Here is the second painting in my Larchmont, New York commissioned series for the wonderful Hoffman family. This particular 24″X30″ canvas is painted from the perspective of sitting in the hot tub… and is aptly entitled, “Laura’s Favorite Place”.

This is view from sitting in the tub… which served as the central perspective point. This is Laura’s favorite place, so I wanted to capture the views at magic hour.

Did you say process video? With a score created by Mr. Tony Black — courtesy of Tony Black/Orange Key?

Taking notes… figuring out what to include and how to orchestrate the composition.

A quick sketch on the canvas to nail things down.

And, ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Hoffman ladies… Laura and Berry… ready to hit the town.

Ah yes, collaged, with a touch of blue to start nailing down the sky and water.

Starting to sprinkle the house… this composition was complex, in that the painting depicts the view from sitting in the hot tub. Half of it was painted while I stood above the hot tub, on-location, to absorb the experience. The second half was done in the studio, referencing a perspective-accurate hybrid photograph.

Dark and Stormy by Laura? Check. Sexy wife in her bikini within eyesight? Check. Painting by the pool on a weekday for a living? Check mate.

Working on getting a feel, starting to splash the greens.

The foreground populated by some slate purple, mixed from four different tones.

Finally, the picture begins to take shape and the space becomes plausible. It’s strange to see the early/mid stages after completion, the in-progress image is more interesting at this stage then you remember.

Adding dark tones for me is about as close to a heavy addiction I will ever experience. Feels so good.

Into the studio for completion… time to make that water dramatic, and explore the reflection on the water.

It was critical to capture the mood and experience of sitting in the hot tub at magic hour. Leaves take on an almost impossible shade of nearly pure yellow, and the foreground is dark, yet complex.

And the final! Beyond the days spent painting on-location, the greatest source of understanding for this piece was the time spent in the hot tub, conversing with Laura (and company). Her memories and experience of living and raising her family at this house inspired each aspect of the canvas.

Here is the previous painting in the series, for Mr. E.C. — a view of the front of the house. When you walk around back, you will see the hot tub, and second painting’s perspective.

Dig the sounds of the video? Here is an awesome/inspiring video starring Tony Black, courtesy of Ogilvy and their “Create or Else” series.

Thank you for the great musical enhancement T. Finally, here is a write-up about this series in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Patch.

Thank you Max. How did the team do?