Monday, January 3, 2011

Palm #010311-SOLD

8x6
My workshop in key west starts tomorrow morning and i got out this afternoon looking for places to take the class. thing is.... everywhere you look there's a great painting, so we wont have to go far from the center. today i peddled all around the island on my bike, getting my bearings, and found out just how out of shape i got over the holidays. but i also found this great late afternoon palm scene. by doing these studies of palms you learn to understand the structure of the tree. how to best describe it simply, in paint. you want them to look effortless when theyre anything but (especially when i first get here) not only that, they sway in the breeze changing shape everytime you look up at them. knowing them intimately (by doing these studies) helps you immensely, and after doing them awhile you can even "fake" em, if you have to.

3 comments:

Justin Holdren said...

Hope you are having a great time in WARM Key West while we are shivering here in NC :) I haven't been to the Keys since I was 16 years old, I would love to go back soon for a painting trip. This piece is awesome!

mike rooney studios said...

justin- yeah, you cant complain about temps in the high 70's, palms, and sea breezes. everywhere you go jimmy buffet music is floating in the air. whats not to love. get down soon as you can!
thanks for the nice words about this piece

Unknown said...

Cool paintings.