Another painting from memory. I spent my teenage years on Lake Erie and one morning the water was like a smooth pane of glass. After many sketches, this 16 x 20 oil on canvas is my attempt to capture that morning.

Hey, Sam, You've pointed out the advisability of using a synthetic rigger brush for thin vertical lines. Do you dilute the paint in any way when painting the thin lines? I don't use turps or mineral spirits and it doesn't seem to be working with linseed oil the way it used to in the past. Are some brands of brushes particulary recommended more than others? I can't thank you enough for this awesome SKOOL. Carol

A painting painted about 12 years ago, oil

I have a problem with mixing greens by cad yellow med. The color on the screen is different from mine as one can see on the pictures attached. So the greens are dull. I tried to add Winsor yellow pale and it’s a little better, but I don’t understand why my ultramarine blue + cad yellow med by winsor and newton does not work. Please, advise.

It has been a long time since I have picked up a brush. Thirty years ago I painted nearly daily and was decent. Over the weekend, inspired by my wife’s gifts of paint and brushes I gave it a shot. It was frustrating but very enjoyable. I welcome your comments. The scene are Olive trees from Gasperina, Italy, overlooking the Mediterranean. The trees were old and gnarled (and yes the one in the foreground had a hole through it). I will post the scene photo I used too. I will start off the first comment. In the background, is that a line of trees or a very large caterpillar.