May, working in the fields

Everything is green.  What a change from the winter months. In this first painting I am trying to capture the light late in the afternoon before sunset.  The ground values are darker than normal, but the sky remains bright.  Below is a photo of my workplace, followed by the finished piece.  This area is within walking distance from where we live, far away from it all.

Tranquility

Poggio al Tramonto oil/panel 8x10in  FOR SALE $175.00 SOLD

Next a beautiful field that is downhill by foot from our place.  It is always a struggle to work with so many greens.  My eye jumps to the mountains and sky to get some blue relief from all the green.  I was attracted to this site because of the composition and the dark trees that contrast with the light field.  

Getting the major shapes and values down, keeping light and shadow separate

Il Campo Nascosto o/c 40x50cm

Olive Trees

Painting olive trees can drive one crazy.  At a distance they become the same color as the far hills, so they disappear in your work.  Up close they have this difficult color that changes with the light and breeze -  however, the up close option is the best especially if you  warm the cool olive color slightly.  The thing that makes olive trees interesting are their trunks,  the form of the twisted wood that gives the trees character.  Below are 3 examples from the Liguria region of Northern Italy.

Gli Olivi di Case Mancin  o/c 30 x 40cm - available at Galerie Art Passion

Tra gli Olivi  o/c 30 x 40 cm

Vecchio Olivo 70 x 50 cm o/c  -  Galerie Art Passion  SOLD