Blue Cypress Sunset, Florida Oil Painting of Cypress Trees, Lake and Vivid Sunset by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

Blue Cypress Lake is in the middle of Florida. Large cypress trees are along the shoreline of the large lake. At sunset, the lake becomes vibrant with color. Truly Old Florida at its finest! This larger painting is now on exhibit at Leu Gardens in Orlando until July 9, 2014.

Lake Eola Fountain, Orlando City Icon by Judy Batterson

In downtown Orlando, the famous Centennial Fountain is an icon of the City Beautiful. Surrounded by a broad sidewalk, trees, a playground, and an amphitheater, Lake Eola is a hub of activity for walks and festivals. Swan boats grace the lake along with live swans. This fountain marks the center of activity for downtown as the water splashes day and night. 5 x 7 original oil painting.

Blue Cypress Sunset, a Tropical Florida Lake Sunset by Judy Batterson

“Blue Cypress Sunset” 24" x 36" original oil will be on exhibit at The Orlando Museum of Art Members Visions June 2, 2011.
Blue Cypress Lake was introduced to me by a man who loves to fish there. The lake is undeveloped except for a solitary fish camp. The rest is pure pristine Florida, filled with cypress trees and wildlife. When the sun sets, the lake turns into a sea of fiery color with silhouettes of cypress, reeds and grasses. I did not use black to paint the silhouettes but used a mixture of burnt umber with ultramarine blue or cadmium red. The effect of the darks against the lights is vivid. There are many layers of oil with the last layer consisting of grasses painted with individual brushstrokes. Blue Cypress Lake captivates those who explore it under the hanging moss of the trees! Oil on masonite. $2400

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

The finished painting! This is the final sequence in a series of six showing a painting from start to finish. The burnt umber and ultramarine blue dark silhouettes of the cypress trees with aquatic grasses and reeds stand out against the bright setting sun. The shadows are reflected in the water along with touches of light. This is a 24 x 36" oil on masonite. And it's been a fun and challenging painting journey! www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

This is the fifth photo in a sequence of six showing a painting from start to finish. The farthest part of the painting is done, so now it's time for the foreground. This is the start of the large cypress trees in Blue Cypress Lake. From the viewer's perspective, only the dark sides of the trees can be seen when looking at the sun. The shadowy darks are not painted in black but done in a mixture of burnt umber and ultramarine with variations of added oil colors. www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

This is the fourth photo in a sequence of six showing a painting from start to finish. Now that the sky and clouds are painted,
"here come the sun...little darling...sun, sun, sun, here it comes!" The sun and bright reflection of the sun on the lake are painted
in. The sun will become the focal point of the painting. The sun will also create the shadows of the objects to be painted in the
foreground. www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

This is the third photo in a sequence of six that show the painting from starting brushstrokes to the finished work. Now the background of the sky and lake have been blended so it's time for the clouds. The clouds are alternating dark and light oil paint
which, when blended, will give depth and shape to the cloud formation. www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, sequence of painting, by Judy Batterson

This is the second photo in a sequence of six photos, starting with the first brushstrokes to the finished work. In this layer, titanium white blends together the various colors already laid down on the masonite. This helps to create movement and variation without having a flat background. I am working from the farthest point back to the foreground which is the last thing added.
www.judybatterson.com

Blue Cypress Sunset, first step of painting, by Judy Batterson

This is the first step of a large oil painting of a beautiful Florida lake at sunset. If anyone saw this first step, they would never
be able to imagine the finished painting which is in my head. But, as with all things, the foundation is most important! I will be posting sequences of the painting until it is completed. Usually, it takes ten or so layers but I will post it in a sequence of six photos. www.judybatterson.com