New Work: Yellows at the Two Creeks, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches

Yellows at the Two Creeks, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches
Saks Galleries, Denver, CO

I did a pastel sketch of this tree grouping about two months ago and started this oil shortly after. The best way to describe this is by saying it's a composition in yellow using cottonwood trees as a starting point.

Glowing Cottonwoods pastel 7 x 9.5 inches

The pastel was more about what the cottonwoods looked like and in this oil, I focused on what the yellows can do. Everything in the painting is about setting up the those brightest, glowing spots in the  trees.

Every part of this oil has it's own life and vitality regardless of the color or brightness. As it emerged, it became more complicated than I expected but I enjoyed the challenge.

After a number of adjustments, the background was still off with too much darkness in the back. I tried a number of color variations but it was still lacking something.

Finally, I came up with the idea of adding more yellows at the upper-right, giving the background more depth and interest and the entire composition came together in a more interesting way.

I'm looking forward to more variations of this idea because you never know what can happen when you follow the needs of the oil instead of the source material. 

New Work: Dusk Approaching, oil on canvas, 48 x 30 inches

Dusk Approaching
Oil on canvas, 48 X 30 inches  $6400 framed
Arden's Gallery, Houston, TX

As it often happens, this canvas started out as a fairly bright autumn piece. In that first version, there was something good about the way the blues and lavenders played off each other.

I added more of that combination because it was delicious to do so. At some point, the autumn scene became more of an evening mass of trees with the addition of more greens.

The painting has 5-6 discreet color zones, each complimenting the others and keeping the oil from being too monochrome. I made a point in the last painting session to separate all of the remaining colors but in subtle ways. The color is pushed a bit as well but within the idea of a receding dusk / tranquil moment in the forest. The lighting is not too bright, but enough to allow all the colors to glow.

Workshop: Castle Rock, CO: April 15-18, 2017

Ken Elliott
Winters Morning II
oil on canvas 60 x 60 inches
Exhibiting: Saks Gallery, Denver

Here is an opportunity to make your artworks soar!

Complete Workshop information and registration

Casey Klahn
Long Remembered New Vision
13" x 21"
Pastel

May 15-18, 2017

Castle Rock, CO (Denver Metro)

Casey Klahn and I will be holding a 4-day intensive art workshop at my home / studio in Castle Rock, CO (Denver metro)
$690. per person
3 openings left

Open to artists in all media. This is a two-instructor workshop for artists wanting to make advancements in their techniques and strategies. Casey and Ken will have ample time to give very focused attention to individuals and offer a number of provoking ideas to the group. Also, Ken will present simple Photoshop techniques for taking your works to the next level and creating better pathways for finishing your artworks. You will be given a Photoshop instruction guide and have access to Ken's personal photo file of over 1500 inspiring images by various artists. Register here