VALDEZ AUTUMN - UNDERPAINTING

#108 - VALDEZ AUTUMN DAY - Underpainting
30"X30" Original Oil on Fine Artist's Canvas

Here is the very beginning of a new painting (most colors are mixed with MG Fast Drying White and Turpentine-- My colors in the sky are Indanthrone Blue and a little Thalo Green. The highlights in the clouds are MG with a little Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow; the greys are a combination of Davy's Grey and Payne's Grey mixed with the white. The darks in the mountain are a combination of straight Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna -- the lighter colors are the sky colors mixed with the dark combination. The trees and chamisa - different combinations of the following: Cadmium Red, Cadmium Ochre, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Cadmium Orange, some Diox Purple and the joys of a "DIRTY BRUSH" -- Don't rinse your brushes after each color -- just keep on going with all the colors -- it adds a certain coherence to the color mixtures. This underpainting needs to dry for about a week before I attempt the glazing process. Stay tuned!

GIVING THANKS

GIVING THANKS 2007

Just watched the news and all the frenzy about whether or not the stores will be up or down in sales this Christmas season.......this obvious time filler seems so superficial considering all that is going on in the rest of the world.

Sometimes it's so easy to believe the commercials and think that there is something missing in our lives if we don't have the latest, greatest or biggest thing. This morning I sat down and journaled a "thank you" list. Prominent on that list is this place where I am blessed to live and paint......and all the people who are so generous in their support of my work! I am truly grateful to each and every one who has ever cheered me along the way!

The book on my easel, "Women Painters of the World", came from an old and dear friend's library. As you can see -- the blank canvases are piled up on the floor, on the easel -- my taboret is brimming with new tubes of paint -- and I'm ready for my winter work! - absolutely nothing is missing and life is truly rich and full!

Wishing everyone out there in the "real world" a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving -- Hug each other today!

Donna Clair, Taos, N.M.

WORK IN PROGRESS - "SIESTA" ORIG. OIL

"SIESTA" - WORK IN PROGRESS

24"x24" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For more information, please call my Taos Studio at
(505)758-7454

"DIAS DE ORO" - COMPLETED ORIGINAL OIL

"LOS DIAS DE ORO"
Completed October 9, 2007

36"x48" - Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (575) 758-7454

LOS DIAS DE ORO -- PHASE II - GLAZES

WORK IN PROGRESS - LOS DIAS DE ORO
(Color notes from July Blogpost)
(GLAZES II) - 36"x48" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
Projected date of completion - 10/10/07

In my last post to this web log, I demonstrated the difference between the underpainting and the beginning of the glazing process -- laying in the dark, transparent colors. This week I covered the entire canvas with glazes -- even thinning opaque paints to a semi-transparent consistency.

The two autumn trees: I thinned Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Red and brushed those colors over the shape of the trees to "tone" the ground. Then I began laying in the darker colors (Alizarin Crimson, Diox. Purple, C. Ox. Green Opaque) to create volume and shadows. I used Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque in the pinon trees at the top of the painting. The pastureland in the foreground and middle ground is a combination of all these colors to varying degrees of light and dark. I will let these colors set up for a few days before working into them again, otherwise the turpentine in my painting medium will mix with the heavier, opaque paints and create "mud".

If you have any questions regarding this new painting, just give me a call at (505) 758-7454.

"DIAS DE ORO" - ORIGINAL OIL (UNDERPAINTING)

WORK IN PROGRESS- "LOS DIAS DE ORO"
(UNDERPAINTING - From July Blogpost)

36"X48" - Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner

My colors in this underpainting are laid in loosely and mixed with MG Underpainting White and Turpentine using a variety of bristle brushes. Colors in the trees: Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque. Shadows: Combination of Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Diox. Purple and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque. This underpainting will need to dry completely (about a week) before I can work into the colors again with the glazes (darks).

If you have any questions, please e.mail or call my Taos Studio at (505) 758-7454.

"ARROYO SECO" - STUDIO EDITION PRINT

"ARROYO SECO" - Archival Giclee

Now available from THE HIGH ROAD CATALOGUE at
www.DonnaClairArt.com
Archival giclee on fine art professional paper
17"x22" sheet size -- $100.00
13"x19" sheet size -- $60.00
Free shipping and handling within Cont. U.S.
To order call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454

"NIGHTSKY WANDERER",ORIGINAL OIL - SOLD

"NIGHTSKY WANDERER"-SOLD
Completed 8/27/07
24"x30" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
Framed in Silver with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

PALETTE FOR NIGHTSKY WANDERER

8/27/07 -MIXING PALETTE FOR NIGHTSKY WANDERER

ELEGY FOR SUMMER - STUDIO EDITION PRINT

'ELEGY FOR SUMMER" - STUDIO EDITION

Now available as an exhibition-quality archival giclee
Hand-titled and Hand-signed - in clear PolyFoldLock Envelope
Large Size - $100.00 - 17"x22" Sheet Size
Small Size - $60.00 - 13"x19" Sheet Size
To see the full High Road Catalogue, go to
www.donnaclairart.com
To order this print, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454

MORNING POEM - SOLD!

"MORNING POEM"
Completed 8/20/07
SOLD - 8/21/07

18"x18" Original Oil on Fine Artist's Canvas
Framed in Silver with Linen Liner

TAOS EVENING LIGHT -STUDIO EDITION PRINT

#1307 - "TAOS EVENING LIGHT" - STUDIO EDITION PRINT

It's monsoon season again -- a late afternoon storm is moving off into the Pecos Wilderness -- everything is fresh and cool after the rain -- and the scent of sage is in the high desert air and thunder can be heard in the distance..... Now available as a Studio Edition Print (17"x22" sheet size) - $100. All major credit cards accepted. Free shipping and handling within the Cont. U.S. -- Printed to order, call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

HIGH ROAD AUTUMN -Orig. Oil - SOLD

"HIGH ROAD AUTUMN" - SOLD
Completed 8/9/07

11"X14" Original Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
For more information, please call my Taos Studio at (505) 758-7454.

HIGH ROAD AUTUMN - Underpainting

"HIGH ROAD AUTUMN"
(UNDERPAINTING)

11"x14" Original Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
Primary palette colors (see right-hand column for my list of colors) mixed with MG White and Turpentine. Allow to dry completely before adding glazes.

DON EUSAVIO'S PARADISE - STUDIO EDITION

"DON EUSAVIO'S PARADISE"
New Studio Edition Print

A long time ago in Truchas, New Mexico -- My neighbor, Don Eusavio, bringing his wood supply in for the day -- quiet, peace, serenity, does life get any better than this?

Now available as a Studio Edition Print on archival fine art paper (17"x22" sheet size) - $100.00 To order larger prints, just visit my website at www.donnaclairart.com. Visa, Mastercard, Amer. Exp. and Discover accepted. To order, just call my Taos studio at (505758-7454.

"TRUCHAS TOWN" - Completed Orig. Oil

#3907 - "TRUCHAS TOWN"

14"x11" Orig. Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

"TRUCHAS TOWN" - UNDERPAINTING

#3907 - "TRUCHAS TOWN" - UNDERPAINTING
14"x11" Orig. Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
For more information, just call (505)-758-7454

PICURIS PASTORAL - Original Oil-SOLD

"PICURIS PASTORAL" - SOLD

11"x14" Orig. Oil Painting on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard.
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

PICURIS PASTORAL - UNDERPAINTING

"PICURIS PASTORAL" - UNDERPAINTING

Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico --At the onset of autumn every year, if this field has not been plowed under, the wild asters bloom, along with other fall wildflowers.

FULL MOON RISING - Completed Orig. Oil

#4107 - "FULL MOON RISING"

11"x14" Original Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505 758-7454.

FULL MOON RISING - UNDERPAINTING

"FULL MOON RISING" - Underpainting

11"x14" Orig. Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
To be Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at
(505)758-7454.

HIGH ROAD PASTORAL -Orig. Oil - SOLD

"HIGH ROAD PASTORAL" - SOLD

14"x11" Original Oil on Cold-Pressed Italian Gessoboard
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

HIGH ROAD PASTORAL - UNDERPAINTING

"HIGH ROAD PASTORAL" - Underpainting
14"x11" Orig. Oil on Cold Pressed Italian Gessoboard
To be framed in gold with linen liner.

"AFTERNOON SUN" - SOLD

Studio No. 4307 - "AFTERNOON SUN" - SOLD
14"x11" Original Oil on Cold-pressed Italian Gessoboard
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner

For price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

"AFTERNOON SUN" - UNDERPAINTING

Studio No. 4307 - "AFTERNOON SUN" (Underpainting)
14"x11" Original Oil on Cold-pressed Italian Gessoboard
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner

Here is a quick oil sketch -- MG White mixed with basic oil colors - Cadmium Yellows, Thalo Blue, Prussian Blue and a little Mars Black in the dish at the base of the flowers.

DIAS DE ORO -- GLAZES II

WORK IN PROGRESS - LOS DIAS DE ORO
(GLAZES II) - 36"x48" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen

In my last post to this web log, I demonstrated the difference between the underpainting and the beginning of the glazing process -- laying in the dark, transparent colors. This week I covered the entire canvas with glazes -- even thinning opaque paints to a semi-transparent consistency.

The two autumn trees: I thinned Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Red and brushed those colors over the shape of the trees to "tone" the ground. Then I began laying in the darker colors (Alizarin Crimson, Diox. Purple, C. Ox. Green Opaque) to create volume and shadows. I used Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque in the pinon trees at the top of the painting. The pastureland in the foreground and middle ground is a combination of all these colors to varying degrees of light and dark. I will let these colors set up for a few days before working into them again, otherwise the turpentine in my painting medium will mix with the heavier, opaque paints and create "mud".

If you have any questions regarding this new painting, just give me a call at (505) 758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - DIAS DE ORO (GLAZES)

WORK IN PROGRESS - DIAS DE ORO - THE GLAZES

Today I worked some glazes into the right side of the painting -- these transparent colors - Burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre (thinned to a transparency with the painting medium) in the autumn trees. The pinons at the top of the canvas: Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna for the darkest values, with some chrome Oxide Green Opaque in the lighter areas.

I am adding this post today to focus on the contrast between the glazes on the right and the underpainting on the left side of the painting -- these dark colors not only help to emphasize the light of the final opaque colors, but they add a richness to all the colors. If you really look at Renaissance paintings -- those dark colors are glazes -- observe how they make the lights appear lighter!

If you have any questions or comments regarding this painting, please call me at (505)758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - "LOS DIAS DE ORO" (DAYS OF GOLD)

WORK IN PROGRESS - "LOS DIAS DE ORO"

36"X48" - Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen
To be framed in Gold with Linen Liner

My colors in this underpainting are laid in loosely and mixed with MG Underpainting White and Turpentine using a variety of bristle brushes. Colors in the trees: Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque. Shadows: Combination of Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Diox. Purple and Chrome Oxide Green Opaque. This underpainting will need to dry completely (about a week) before I can work into the colors again with the glazes (darks). In the meantime I will complete "POPPY LOVE" and "MORNING POEM".

If you have any questions, please e.mail or call my Taos Studio at (505) 758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - MORNING POEM

WORK IN PROGRESS "MORNING POEM" - PHASE II
©DonnaClair2007 - All rights of reproduction reserved.

18x18"Original Oil on Fine Artist's Canvas

Here is my second sitting with this painting - a combination of glazes and opaque colors (See Palette Set-Up). First I put in a thin wash of Payne's Grey over the top half of the painting. Sky and Snow Colors: Paynes Grey, Cerulean Blue - a little ochre -- and the best kept secret color - Holbein's Rose Grey. This color will be dominant throughout the painting. Also mixed some of these colors with Permalba White for the lightest areas. The Trees: Mars Black, Burnt Sienna, Indian Red -- Chrome Oxide Green Opaque for the smaller pinon trees.

I want this canvas to have a dreamy, just-waking-up-morning effect -- So once all the colors were all laid down, I took a large, soft watercolor brush and "blended" the whole canvas lightly.

This phase of the painting is now complete and I will let it dry for three or four days. Stay tuned to see this completed canvas.

If you have any questions regarding price and availability, please call my Taos Studio at (505)758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - MORNING POEM

WORK IN PROGRESS "MORNING POEM"
(Phase One: The Underpainting)
©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

18"x18" Original Oil on Fine Artist's Canvas
To be framed in silver with Linen Liner

A late spring snowstorm as seen from my backyard a few weeks ago.

Turpentine washes using MG White mixed with regular paletted colors. Sky: Payne's Grey, small amounts of Cerulean Blue, some litttle Thalo Red Rose and Diox. Purple.
Same combinations for the snow colors in the bottom half of the canvas. Trees and dried grasses: Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber for the darkest colors. Burnt Sienna and Alizarin Crimson for the lighter grasses -- also a little ochre.

For more price and availability, please call my Taos studio at (505)758-7454.

"HIGH COUNTRY MONDAY MORNING" SOLD!

"HIGH COUNTRY MONDAY MORNING"
SOLD!
11"X14"Original Oil on Fine Artist's Canvas.
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

"VADITO" - Original Oil Painting

"VADITO"

8"x10" Original Oil Painting on Belgian Linen.
Framed in gold with linen liner.
For price and availability, please call my studio at (505)758-7454.
©DonnaClair2007 -- All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

"NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASCUNCION" - SOLD!

"NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASUNCION"

Completed this painting late last week and this morning pulled some proofs for a new Studio Edition Print.......it's a beauty!

"NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASCUNCION" (The capilla in the small village of Placita along the High Road to Truchas") -- $100.00 -- Hand-titled, hand-signed and printed to order on fine art paper 22"x17" sheet size, enclosed in PolyFoldlock transparent sleeve and mailed flat. Free shipping and handling within Cont. U.S. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express now available for your convenience. All sales are guaranteed.

The original painting is also available (18"x18" on fine artist's canvas, custom-framed in gold with linen liner) -- for more information, please call my Taos studio at (505) 758-7454. SOLD!

©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

"EVENING THUNDERSPIRITS" -SOLD!

"EVENING THUNDERSPIRITS"- SOLD!

6"x12" Original Oil Painting on Gessoboard
Custom-Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
©DonnaClairArt2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

"SANTISTEVAN LANE" - Original Oil Painting

#2607 - "SANTISTEVAN LANE"

10"x8" Original Oil Painting on Belgian Linen
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner - $1200.00
For more information, call (505)758-7454
©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

PUESTA DEL SOL - ORIG. OIL - SOLD

NEW! "PUESTA DEL SOL" - Completed 5/19/07
SOLD!-5/20/07

30"x60" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen.
Custom framed in gold with Linen Liner.
©DonnaClair2007 -- All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

PUESTA DEL SOL - GLAZES

WORK IN PROGRESS "PUESTA DEL SOL" - GLAZES

30"x60" Original Oil on Fine Belgian Linen -- To be framed in gold with linen liner.

The glazes are the second phase of the painting and, in this work, they are concentrated in the bottom half of the piece. The sky has been "semi-completed" -- that light will inform the light in the rest of the painting. Sky: combination of Permalba White, Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Payne's Grey, and Thalo Rose Red in various combinations.

The lower half of the painting -- Glazes are dark transparent colors, mixed with my painting medium (see recipe on the front web log page) --- burnt sienna and prussian blue for a deep, rich green; burnt sienna, olive green and alizarin crimson for the warmer shades. The river is Prussian Blue, with some thin Chrome Oxide Green and the sky colors as the beginnings of the highlights.

This painting will be completed in about ten days. STAY TUNED!

For price and availability, please call my Taos studio at (505)758-7454.

©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

PUESTA DEL SOL - UNDERPAINTING

#3407 - PUESTA DEL SOL - "SUNSET" - UNDERPAINTING
30"x60" Original Oil Painting on Fine Belgian Linen

The Rio Pueblo at sunset as seen from the little bridge on Ranchitos Road.
My colors are mixed with MG Underpainting White and turpentine. At this stage of the painting I try to work fast and loose -- to put it simply, a color "cartoon" - to be redrawn and tightened up with dark, transparent colors. The darkest blues are a combination of Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna, the lighter blue sky colors are Cobalt Blue, Paynes Grey and some Diox. Purple. The lower pink color is a combination of these colors as well as Thalo Rose Red. The foliage colors: Ochre, Chrome Oxide Green Opaque, Mars Orange, Cadmium Red, and other similar earth tones. Stay tuned to see the next phase of this work -- the glazes.

To receive e.mail photo of this completed painting, send e.mail to me at dclair@donnaclairart.com. For price and availability, please call (505)758-7454.

DOS ARBOLES DE TAOS - ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING

"DOS ARBOLES DE TAOS"
(Completed 4/18/07)
48"x36" Original Oil Painting on Fine Belgian Linen
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner
For price and availability, please call my studio at (505)758-7454.
©DonnaClair2007 - All rights reserved.

EL RITO DEL NORTE -- SOLD!

"EL RITO DEL NORTE" -Completed 3/26/07
SOLD 3/27/07

MANY DAYS AND HOURS LATER - I "scumbled" in the final colors, which means "pushing" the opaque colors into the glazes. For the greens: Mixtures of glazes and opaques - burnt sienna and Prussian blue for the darks, and mixtures of ochres and chrome oxide greens with a little white for the highlights. The highlights on the trees are a combination of cadmium yellow light and white, cadmium yellow and white and other combinations of transitional colors include yellow ochre, chrome oxide green opaque, mars orange and cadmium red. The water: burnt sienna and Prussian blue for the darks, other combinations: thalo blue, thalo green, chrome oxide green opaque and some Permalba White for the highest lights.

If you have any questions, please call (505)758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - EL RITO DEL NORTE (GLAZES)

"EL RITO DEL NORTE" (PHASE II - GLAZES)

Here is the second phase of this painting-- the dark, transparent colors over the underpainting (see the previous post).....the glazes. If there is any one point in a painting where I want to quit, this is it.....from experience, however, I know that it is these dark colors that add the richness and vibrance to the final opaques that go on top of the canvas after this part of the painting is completed. Light is refracted through to the toned ground and then out again -- giving greater luminesence to the final painting.

My mixtures include Prussian Blue and Burnt Sienna for the water. Transparent gold ochre for the trees and shrubs -- I have even used some green and ochres (opaque colors) and thinned them down with my medium to a semi-transparency.

Stay tuned to see the finished canvas!! For price and availability, just call my Taos studio at (505) 758-7454.

WORK IN PROGRESS - "EL RITO DEL NORTE"

WORK IN PROGRESS - "EL RITO DEL NORTE"
(Underpainting)

30"x40" Original Oil Painting on Portrait Quality Belgian Linen. The underpainting is essentially a color sketch over a "toned ground" (gesso mixed with Payne's Grey). This phase of the painting gives me a guide to the light an color of the final piece -- it also gives me the information I need regarding composition -- if a painting doesn't "click" at this point, usually it won't work at all. I've mixed all the basic colors (ochre, chrome oxide green opaque, cadmium yellow) with MGWhite and applied them to the canvas with turpentine. Now I will let the canvas dry for several days before applying the glazes (dark transparent colors) To follow the progress of "El Rito del Norte", stay tuned to this web log!

Be first in line to receive a photo of this completed painting -- just send an e.mail to dclair@donnaclairart.com and join my list of Art Friends. For price and availability, please call my studio at (505) 758-7454.

LLANO SAN JUAN DE NEPOMUSENO" 0RIG. OIL

"LLANO SAN JUAN DE NEPOMUSENO"

30"x40" Original Oil on fine Belgian Linen.
Framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
For price and availability, please call my studio at (505)758-7454.
©DonnaClair2006 -- All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.

"LLANO LARGO" - Original Oil Painting

"LLANO LARGO"

24"x30" Original Oil Painting on Fine Belgian Linen.
Custom-framed in Gold with Linen Liner.
For price and availability, please call my studio at (505)758-7454.
©DonnaClair2005 -- All rights reserved under Federal Copyright Law.