Break in the Storm

Break in the Storm is a smaller study for Breakthrough.  I like to work out the marks and colors prior to executing a large painting. There are many things to consider as well when you go from smallish to large to create depth and flow. This painting is made on a white panel so the white and dark values really pop from the start. The foreground is a series of quick marks made with a brayer and Payne’s grey oil paint. The drama comes from the contrast of the dark band of clouds enveloping the mountainous horizon, choppy foreground and finally, the explosion of sun through illuminating all the surrounding clouds.