pastel and watercolor on marble dust board and pencil sketchWhen out in the field, whether plein air painting or walking with a camera, the main goal is to get ideas and experience. Later when removed from the source, one takes time to dwell upon the experience. Neither the painting nor photo is the key, the experience is.
When back in the studio, think...how can I create a bold design that stands out at a distance? What is my concept? With this in your mind proceed to your sketches and block out the masses. Remember the sky sets the tone and you need an anchor in the foreground.
This is my plein air painting. I have decided to work in a slightly different direction using analogous colors. Blue green, blue and blue purple will be complemented by the orange sky. The dominant hue will be the blue haze. The sketch has two shapes, unequal in proportion. Studio paintings involve more planning and choices.
We as artists are the creator of mystery...use your power.
8 comments:
The way you describe your process feels like a studio painting...more slow, deliberate. It's a great balance to the outdoor work. I always like slowing down a bit.
You're so right that we need to remember to USE our tools, and not just be reactive in our work. Amen.
Everything you do has the spirit and power of art in it!
Jaw-dropping beauty here and, as one of my professors loved to say about exquisite black and white studies such as yours, "This is full of color."
Amen. Right there with you.
Hi Loriann, I think it's so interesting they way you explained your color choices here, such as, the sky sets the tone. Also, interesting is the way you use analogous colors, in reverse in this case. Thanks for sharing your thought process on color.
Hi and thank you ladies. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in. I think it is always good for us to consciously think about our process rather than just go on automatic (which I often do).
And yes Karen, plein air is different because it's more about responding... although the more the process is internalized the better. Slow down is something I really need to do. Sometimes I am the hamster in the wheel.Yipes!
Thank you Melinda about the black and white.I can't wait to get to the color study tonight. More later.
Janelle, You are welcome about sharing the process. Tomorrow's post will show where I took it.
Let the power of art and mystery be with all of you. It is inside of you. Amen. (do I sound like a preacher??? Yipes again!)
I love the value sketch here, Loriann - the color study is beautiful, too. I enjoyed your notes on process as well. I keep asking myself these questions about my own work (what's my subject? what feeling am I striving to express?) and I'm sure the answers will start flowing in time and with lots more practice. Reading your thoughts provides inspiration and ideas and I'm grateful to you for that!
Thanks Brian,
I get inspiration seeing your posts reading your the accompanying thoughts. We artists just LOVE talking about this stuff! I think that as long as we are producing the work, our talk can only help the reflection process. Till next time....
The little bits of light reflections on the water are elegant.
Thanks Kathleen!
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