Ballard-Inspired Triptych Landscape

A while back, Jessica at Running with Scissors posted a fun triptych landscape painting she made for her mantle.
Here's her version:

 via Running with Scissors 

 I loved it...and thought it was about time I tried some "fine" art painting. (In the very loosest sense!)  I looked at her inspiration picture from Ballard Designs:

via Ballard Designs

and decided I'd have a go.  Since we moved into our current home, I had altered decor enough I was ready for a change.  I did paint quite a bit in high school, like I mentioned HERE...but it's been a long time since I tried anything like this.  I purchased a two-pack of canvases on sale, and painted over my old bathroom "art".

I started with a coat of black acrylic craft paint.

Then I added layers for earth and sky (and yes, I was painting on the bathroom floor.)

I let this dry, and tried to sand through in spots to the black, but it didn't work at all for me.  I studied the Ballard art some more, and started over.  I used to paint with oils, and the acrylic was an adjustment.  I realized that using glazing medium made the acrylic act more like oil, and got to work.  My final art work, (after two coats of sealer) look like this:

Rather than sand through to reveal the dark paint, I painted dark edges.  Over all I'm pleased with how they turned out.  All together, in their proper place:

It completely changed the vibe in our bathroom.  I love how it came together.  I actually found my old oil paints and brushes at my mom's house a few weeks ago and brought them home.  Maybe when the busy summer is over, I might try some more painting.


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