I have been taking classes from a local teacher and artist, Harvey Cusworth, through a seminar and adult ed classes in oil painting. He is an experienced teacher and one who pays attention to each student, gives good suggestions and advice. Additionally, he is an experienced teacher which, in my opinion, adds a lot of value to a class as he is very aware of how a classroom of unruly kids or adults can act!
In the seminar we started landscapes, but because of getting sick, I missed two of the classes along with a number of adult ed classes. I decided to continue into the adult ed class the landscape I had started in the seminar just because I thought it challenging but also something I wanted to paint – a landscape from the back country here in Ventura County.
First: my final (as of this writing) version of the painting.
And now, it’s evolution. First, Harvey’s photo which was the subject matter – in color and then reduced to black and white to get a sense of values.
Next, my own rather goofy value study, painted in color and then reduced into black and white.
This painting is done in oils, and has taken me several hours over several days to complete it. Even now, I have to let it sit and dry and regard it a bit more carefully to see what I think of it. As it is still wet I took a photo of it, and in places there is some glare, seen more clearly when enlarged. 11×14 on a cotton canvas panel.
As above, I like to see what my work looks like when turned to black and white – for values. Also, it is just fun to do! I just use the sliders in LR to reduce vibrancy and saturation reduced to -100. Doing this is really a good way fro me to evaluate contrast and such.
So, there we are. In general, I am pretty pleased with this painting. The goal is to lead the eye along the creek to the small stand of tree at the top of the creek. I wanted to show the brightness of the barren mountains in the distance, but did not want them to become overwhelming. The BW image of the final painting shows that the mountains are very similar in value as the sky. Is this an issue? Not sure. Things like this are to be considered in a few days when it is no longer in front of me.
Now, on to other things, like cleaning my brushes . . .
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
Wow, -N, this is a great study–at least for me. I never considered values as far as photography. You’ve given me a new tool. Is it crazy that I like your black and white version?
Thanks, Anne! No, it is not crazy to like the black and white one. I often turn color photos into black and white – as you have – and they can often be more attractive or interesting that the color ones. I personally prefer photo portraits in black and white – and some landscapes – so why not?
😍
I think you achieved your goal of painting the light and the course of the stream. It’s true to the photograph.
Thanks, Laura Kate. Not an exciting picture, but it was a decent painting . . . 😉