A Good Day!

 

"The Day Begins"

By James Swanson/ Traveler Steven Procter

18"x14" oil on linen panel

Watch the painting journey of this painting and find out more about this project below.

The Artist Jim Swanson met Traveler Steven Procter through a few other UK walker friends  who just marvel at Stevens shots.

Traveler Steven Procter

I've always liked Steven’s sense of humor in his photo albums.

Steven's the ice beast 

It seems he had something funny to say about his photos that made them even more enjoyable to look at.

Photo from Stevens photo album

Traveler Steven’s Story: A fine short stroll from Silecroft up to one of my favorite fells. 

A little cairn on a minor top.

Conditions: great,

People: rare, Peace and quiet: total.

Steven's photo that I used for inspiration.

Artist and Traveler Painting"The Day Begins" Traveler Steven's walks have always inspired me and getting a chance to paint one was a treat. I picked this photo of Steven's because it was really different from all of the rest of my Traveler paintings. It's has so many contrasts in color, dark and lights it kept me thinking all the way through.
The steps to "The Day Begins"

The sketch on canvas. Steven's photo already had a nice design so all I had to do was a few shifts here and there. moving the man to the left a little was the main shift.

The Dark colors of the painting were put in first. With this painting it was over half the painting. One of the most important things of this painting is the shifts warm darks and the cool darks.

This painting went fast. With such a simple color scheme this painting was blocked in in no time.

With most of the big areas painted in it was time to define the man walking a bit. Keeping him painted the same as the rest of the painting is something that I had to be conscious of while working on this painting..

Keeping my darks and lights clean is one of the things I watch out for in my paintings. I try and put them in correctly the first time leaving only the middle tones to be adjusted.

Done.One of the things that I liked about this painting was the variety of darks in the shadows. Capturing them was a little bit of a challenge. Figuring out the warms and the cools is what makes the painting.

Details of the painting:

Framed and ready to go.

"The Day Begins"

By James Swanson/ Traveler Steven P.

18"x14" oil on linen panel

 This painting was a bit of a challenge and a lot of fun to paint. Many thanks and get well wishes go out to my friend Steven who I hope is on the mend with his battle. Your photos are inspiring Steven, and I hope to paint some more soon.

The Artist and the Traveler is always on the look out for good stories and exciting places. Pass them a long and maybe one will end up in this project. Send them here or see www.theartistandthetraveler.org for more info.

Until next time Talley Ho