Oak Tree Canyon Arizona #5

24″ x 30″
Oil on canvas

In November 1985 My Husband and I were in Oak Tree Canyon Arizona. Alone in the park we were able to enjoy the complete tranquility of this beautiful area. This was where many of the old Westerns had been filmed. I challenged myself to do six paintings in six weeks. First: priming my canvases by adding acrylic color to gesso. Second: sketches were only used for very basic placement. Third: switched from 2 inch to 6 inch squares for the layout. The brush used to start with was a 1 inch Flat. The whole idea was to paint as fast as I could keeping it very loose. I always mix the black paint rather than use it from a tube. This makes the grays very inconsistent. It takes self-control not to dabble. These paintings were so much fun I completed seven paintings in seven weeks. When painting remember: This is your canvas, your paints. Even some license can be taken with actual physical locations. The size, shape and color can be exaggerated, minimized or moved to help the composition. Care was taken in regards to detail with right upper edge to prevent leading the eye off the edge of the painting