{"id":348,"date":"2026-07-04T02:34:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T02:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/?p=348"},"modified":"2026-07-04T02:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T02:38:57","slug":"the-winding-way-7x12-live-painting-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/?p=348","title":{"rendered":"The Winding Way 6&#215;8 \u2013 Live Painting Session!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Making Of - The Winding Way 6x8 LIVE!\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/47hLTTY8EEk?feature=oembed&#038;wmode=opaque\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transcript and Key Insights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This photo is from about 12 to 13 years ago, just a basic image of a field with a couple of trees in the background. On its own, it\u2019s laughable. But I set it aside a few weeks back because I really liked those trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s where modern tools come in handy. I used AI image generation to help compose the reference, and I think that\u2019s a genuinely great use of it. I cut out a section and asked for a country road, and the AI did a better job than Photoshop ever could. Otherwise, this would\u2019ve just been an empty field, which doesn\u2019t work visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I noticed: the two tree masses in the original reference were quite far spread from each other. So I used some techniques to bring them closer together. I made a duplicate, brought in the other tree, and repositioned it. Now I\u2019ve got something that actually works as a composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"734\" src=\"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-1024x734.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-1024x734.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-1536x1100.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/The-Winding-Way-5x7-2-2048x1467.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Winding Way 6&#215;8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting the Drawing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re working on a five by seven today. I grabbed this size because I wasn\u2019t thinking of making anything too big, the economy\u2019s been challenging, and I like to build up my inventory of smaller paintings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me talk about the trees themselves. The first tree doesn\u2019t have a trunk in the reference, but we\u2019re putting one in right now. I learned this lesson early on when I was still in California. A lot of those California Oaks have foliage that goes all the way to the ground, no visible trunk. And I discovered very quickly: <strong>a tree without a trunk is a bush.<\/strong> Write that down. It\u2019s one of the most important lessons I can pass along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second tree in this composition is about three-quarters visible. Here\u2019s another critical tip: half a tree never works. Three-quarters of a tree works. A whole tree works. But half a tree just falls flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Breaking Up the Composition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The road in the reference is a bit too windy from the AI generation. I used the liquify tool to de-windify it somewhat. I want some windiness, that\u2019s natural, but not so much that it becomes distracting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing about this field: there are red weeds flowing in horizontal patterns. I don\u2019t want to stick to that 100%, but I do want to break them up. You never want anything too uniform. It\u2019s the same principle as wave rules in ocean painting. You don\u2019t want to draft too much in these situations. Let the paint do the talking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I look at the reference, I see zillions of sky holes, little gaps where sky peeks through the foliage. That\u2019s something we\u2019ll address as we paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Lessons in Tree Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third tree in our scene has a lump-like shape in the reference. It\u2019s not the most beautiful form. Here\u2019s the thing: use what\u2019s good in your reference, but if a tree doesn\u2019t have a great shape, do your own thing. Some of your trees will have noble shapes you can emphasize. Others need your artistic intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And again, if we can get a trunk in, it won\u2019t read as a bush. Bush syndrome is real. No matter how hard you work or how good your painting abilities are, ultimately a tree without a trunk is a bush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019m watching out for one-two-three patterns in the composition, where elements line up in a row. That\u2019s monotonous. I want rhythm and variation instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Color Mixing Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s talk about what we mixed for this painting. I started with blue, Art Spectrum, though the brand doesn\u2019t really matter. I added a little umber to bring in more warmth, and some ivory to lighten it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the sky, I\u2019m not going too dark. I made a little patch of blue to have on the side for reference. The sky in our reference is quite a bit lighter than my initial mix, so I adjusted by adding a little burnt umber to get closer to that tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key thing here is complexity. That complexity, along with brushwork, is what makes paintings sing. You could have virtuoso brushwork, but if your colors are too plain or too non-natural feeling, something\u2019s missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I made several gray tones, a warmer gray and a cooler gray. For the warm gray, I used ochre with a tempera-based red to bring in some greenness. For the cool grays, I used mics gray. The idea is having variation so you\u2019re not just painting one flat value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the whites, I used yellow ochre and raw umber as a base. I didn\u2019t want it too creamy or too yellow, but there needed to be that yellowness to it. Then I brought in some buff titanium for my lightest light, and just a tiny amount of cadmium yellow, watch how that has a giant impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Big tip<\/strong>: if your color mix starts going off the rails and you\u2019ve added too much paint, put some aside. Then start adjusting. Often you can just add it back in once you\u2019ve got things headed in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grass and Field Colors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the grass tones, I started with the darkest shade. I brought in Mars yellow, and watch how cad yellow will always green things up quite a lot. Then I mixed lighter versions by adding white, though I wasn\u2019t shy about it because the grasses are dry, not green, and we don\u2019t mind a little chalkiness in that situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also made a highlight green using permanent green light, which is greener than mics green. Mics green sits right in the middle, but for dry grasses, you want something fresher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Painting the Sky<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting with the sky, I applied my color. I wanted to keep it broken up, not just smooth transitions, but interesting variations. The sky has clouds, and they\u2019re not small. I don\u2019t do mostly blue sky with little white clouds. That\u2019s just not my thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One technique that\u2019s critical: you don\u2019t want your highlights following the cloud shape exactly. That creates what I call the halo effect. You want some chunks and irregularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I used a corner of a relatively new flat brush to make moves that a filbert just can\u2019t manage. And here\u2019s something important: if I was independently wealthy, I\u2019d start with a new brush every time. But I\u2019ve learned the secrets of proper brush cleaning, so my brushes last longer than they used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Painting the Road and Foreground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The road needed to be more than just one color. I kept it fairly strong, adding some depth. The grass came in next, I had three grass colors mixed and ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s where that red foundation matters. I painted some of the red-weeds first, then came in with the grass colors over top. That way, when you add the lighter greens, you get bits of red peeking through underneath. That\u2019s what creates visual interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I noticed: when you keep messing with things, you mess them up. That\u2019s just facts. You can argue with me, but you can\u2019t argue with the facts. The best way to avoid losing to win is to just put down your strokes and leave them. Move on to a different part of the painting. When you come back later, you see opportunities you didn\u2019t see before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Details and the Finish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the trees\u2019 dark tones, I used strong blacks carefully, I didn\u2019t let them go too high. I painted the back mountain lighter to create depth and separation from the foreground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those sky holes? I replaced them with highlights rather than leaving them empty. That works better visually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the end, when you find yourself hunting around for colors that are already gone, that\u2019s a pretty good clue you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I really enjoyed this motif today. I\u2019d like to do more paintings like this, more inland scenes rather than just coastal work. There\u2019s real beauty in these rolling hills and country roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every painting you do is going to be great, and that\u2019s okay. Someone\u2019s favorite painting might be one you don\u2019t think is your best. Someone else\u2019s favorite could be one you think is just mediocre. The point is to paint, to share, and to teach. If it resonates with people, that\u2019s enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take good care of yourself. Stay out of trouble. And fight the power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mike&#8217;s New Site<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.substack.com\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Substack<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapepainter.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Painting Website<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapepainter.co.nz\/mailing-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mailing List<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapepainter.co.nz\/products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Store<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/abyssm.bandcamp.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My Music<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.landscapepainter.co.nz\/donate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Support<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCS6NSbrJaICWu2Oztt_PXeA\/join\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Members Area<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M Francis McCarthy, Your Painter in Residence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Transcript and Key Insights This photo is from about 12 to 13 years ago, just a basic image of a field with a couple of trees in the background. On its own, it\u2019s laughable. But I set it aside a few weeks back&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":349,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-painting","rsfv-has-video"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=348"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":356,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348\/revisions\/356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=348"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=348"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mfrancismccarthy.art\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=348"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}