I intended to post this on St. Patrick’s Day, but I was interrupted and didn’t get a chance to finish it until now! Here are my husband & I celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and my Sister & Bro. in Law’s Anniversary at a local pub đ We had a ball, especially loved being serenaded by a local barbershop quartet.
It has been a busy few weeks here on the farm, with the arrival of six new lambs. I am so relieved that all were born with no complications or fuss. I will be more confident going into next season because of that. I love sitting in my office and watching them frolic in the pasture together. They are bonding with each other, racing and leaping and gamboling in twisting, prancing, hopping leaps across the brilliant green field. Each day they gain confidence and energy. As soon as they finish frolicking, they snuggle down into a sweet little bundled up ball for a nap.
My daughter with ‘Patsy’
Amelia and Laurel with ‘Reba’ and ‘Dixie’
My Oldest with ‘Rosie’
Spring is definitely my favorite season! Here in Oregon, green is the color of spring, the first indication that the season is changing as bulbs and leaves unfurl. For me, green is the color of home, of growth and of calm. It is fresh cut grass and luxurious cool shade.
My table for a dinner party – I love the spring flowers and mini-pussywillows!
I’ve noticed my recent work has included more green, a color I rarely used in my figure paintings. I am enjoying mixing some of the more neutral greens and contrasting the pure brilliant greens with pink and red complimentary accents. Those of you new to color mixing might be interested in seeing some of the mixes I use for greens, as well as some of my favorite tube greens.
The top mix is Phthalo Green with Quinacridone Gold – one of my favorites for the evergreen trees here in the Northwest.
Next I’ve mixed Phthalo Green with Cadmium Orange… because the orange is more opaque, it really makes a very nice dark.
Phthalo Green with Manganese Blue makes a nice aqua green.
Phthalo Green with Indian Yellow makes a beautiful ‘kelly’ green. The yellow has just enough red in it to neutralize the green a little bit, while still making a nice clear color.
Rich Green Gold by Daniel Smith is a beautiful, neutralized green to begin with. The first mix I added Manganese blue, which gives a nice granulated effect. Â Next I mixed Rich Green Gold with Permanent Rose… got a little carried away with the P.R. Next up is Rich Green Gold with Cobalt Blue. CB has a lot of red in it, which makes the blue green very dull or neutral. That neutral mix makes the next color pop even more!
Spring Green is an American Journey paint by Cheap Joe’s. I love its purity…. At top I’ve mixed it with Cobalt Blue to tone it down a little.
Next I tried it with Permanent Rose… a lovely blend.
Here is Spring Green with Quinacridone Gold… one of my second favorite mixes.
And finally Spring Green with Cadmium Yellow. I love it!
Try mixing some of your tube greens with yellows or blues. See what you can come up with!
Lucky ewe! Adorable lambs and great blog as always!
Thanks Marilyn!
Wonderful blog, Ruth!
Thank you Jansi!
Oh, I love seeing your farm and your baby animals. And your greens are gorgeous. Happy springtime to you!
roxanne
Likewise Roxanne!
I’ve been working on greens, too. Really appreciate you sharing your experiments!
Loved your recent post Sue… Everyone should click over to your blog too!
I mix some paints…right after I get my gamboling taken care of đ You have a very interesting life! Laura
Hi Laura- yes! I do manage to stay busy!
I love the tips on how to make greens- always a challenge for me. Thanks!
You are welcome Leslie! Happy painting!
What a nice sharing! Family Life and adorable babes. Sunny
Thank you Sunny!
I would love to look out of my studio window to see lambs frolicking in green fields. Monkeys will have to do for the time being. They are extremely entertaining though not such fun when they raid the kitchen.
Thanks Robyn! I do feel very blessed to be the guardian of these sweet creatures! I can imagine that monkeys would have their own amusing, if less controllable, antics!