Unfinished and Svengoolie

A couple of "unfinished" pictures, that I am trying to work through. I know they are not done, but not sure what to do with them.  Any comments would be welcome.

"Canmore Fishing Spot" 12 x 16

We were in Canmore, Alberta and my nephew wanted to go fishing. So while he fished, and the other grown ups there advised him how, I set up to paint the location. Disaster. I had no value changes in the painting, and the drawing was not very good. So we had a photo from my vantage point where I worked this piece together. I still have not added in the fishers, but I'm just not sure about whether to call it complete without them, or to find a way to fit them in.

"Svengoolie" is a television show on Saturday nights that shows an old horror film from the 30's or 40's. I usually turn on the TV and then paint while I listen in the background. 

This weeks Svengoolie picture came from a walk we did along the Pitt River, and came across this old stump, with rocks leading down to the water. My wife stood next to it, and came up only half way, and Champ just liked that he could go down to the river and get wet.

It just doesn't feel finished. I kept my brush work loose, but I think it could be the values of the background trees. Originally, it is just the side of the mountain with a thick fog that hung over it, but I wanted to make it a little more interesting, and turn it into an island. 

"Stump on the Pitt" 18 x 24

Comments are welcome.

"Pump House" 8 x 10

This was a quick stop on a dike walk, but I really liked it (the photo isn't that good, but it is only an iphone). The second was the same pump house from another angle. They have have them all along the dike to pump water from the drainage ditches. The cranberries are just being harvested now, so I am hoping to get out and paint them soon.

"Pump Houses and blueberry fields" 8 x 10

 

Since I mentioned him, I thought I should include Champ here. He helps me find good painting spots. Our fifth child.

I decided to start this blog for a couple of reasons. I wanted to capture my thoughts about paintings I was working on, and to be able to detail my adventures in painting.
I have been painting landscapes in oil off and on for a while now, but have taken it up this last January again. It has been a good start, but let's see where it goes.

And away we go ...

"Three trees and the blueberry fields - South Alouette" 16 x 20

This is a spot near where I walk Champ. It caught my eye and I painted it as small 8 x 10 (see below). I tried some new techniques, primarily mixing the paint on the canvas (lay down some blue, and then work the yellow in to create my greens), and was happy with the result. Enjoy.