Fall Farmhouse

Original oil painting by Jeri McDonald. 20x16 stretched cotton canvas. This painting was from 2 photo resources I combined. My intention was to capture the golden sunlight peeking through the approaching storm clouds. The day is dark and gloomy but often times the sun can create brilliant light at just the right moment in the midst of a dark day. I experienced this often living up north in California on the coast. Instead of the typical red orange leaves I was going for a yellow gold tree. The photo does not show it as well as it should on the real painting.

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Comment by Ann Turner on October 10, 2015 at 7:23: I like your palette with great oranges, purples and greens. The energy and joy that you have used to paint the sky and trees draws me . I can see that you had enjoyed painting this scene.

Comment by Jeri McDonald on October 9, 2015 at 6:12: What I think I will do is wait till it dries and then glaze that side with a violet mixture. The photo is making it look whiter than it is in reality so I think the glaze will really help it.

Comment by Michael J. Severin on October 8, 2015 at 14:54: Jeri, that is a "rule" that I will not break ...that is until I get good enough to know why I am breaking it. I keep all of my color mixes that are in the light, on one side of the palette and all the mixes that are in the dark family on the other side. That tends to remind me that they do not cross into each other.

Comment by Jeri McDonald on October 8, 2015 at 14:11: Hey thanks guys! I see your point Michael. Since I have 2 photos with totally different lighting, it was quite difficult to make the values but I totally understand your point. The actual photo of that house is white all over and even though I made it somewhat darker on that side, it is not enough as you said. I will work on it some more. Thanks!

Comment by Susan Burke on October 8, 2015 at 11:59: Jeri, Beautiful!

Comment by Michael J. Severin on October 8, 2015 at 11:06: Hi Jeri, I think you did a great job on those autumn trees!! ... The house is the subject and focal point, so your trees are nicely subordinated to it. I love the little flicks of light you painted on them ..nothing is over done. Now, the side of the house facing us is the shadow side ..no light is hitting there ...there is an absence of light...it is in the dark family. The grass has light on it ....it is in the light family. But, the side of the house ..which is in the shadow / dark family, is actually lighter in value then the grass ..which is in the light family. The side of the house should be darker then anything in the light family ..even though it is a white house. Jeri, note the value of the light side of your tree trunks ...other then your chimney's, that is the darkest thing in light. The side of your house is the lightest thing in the shadow /darks......the dark family cannot cross over into the light family ..and vice versa. So maybe think about lowering the value of that side of the house ....your sunlit part of the house facade will then sparkle! ..and your tonal values will read much better.