First Painting of the Week

Here is my first painting. Contrast is its main theme. The reeds are rectilinear and angular with high-keyed values and warm tones. The water is dark, cool and reflects undulating forms. It is a simple, straightforward composition with a dominant, heavier lower part and a smaller, yet more frenzied upper portion. It is almost monochromatic. It is a small painting: 8" x 10". I used oil paints for the first time in decades. I had been so used to acrylics, it was disorienting at first to experience the difference in drying time and blending properties. Layering washes of paint is more difficult with oils. Blending is more difficult with acrylics. I will try to combine both media in my next few paintings to take advantage of the different characteristics of each type of paint. I will try to stick with a series of lake-related paintings based on scenes in the Twin Lakes area. But I might venture into works exploring lanscapes from other parts of Wisconsin such as Viroqua and Door County.