This is my third version of this painting. My wife liked it but wanted it in a vertical orientation, to fit the location where she wanted it. As always, there are things I like better about this one and things I don’t. I think the background mountains read the best so far. I also like how the submerged rocks came out. I really struggled this time using the fan brush for the trees. For some reason it was super stiff and even though it was full of color it wouldn’t transfer to the canvas. I just wanted to stay in the brush. I might need to do some brush maintenance. Not crazy about the clouds either. I tried a one inch brush and I should’ve stuck with my fan brush. Sort of looks like my mountain is on fire!
Under water stones are fantastic! Did you use some special techniques? You got feel of very deep and steep underwater land! Super cool.
Thanks! The submerged rocks are sort of like what Bob does in S25E9, Downstream View, except I've taken it a few steps further. I painted the bottom of a plain canvas with black gesso, and then while the gesso was still wet, blended white gesso into it so the black faded into the white. Let that dry completely. Then, using Bob's one stroke method for making rocks, I put white gesso on one side of a filbert brush and black on the other and go to town. I also use a little gray gesso to help mix things up. Make the rocks darker and farther apart as they get "deeper". Let that dry completely. Then I put linseed oil (or liquid clear) on the bottom half of the canvas, and liquid white on the top, but I blend it into the area where the black is. Finally, it's dark sienna with a little cad yellow where it's shallow. Fade that into VD Brown, and then fade that into some Prussian Blue. That gives the rocks that sort of greenish color as the water gets deeper. The rest of the water is like usual. A few water lines really pushes the rocks underwater. Hope this is sort of understandable. I'm happy to clarify if you have any questions.
Got it. Thank you so very much for explaining the process!
The water is mind blowing .Absolutly Great !
Wow yeah...love this
Thanks, guys. Give it a try!
The rocks, and the evergreen reflections are spot on, very much enjoy getting to view your work!!
Thanks. Midnite Painter made the suggestion that I try pulling the reflections upward to keep them from getting too long and stringy. I did that on this one and it worked really well. Bob does it in his painting “mirrored images”.
I agree with Tom… best of the 3! Thank you for the instructions on how to make that “see thru” water to visualize the rocks at the bottom. The clouds look great to me. If you look at the sky frequently, you get some crazy designs. I tell myself that if I would be painting that picture in front of me, it would probably look fake, tho it’s the way the sky would have really been at at that moment in time. Anything is possible and can work as far as cloud. Plus, your shadowing and highlights (pinkish) made them very alive and real. Great job!
Thanks, I appreciate the reassurance.
That water and those rocks are fantastic!
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Very nice Brian. I like this one best of the 3. You have submerged rocks mastered my friend.