While in Austin, Texas for my youngest grandson’s first birthday, he and my daughter took me out under a somewhat overcast sky to take some reference photos. We found this spot north of Austin, in Georgetown, where the river very quietly meandered through the rocks under North Austin Avenue.
This is a composition I return to periodically, exploring new color palettes and brushwork. It was painted from the black and white sketch I’ve posted below. For my artist friends, I’ve also posted this on my “For Artist’s Blog” with some blown up details.
The reference sketch:
I love simple little scenes like this. This was on a little wooded road that ran beside a small river near Mount Vernon, Ohio. The light bouncing through the trees and the shadows across the road seem to suggest the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves. Somewhere in the background, you can hear the gurgle of the water nearby.
Here’s a wish that each of you has had a good day today. Our celebration of Thanksgiving has been good. A peaceful day with family, great food of course, and a little football on TV. While we take this kind of day for granted so often, we wish everyone throughout the world could have just one day like this.
My best to all, wherever you are.
~Ralph
My gouache painting “Into The Woods” made it into the FAV15% in the Canvoo Bold Brush Competition for October. This is the second month in a row that I’ve had a painting place in this group.
You can see all of the FAV15% for October here.
We will be at the First Saturday Arts Market in the historic Heights area of Houton, Texas tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 6th.
We’ve been promised this same booth space, facing the street. We’re hoping we’ll do as well as we did last time we had this spot.