the foilage I add the sky pockets within the trees. I also add the trunks of the trees, although not a finished version of them yet. I move along to the building next painting both the areas in light and shadow. Next I move into the shadow area of the bank, painting in a thin wash of dark color.

Time Framed Stage Four

Stage Four:

Now that a wash of dark color has been established for the bank, I begin to add the foliage in shadow on the bank as well as bits of foliage catching the evening light. Next I paint the grasses in full sunlight along the shoreline and barely begin the reflections in the water.

Time Framed Stage Five

Stage Five:

I have now begun to concentrate on the reflections and need to block out a segment of time as I like to work wet into wet when completing this area. Thus, creating softer edges and enabling me to blend my colors into each other much easier.I start with the darker base of reflections and then start adding some of the lighter reflections. I also paint the reflection for the little tree in light along the shoreline.

Time Framed Stage Six

Stage Six:

I love painting the reflections! I continue along adding reflections from the shoreline grasses, sand, bushes on bank and upper portion of trees. Working wet into wet allows me to accomplish my desired affect.On the far left hand side I skim over top of the reflections with light blue paint by lightly dragging my brush along in a swooping motion.

My next step is to add the tree trunks and shadows from upper portion of trees. Then onto the remaining water surrounding the reflections. I also have to paint in the sky and tweak the tree trunks in upper portion of trees.

Once again, thanks so much for joining me and following along. I love interacting with you and have enjoyed your comments! Stay tuned for Stage 7 to come

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I’m finally back with the last 2 stages of Time Framed and have also posted the Grand Finale on a separate note! Thanks so much for your patience I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and working on location as much as I can before the weather changes.

Time Framed Stage Seven

Stage Seven:

I have now began to add the water reflections from the trees and sky. As I moved along I realized I had almost forgotten the reflection from the building on the far left hand side. Oops

Time Framed Stage Eight

Stage Eight:

The water is almost complete after much blending, checking to make sure I had tree reflections in the correct place and going in the proper direction etc. So easy to miss something when you have been immersed in the painting process. This is when I often call in my critics from home! LOL

Okay now comes the Grand Finale with the finished painting and written reflection!
Check out the finale version of “Time Framed“.