There's No Place Like Home

Recently I was invited to visit a beautiful antebellum home built in 1851. Nestled amidst a 250 acre farm, the house sits at the end of a drive filled with yellow daylilies, which greeted me at either side as I wandered up to the front steps. The owners, gracious and hospitable, were eager to show the well-designed grounds, and the house which had been lovingly restored to all its splendor from days gone by. The early morning was mild and fragrant, with the scent of newly mown grass and a rain from the night before. After a quick tour of the surroundings, and snapping some one hundred or more photos (really), I was eager myself to begin painting this tucked-away gem.

I selected the best ones from my photos and sent on to the clients. The photo that made the cut: a straight-forward shot of  the house  with dappled shade and morning light peeking in through the pecan trees. The light was lovely that day, golden with hints of pinks and violet. The early summer greens were facets of emerald and jade, brilliant and sparkling in the sun.

Sketching was my next course of action. First a smaller, 8″ x 10″, then satisfied with the sketch, I enlarged it to the final 16″ x 20″. Sketching for me, takes the longest, especially with homes. Measuring, checking angles and making sure proportions are correct is tedious work but necessary for an accurate painting. Creating the final drawing sometimes takes me days or weeks to achieve the sketch I’m finally happy to use for my watercolor.

Once I had carefully sketched out the enlarged version, it was time to begin the best part! Choosing a sturdy Arches 300 lb Cold-Pressed watercolor and my best Windsor-Newton professional paints, I tackled the painting.
Layering a golden green wash over the initial layer, I blocked in the lightest layers. This was a slow process but worth every bit. Then as the hour

s passed, many, many layers were laid down, each layer darker than the previous, to build depth. The darkest areas, were actually four or five layers of the same color, to achieve the most dramatic contrasts.

I worked over 23 hours in one weekend over the painting but the time seemed to pass so quickly as I found my rhythm, my “zone.” It is often that way, when I feel excited over my art, to the point I become more zealot than artist. The process of painting becomes for me, a spiritual experience.

I am excited about delivering this labor of love to my patrons.  I hope the couple and their family enjoy this painting for many years to come. I have truly enjoyed bringing it to life in paint.

JBM