This is a recently completed studio painting, which answers a challenge presented 12.31.11 on dailypaintworks.com. The "Change the Color" challenge was posted by Carol Marine. Her concept is that it doesn't really matter what colors an artist uses in representational painting -- as long as the values are correct the painting will read as it should.

The challenge stated that we should start with a value study in burnt umber, and then paint the changed colors over it. I prefer transparent red iron oxide for a value study, which is what I used. There is a photo of the value study, and another photo of a collage of the source photo, value study and finished painting all together. Note I took some artistic license when composing my painting.

Carol suggested that we could use random colors when we change them. I decided to change one color and base all other colors on that change. And decided to try this with a landscape because I am a landscape painter, and at that point no one had answered the challenge with a landscape. I chose red = green as my color change. Using the trees at the left as my base color of red=green, I worked my way back through the landscape, cooling the reds which became violet when cooled. Then I worked my way to the foreground when the reds warmed to become oranges.

The view is a cove behind Maple Hall in Claiborne, Maryland, which looks out to Eastern Bay of the Chesapeake Bay. I have painted this cove many times and love the way this view is layered with points of land jutting from the right and left. Using the concept of red=green, I tried to catch the atmosphere and feel of this beautiful sunny day at my one of my favorite painting spots.

This painting is on Ampersand Gessoboard (gessoed hardboard panel), has been lightly sprayed with a reworkable varnish for protection, and is sold unframed.

Please note the colors may vary depending on your monitor.

The finished painting was painted over the value study. You are bidding on the finished painting. Click here to bid