Halloween Post

8 x 10

I tried to keep the shapes big, the values clear, and not fuss too much with detail in this painting of the refuge. I think that I have spent too much attention to the extreme ends of light and dark values and not enough with the midtones.

Every painting is an opportunity to learn something new. Next time around I will focus more on the midtones and see what happens.

Since it is Halloween after all, here's an interesting scientific discussion about what makes our spines tingle when we are frightened! BOO!

Bewitched

This morning, as I got ready for my morning meeting of the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters, I packed a few extra supplies. You can see them in the lower photograph. Drawing board. Box with various papers. Box with drawing implements. Long black haired wig. Witch's hat. I had an idea, a surprise for my group.

I am grateful to all of the good sports in our group. I suggested that we could take turns modeling and drawing one another as witches. All in good Halloween fun. We laughed a lot. I practiced looking wicked, but only managed to look mischievous. Sigh. You can see many of the results in the top photo. Click on the image to see an enlarged view.

Speaking of witches, that reminds me of the iconic Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz." Any other fans out there?