Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Snow on the River

16.5 x 16.5 pastel and watercolor on Uart paper

On Monday afternoon my niece, Agne, and I went for a walk on the canal. I was double lucky again. First- it began to snow lightly (our first snow) and second -I had my camera. Agne helped me crawl and slide down to the steep, slick river bank to take many pictures. I could easily see the painting in my head before leaving the river. While the photos have helped, the image was already there. That brings up another point. It's important to take the time to visualize your painting. Sometimes I can see my way through; see all the layers. So when on location, see it. Verbalize your emotion, experience, the favor of the light. Olympic athletes do it before they compete. We artists see our dream, the painting, before doing a thing.

This one is almost complete. Now is the time it sits and I look, no impulsive moves.

8 comments:

Donna T said...

That is so beautiful Loriann! Thanks for your thoughts on visualizing the painting. Often I take a photo but it doesn't do a thing for me when I get home. Do you ever write down your impressions of the scene while you are there?

Anonymous said...

AWW!! you are the best Aunt in the world! and the best artist :)


XOXOXOXOX

loriann signori said...

Hi Donna, Thanks for taking the time to drop by my blog. As for your question, yes I often take time to write down my impressions. This includes light temperature and main color, ambient sounds, everything that makes the feel of the day. On this particular painting I simply rushed back to the studio and began my work. It was so fresh in my mind it was bursting!
Cheers! Loriann

loriann signori said...

Agne, cutest niece in the world, that has to be your comment! That walk with you was fun!
XXOO Loriann

Trevor Lingard said...

Hi Loraine
This is a lovely painting. You have captured the mood perfectly it seems. A clever composition with the water taking dominance and making the water mysterious and powerful. I love the square format too.
Regards

loriann signori said...

Hi Trevor,
Thanks for dropping by again and for you glowing words.
Oh, how do I love the square?... let me count the ways! This time I wanted to handle it the hard way which is to have the water dominate. There lies a balance.. how much activity can you place in there and how can you make it calm???? Oh, don't you love a good challenge!
Have a great weekend over there in the UK.
Loriann

Diane Hoeptner said...

Beautiful!

loriann signori said...

Thanks Diane!