"Around the Bend"

"Around the Bend", 18" x 24", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

I continue to be fascinated with painting water. This oil painting is based on a stretch of the Hoosic River here in North Pownal, that we frequently pass by during our bicycle rides. I love the way when you look down the river, you can't see what is just around the bend. That is left to your imagination.

This painting can now be seen at Deborah Davis Fine Art in Hudson, NY.

New Paintings Delivered to AZ Fine Arts

"Still Water", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

I just delivered three new paintings to AZ Fine Arts in Wellesley Hills, MA.


"Vernal Pool", 24" x 30"

So for any of you in the greater Boston area, you can now see two of my recent water paintings, "Still Water" and "Vernal Pool", as well as a smaller piece, "Sugar Hill".


"Sugar Hill", 18" x 24"

This painting is based on an early spring view of a very rounded hill, locally known as "Sugar Hill".

Value Study

"Vernal Pool", 24" x 30", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

Lately I have been incorporating my digital camera and computer in my painting process to give me an instant view of the value pattern. As a painting is progressing, I will take a photo of it. Then in a photo program, I convert the image from color into sepia tones, which easily shows me how well the value pattern of lights and darks is working.


"Vernal Pool", sepia tone photo

The main emphasis of my work is on color. There can be a great pattern set up between different colors, but I also want the painting to show well in dim light when the colors are barely visible. Viewing a small digital image in sepia tones with all color removed basically gives me an instant value study, which I find very helpful in developing strong compositions.