Studies for Larger Painting

These are some of the studies that I've done in preparation for a larger painting.  I found this view when I was out drawing one day.  It shows the hills with houses on them and the abundence of summer plants.  This is one of the aspects of the landscape that I'm interested in showing the viewer.

I first made the drawing, and have made small paintings as studies since then.  These are the lastest two, when I started to pull back and focus on the house in the foreground.  It's shadow and contrast from the space behind it are two parts of the color and composition that I've been figuring out.

These studies will inform a larger painting.

I've been working in this area at the same time of day to keep the shadows consistent.  As I've been working here, I've started to get a feel for what happens on this street everyday.  I see the same people walking or driving by at the same time each day.  Faces have become familiar.  I've seen people come and go.  There is a landscaping bussiness just down the hill.  People will walk up the street and return later with bags of groceries in their hands.

One of the things I've learned working at this spot is how important it is to work on a painting in the shade.  The sunlight reflecting off the painting changes the way my eye sees the colors.  Then, when taken inside, the colors and values of the painting are off.  When working in the shade, the colors and values will stay more consistent with how I want them.  I've been sitting under a nearby tree, but I will need to purchase a painting box that can keep my masonite boards out of the sun when I'm working.