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Cloud Studies

I learned to appreciate progressive sketching with artist and teacher Adriano Farinella. Adriano is an oil painter and master of cloudscapes; he works over multiple sessions on small studies with unifying themes. The challenge is to paint all the essential information without over-articulating.

Gallery

"Nocturne" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 9 x 12

Nocturne was one of my original cloud studies: the theme of the board was clouds in a moonlit sky.

"Leading Lady" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 9 x 12

I have painted multiple boards exploring backlit cloud masses. Leading Lady is my favorite.

"Morning Light" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 8 x 10

Morning Light is a more colorful approach to the theme of a massive cloud bank over a field bathed in light.

"Colossus" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 6 x 8

Colossus captures what I love best about the sketching project: providing just enough detail to establish a scene and capture a mood.

"Backlit" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 12 x 12

There is always one problem child on a board. Backlit has been through several iterations; for now, I’m satisfied with where it has landed.

"Ascending" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 8 x 10

I plan to translate Ascending into a larger studio painting. The ribbons of light in the dark wedge of sky might be better rendered in oil paint.

"Coral Creek" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 9 x 12

Coral Creek is over-articulated for a sketch. I couldn’t resist the lure of painting marsh grasses, one of my favorite subjects for pastel.

"Last Glow" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 9 x 12

Last Glow remains faithful to the sketching mindset, with just a few linear marks added in the lower left corner to suggest marsh grass.

"Breaking Through" 2024 - Pastel on sanded paper, 8.5 x 11

Capturing the gorgeous sunsets over the Blue Ridge Mountains was my impetus for studying with Adriano.

"Glowing Fields" 2024 - Oil on canvas, 12 x 24

Glowing fields is the studio painting which evolved from a 4 x 8 oil sketch. Underpainting with a transparent layer of rosy orange enhanced the glow.