Feb 11, 2012 - North Toward Mt Equinox From Carpenter Hill Road, BenningtonVermont

Looking North toward Mt. Equinox from Carpenter Hill Road, Bennington, VT.  Similar to my sketch from Feb. 10, this scene takes in near middle and far distance.   The most attractive thing about the scene on this particular morning was the light green-blue of the sky that was showing through the gray clouds.  The sky is often this color in the winter months – not sure why, but I always find it subtle and beautiful.  Also like my sketch from yesterday, I found the light/dark patterns  of the middle ground fields against the darker forested areas another attractive element.

I’ve often been asked about where I start, continue and end in a painting.  The answer is – “it depends” – I’ll start a painting where ever it seems right.  In the case of this sketch, I worked it in the fairly standard way – sky first, distant mountains next, middle ground next, and the small bit of foreground last.

The colors are pretty much my standard “winter palette” but with the addition of Thalo blue and lemon yellow to create the light turquoise of the clear sky.   The sketch is about 8” x 11” and was done in a Kilimanjaro Original Bright White Paintbook.
Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.

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“Farmyard”

9″ x 13″

This is one of what I often describe as one of my “drive by” paintings.  Most of my paintings are the result of series of sketches and studies that culminate in a so-called finished painting.  Sketches completed on location are usually the starting point in this process, and I very much enjoy the “en plein air” painting experience.  Although I always have sketching gear with me when I am away from the studio, I don’t always have the time to stop and sketch.

That was the case with this work.  I spotted the scene as I was driving by, back in early December.  Late in the afternoon, with only a small amount of snow on the ground at the time,  I passed by this forlorn looking building surrounded by fields that looked as if they had not been tended in quite some time.   Along with the building was a single tree – sapling really – casting a long shadow across the yard.   My car flashed by as I did my best to commit the scene to memory.   Within a day or so, I had sketched out a composition on paper and begun to paint.  After several sessions of studio work – this painting emerged.

This and other works on this site are available for purchase. Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.

"Woods Edge - Afternoon"

5″ x 7″

Private Collection

This small painting  begun as a quick sketch study for a larger watercolor work. The painting itself has a nice feel on its own and so became a more finished work.

This and other works on this site are available for purchase. Contact me if you have an interest in this or any other paintings on the site. Email me at tc@tonyconner.com or by phone at 802-375-5548.