Hi everyone I started a new, very dark painting a few days ago which so far has been a blast! Speaking of blast....or at least BOOM!! ...here is the beginning of Nature's Fury......



16 x 20 stretched canvas


First I "killed the canvas".... using gesso, and all my dark colors (ultramarine, sienna, diox. purple, payne's grey). In the pic it looks like my camera has "blue'd" it some.....it was more of a grey/blue. Also in this you'll see the beginning of some very dark clouds......


[attachmentid=58]





This next shot is after the basic build-up, and darkening of the cloud formations. There is to be LOTS of drama in this sky, so lots to build.



[attachmentid=59]

Awesome clouds can't wait to see the rest
RJS

excelent clouds you certainly have a feel for it

That's a great start. I've never been able to make acrylics really "work" so I'm delighted to see someone else have such great success with them.

J

That's a great start Ray!

WOW!!! I think Brenda needs to add other mediums on here besides colored pencils and drawing. I am really interested in learning to paint. I know I can draw. I have always know that...sorry if I sound conceited you all. I just wanna learn to paint too...LOL

Dragon your painting is looking awesome keep us posted on it...I wanna see more!!!
~Venus~

I love landscapes especially clouds I could look at them allday.
Your clouds and colours are very close to natural light fantastic.
I havent worked in acrylics since I was 25 I might just have another go. Looking at your work. Very tempting.
Acrylic is great for scumbling with a filbert(Acrylic) or a flat(Hogs brissle).

Dragonshade you take look at Lyonesse in inspirational.
Awsome cloud formations.
Your colours are the same blues in this "Goneyirsel" Glasgow Speek for >(Well done) real light.

I am a cloud / sky freak as well. Nothing sets me on fire more than a very expressful sky. We get them here in Germany all the time. That's why my major goal is watercolor. I see the most amazing work done while just letting the water do its own thing. But, before that comes the basics, the drawing. Once I get a good handle on that, its off the the water faucet for me.

Dragon, you got an excellent start going with that sky. I love these paintings whether light and sunny, or dark and stormy. Sometimes capturing a touch of the sheet lightning in a stormy scene always gives a little more added flair to these types of skys.

Keep on with it, surprise us! You are a master.
Eric

Wow!! Thanks for stopping in everyone. Lol...this forum has gotten a lot busier

RJS.... Thanks, and yep, more is on the way

Woo.... Hiya there, I have enjoyed your threads. Thanks for looking.

J-Lynn.... It seems a lot of people have a difficult time with acrylics...mainly because of the dry time, and color saturation I think. It just takes some time to figure out how to work them, they can be such fun once you get the "feel" of it.

Becky... Thanks, my friend. Lol....recently I have finally ventured into landscapes. Always have enjoyed yours very much.

Venus... I felt the same way, and you are correct....drawing is the basis for painting. There is a good deal to learn when painting....brush control, brush technique, color theory, color mixinig, and much more........so it is way easier when you not only can draw well, but also understand composition, values, cast shadows, reflected light, etc. (which comes from your drawing skills). Thanks for commenting

Andy.... Thanks!! I like to hear that from a cloud watcher I must admit I am still struggling with color mixing, and hues a bit. Lol...this is maybe my 3rd or 4th try at a sky.....I'm still real new to painting as a whole (4 months now I think). You are so right.... I LOVE my hog bristles...."magic" brushes almost

Eric.... Good to see you. How I want to visit Germany! You are for sure going about things correctly. Work on those lessons (Brenda is such a wonderful teacher), and get down the basics....then you will fly into WC. Lol...and feel free to send me any great pics from over there.


Thanks again everyone,

Ray




Ok...time for the next installment....this one has changed a bit. I promise the colors and "silver lining" of the clouds will come together nice in the next one....



[attachmentid=66]

wow you really feel like the sun is going to poke through them clouds at any moment

Ooh that sky is beautiful

I had a look at the bottom picture, There is something in your style and colours that remind me of Turners Land & seascapes try and get a look at them if you can heres a link. I think it was the pinkish clouds(http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/turner/i/temeraire.jpg). You'll see what I mean when you get there.
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/turner/
Keep going I'll love seeing the painting develope.

Say, Ray, did you ever finish the other one of the snow scene with the tree? I'd like to see that one too. Your sky looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it, too.

Hi Ray,great sky you are coming along in leaps and bounds.your old mate lorrir aka costan

Hiya Woo..... Well...maybe not the sun

Lizzeh.... Thanks! Glad you like it.

Andy.... Hey thanks for the link....very cool reading. I do see some of what you mean, yep. Some gorgeous works aren't they?

Becky..... Yes, and no. I mean that one I'm calling "finished" at the moment. I was going to add a squirrel on the tree, and still may, but I like it as is too..... I guess I'll leave it unvarnished for now, look at it for a week or so more, then decide. I posted it in my gallery, but it is the same as the last update in the WIP thread I think. Big changes in this next update

Costan/lorrir...... Old friend Hey thanks....told you I'd be going into color, buddy Always nice to see you pop into my threads.


Ray



ok folks.....next update....big differences here...I did darken the image to read as it does in the painting. However my old monitor shows everything VERY dark, so it may still be too light on many other monitors.

This will nearly wrap up the sky. I may do some touches here and there later, but next up is the beginning of building the ground.




[attachmentid=70]

ohhhhh all is revealed great lightening effects i love it

Wawoo! Well thas the normal noise I would make when I see a flash of lightening. Wait yes I can hear the thunder too.
Well cool.

wow....what drama I love drama!!Costan/lorrir

Thanks Woo!

Thanks to you too Andy, and my old friend Costan



Well everyone.....time for the next installment. Sorry I have been absent for weeks, and actually haven't picked up a brush in that time either (until a day ago...hence my new update). My dearest DEAREST companion of 13 years....my sweet dog, Star, passed away last Thursday. About killed me Almost thought I would never paint again. Now I know just how much of this "art" thing comes from the soul, and mine had never before suffered such sorrow. I think I am beginning to recover....somehow, and as I mentioned I painted some last night.

Here is the ground starting to come together....first a darker value for the distand trees, followed by the first layer of greens for the field. I'll likely add another slightly lighter value to enhance the grass highlights.....the painting is all about drama...contrasts....after all, but then again I don't want to overpower the sky either. Not sure what else will be coming in the fore-ground....I'm thinking maybe some nearer trees....perhaps a fence line.....thinking likely not a house or structure, though maybe....guess we'll all have to wait and see lol. It seems funny how just a small infusion of greens change things in this, and seem to add even more chaos to the sky.




[attachmentid=91]

Sorry to hear about your loss, it's just amazing how much they mean to you. My dog died a few years ago now and even though i have moved house his collar and lead still hang in the new garage. I just can't bring myself to throw them away, when i read your post i couldn't help but go and hold it for a few moments.

Anyway the painting is amazing, so much movement and feeling, are you using a photograph for reference?

Looking forward to seeing it finished, once again condolences on your loss.

RJS

Ohhhh

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I'm definitely a dog person, with two girls currently curled up by my chair. I lost my beloved Rosey a few years ago, and I still think about her almost every day.

Please take it easy - time does help you feel better.

Big hug,
Brenda (oh, and a fantastic painting happening here - looking forward to the next update)

First thought,
FFFWAAOOH!!
You just keep taking my breath away every time I see a new bit added.
I can see the Druids standing and pointing at the lightning looking out from the fort.
Shouting its a sign. and every body else shouting get the cattle indoors quickly.
Dogs barking the lot.
Well cool.
Q. What colour of green are you using?
It is great for a middle ground colour.

RJS.... Thank you. I understand about the leash....her bed is still here...right next to my bed, and likely will remain for quite awhile. We had such a special bond. I will always be less without her, my beloved Star.


Brenda.... Thanks, and thanks for the hug Ahhhh....the Rosey lesson .....how they get so deep in our hearts.......to our very soul.

Andy.... Lol...still trying to figure out that sound/word. I like how you think, and you know so very much could be added to take this painting there, or anywhere. Kinda neat how just the details can make everything go this direction or that, isn't it? ....and lol....I am still undecided myself.

I love the green, though some have mentioned (to them) it feels too yellow. Though I must say that the sky (in the actual painting) has more purples to the clouds than show here, and since purple and yellow are complimentary colors it really sets off well. Rarely in any of my paintings will you ever see "pure" colors....I mix just about everything to get them were they should be. I find the "raw" colors out of the tubes are way over-saturated when compared to real life colors....so usually there is some "graying" also when mixing. Basically it is Thalo-yellow green, though a touch of orange is added to gray it, and a bit of white. That is only the base (underpainted) green though. I will be adding 1 or 2 highlight layers to give it real depth.....basically by adding a touch of white, and maybe a hint of yellow to lighten the base mixture.

Hi Ray,
Have you thought maybe about closer trees and maybe some lightning bolts hitting the ground maybe even cracking a tree in half? I love your painting so far. great job.

Venus... Good idea, but I don't want too much interest in the nearer are (competing with the sky)....just some. Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.



Well....after so-o-o long.......for now....I'm calling this one finished. This will likely be the last installment. I plan to look at it for a week or so, and perhaps add an element or 2, and/or tweak a thing here or there, but otherwise this is it. In this one I've added lots of mid-ground interest (if you look close you can see indiviual branches on the dead trees), brightened up the greens, and added the fence line. Funny how fickle digital cameras are.....this pic the sky looks much more blue than previous pics, and still isn't reading true to the painting, but you get the idea....lol, just imagine more pinks/purples to the mix.

Thanks for riding along everyone



[attachmentid=92]


[attachmentid=93]

nice >:D!!!


i havent painted anything in like 9 years

Wow... that is incredible. I love it

AAWWW,sorry to hear about your dog Dragonshade.I lost my little friend I had had for 17 years and it was a couple of years ago and I still think of him he was a little silky terrier and his name was Noddy.I still miss him.
awsome painting coming on.keep up the good work.Costan

tis great to see the finished picture its so life like you must be very proud i know i would be .. reminds me off the storm we had here the other night and i managed to get some shots of some lightening over the rooftops.. albeit just some small lightening strikes but impresive all the same .. sorry to hear about your pet .. im an animal lover myself and know how hard it can hit you when you lose a pet that is close to you . hugs to you x