"Journey in Time" Santa Fe Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Journey in Time," Santa Fe, NM ©2016 Niki Gulley

12" x 24" textured oil painting

On the final day of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed to this quiet dead end road to paint the church at Canyoncito. The only traffic we saw all morning was one car and 2 bicyclists, which allowed us to really concentrate on the scene. The church is so charming that I decided to paint it in the setting around it to add to that idyllic feel. I loved how the brilliant white of the stucco and the red roof made the church stand out against all of the greenery and blue sky. Choosing the panorama format helps to set the scene and adding long shadows from the left, leads your eye into the composition and to the focal point.

Painting at Canyoncito.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops.

For more information on Dallas art classes, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details about this New Mexico painting.

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Day 5, Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 5, morning location, Canyoncito

12" x 24" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On the final day of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed to this quiet dead end road to paint the church at Canyoncito. The only traffic we saw all morning was one car and 2 bicyclists, which allowed us to really concentrate on the scene. The church is so charming that I decided to paint it in the setting around it to add to that idyllic feel. I loved how the brilliant white of the stucco and the red roof made the church stand out against all of the greenery and blue sky.

Niki Gulley painting along side Terri at Canyoncito.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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Plein-Air Painting in Santa Fe with Niki Gulley, Day 4

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 4, morning location - Rio Chama

9" x 12" oil by Niki Gulley

Today we headed back towards Abiquiu and set up our easels at the edge of this scenic overlook to capture the Rio Chama below. While the whole landscape is gorgeous, it is way too much information to capture on a small canvas, not too mention being able to paint the light quick enough before it changes in the afternoon. So we simplified the composition, breaking the hills and foliage into simple shapes and blocks of color. I loved the curving lines the various elevations and river formed, so I focused on that flow and movement, accentuating the energy of nature with my strokes.

Students painting at the Rio Chama.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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Painting Rancho de Taos with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 3, morning location - Rancho de Taos

10" x 8" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 3 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed north to paint Rancho de Taos, made famous in paint by Georgia O'Keefe and in film by Ansel Adams. Today each of my students saw the adobe structure differently, and each chose a unique perspective of the building. Spending most of the morning helping everyone with perspective and getting accurate angles on this tricky pueblo, I had just enough time to do a quick  palette knife sketch of a close up of the church. Choosing vibrant golds and reds for the bell tower set against a gorgeous cobalt sky, really made the colors sing!

Above: Barbara Moore working in pastels at Rancho de Taos, with faithful companion, Shiloh.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

***

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