http://www.toddstarks.net Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:54:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Steam trumpet blows two longs and a short Moon hangs nearly within reach of sleepy groves Pins of light rattle night's undefeated sky Firefly paparazzi line the bare road Praises for splendor For daughters asleep For rich blessings http://www.toddstarks.net/3136 by Clint Watson This Christmas week, your editor sits at his keyboard pecking out a living.  I am driven to write. Some days, I write computer code that becomes software that, hopefully, artists and others find useful...other days, like today, instead of functions and variables, words and sentences flow forth and become ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2719 by Keith Bond This article is by Keith Bond, Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.  You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here. It can sometimes be difficult to sort through all the advice we receive about marketing art.  Some of the information seems contradictory – even ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2713 Ta da!!! Finally, a solution that makes sense. The problem: Too cool overall. I lost that wonderful orange color that made this piece interesting at an earlier stage. Contrast is what makes a painting interesting—contrast of size, color, shape, texture, value, or temperature. The missing ingredient was temperature and color contrast! The solution: So ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2616 Problem of the trees on Center Island being out of proportion has been solved. I increased the height of the trees at the banks of the river to match better the island. I am very happy with the way the trees reflect against the dark shadow. I used a very dull ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2612 Perspective is coming together now. I'm liking how the trees coming together pretty well. The burnt sienna wash is screaming through the complementary green in a way that is very pleasing. Problem is, the plan I have includes covering most of the sienna with opaque greens. We shall see how well ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2608 The dark shadow value of the blue is in place and now it's on the the trees. Starting at the back (top) I work my way forward with very muddy green colors with a light value, creating atmospheric perspective. I got a little impatient and decided to rough in some of ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2602 The underpainting is serving me well as a map at this stage. I'm painting the trees a mixture of ultramarine, white and a bit of raw umber to give it a more organic flavor, which will become the shadows behind the trees once they are completed. Remember, in this piece ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2591 Labor day, I spent the day with my wife and our dog driving down highway 35 (which follows the river) in Wisconsin and then hiking the Iowa side of the Mississippi. It was a perfect day for some photography, so I shot a few pics from an observatory. Really great, ... http://www.toddstarks.net/2585 That's right A full term of introspection and detection Formulation and consternation Review and renew The finish line is in sight at last A true end to the woods Uncovering sky-less darkness License to run fast from the past Blessings to me and, anyway How was your day? http://www.toddstarks.net/2571