Painting a Mural

Of late, I’ve received several different projects that were out of the ordinary, one is painting a mural for the Haystacks restaurant in Sulphur Springs, TX. The subject matter isn’t different as it consists of a Texas landscape, but it’s in a panoramic format of a little over 18 foot in length by about 4 and half foot high.

New Materials to Try Out!

To paint  the mural, I’ve abandoned oil paints for mural paint and fluid acrylics. The combination seems to be working out well. I started with a small sketch that I gridded off and then mostly free handed the sketch with a large graphite pencil, followed by washes of Burnt Umber Acrylic to establish the scene. Afterwards the work begins of adding color.

Here’s a little short video. I’ll post more on painting a mural.

In this short oil landscape painting demonstration, I hope to highlight a general procedure that I use in all my work whether it’s highly detailed or more painterly.

The first step is to sketch my scene onto canvas using thinned down ultramarine blue and a small brush. The ultramarine blue color is easy to wipe off and over paint without it showing through. My first marks of color is generally going to be my darkest mass area. In this case the large tree.

Generally I will paint the areas directly adjacent to the big tree to compare my values, but I departed from this by going to the next largest mass putting in the water. Notice how the color becomes lighter in the back and darker towards the front. The lighter blue color in the back has some Phthalo Blue and white with increasing Ultramrine towards the front and with the addition of Permanent Rose for more of a deep violet cast.

Now colors of the land are put in. Again notice how the color intensity diminishes off into the distance to create depth. This is called atmospheric perspective.

Now the colors can be compared to the darks in the larger tree.

Now the sky is started. In this case the color was first applied nearest the horizon with a pinkish cast. The sky color Phthalo blue and Ultramarine. More Ultramarine at top and more Phthalo blue and white. Over all value is also lighter than the water, as water has a tendency to reflect the sky darker and it’s influenced by the depth of the water and what lies underneath.

With the sky completed, it’s time to let the painting dry. Once dry details and refinements are added to all areas.

It becomes a matter of personal decision on how much or how little detail you desire, whether you want it more impressionistic or more detailed. Under my Byron Signature I opt somewhere in between, depending on my mood.

To learn more about painting, contact me regarding my Zoom art classes. This allows you to take a class wherever you are!

Here’s a brief video with a bit of up close views.

Thanks for stopping by and viewing my brief oil landscape painting demonstration. All my best.

William

PS. This painting as of 6/25/2021 is available via my eBay auction. Direct link to auction page. Be sure to first sign into your eBay account to bid!

More new art products!

Art Gifts and Prints

Do you wish to find a gift featuring great looking landscape art? I have a new category of products on my Shop Page that features art gifts and prints fulfilled by Fine Art America featuring my Byron Signature Work.

There’s a good selection to choose from with more art to come. Here are just a few of the items on which my art can be printed on, including phone cases, coffee mugs, framed prints, stationary, greeting cards and even throw pillows with my art!

It’s a great way to have art on more than just your walls. Check out all the selections!  Also will soon be adding to the selection some of my photography!

Painting vs Photos

In this post, I’d like to share the difference between photographic resources and painting from such. As an artist the photo can be an invaluable resource in recording information. However, it never sees what your own eye sees and to paint exactly what is seen in a photo can diminish the impact of what could otherwise be a wonderful painting. The light and dark values and colors in a photo are not true. The following will illustrate.

Autumn is a wonderful time for gathering photo material. I just wished it lasted longer. However, in the photos below you will see my own photos of 3 scenes that became paintings.

Photos provide the necessary information, but you have to learn to use your artistic eyes to make it into a painting.

This scene had potential. The country road and the trees were pleasing, but it lacked enough color.

Here’s the painting based on the photo above. It’s called Return of Autumn, an 18×24 $3500.00 under by William Hagerman Signature work. (it’s for sale via eBay.)

Return of Autumn 18×24 oil by William Hagerman $3500 copyright 2020

So what do you think in this Painting vs Photo?  A painting allows for artistic expression and provide more color than any photo.

In this example I was drawn to the color of the tree and the effect of light and shadow.

However, the scene needed to be tweaked. Just because something is in a photo, doesn’t mean you have to include it. Think about your composition. So what do you think in the painting vs photo?

Autumn Light and Shadow 8×10 Byron Signature oil painting copyright 2020

And finally another recent photograph. I liked the cluster of trees and the slight slope of the land on the right. Again, there’s potential, but it needed more.

In the painting below the coloration in the trees were enhanced and more vegetation in the grasses were added for interest.

So, what do you like best; photo or painting? Hopefully this comparison will help you realize that photos are only good for reference, not to copy verbatim. Choose the best parts of your photos and make it your own. Hope you liked this little Painting vs Photos usage tip.

By the way these paintings are currently on eBay as either an auction or fixed price. You can access all via my user profile.

Thank you and take care!