Scrape Off Any Knobs

In his book, A Light Touch, David Curtis writes that "[a]n 'unsuccessful' painting can be the basis of a new painting.  Simply scrape off any 'knobs' of colour, turn the old painting upside down ... and carry on."  So yesterday I scraped off the knobs on this 9x12 oil on panel, turned it upside down, and carried on.  The result is the mountain pond that I painted several times last year.  It's a beautiful, quiet spot, with some interruptions by passing hikers, since it's on the AT trail.  One early 'thru-hiker' apparently hadn't talked to anyone all day, so we chatted for about a half hour.

Flying Tree Limbs

For a change, I went to Field Farm yesterday morning to paint.  The trees screen the background, but I was still looking in the direction of the Hopper, which is far behind on the left.  I wanted to paint some flying tree limbs.  I've been reading David Curtis's book, Painting on Location, in which he recommends using worn brushes for effect.  Most of my brushes fit his description.  I've got some new ones on the way to mix it up a bit.