Ah.... memories. I am back in the studio equipped with a plan. While my New Mexico visions are sharp I will work up a studio piece from the Rio Grande. So here is a picture of me, bundled up in layers and fingerless gloves painting the canyon.My main question: when composing this "grand space" scene, how do I deepen the space? Many painters have placed land, trees, people, etc. in the very foreground or in the case of Thomas Moran or Albert Bierstadt creating (with color) distinct levels of space and atmosphere. Not only will my choice effect the creation of space but also the place where a viewer is involved.
Hmmmmmmmm.
4 comments:
You ask good questions. I can't wait to see how you answer them.
Thanks Dori. I will try. The questions are always there...it's the answers that elude me.
Hi Loriann!
A few weeks ago I came across your art and was immediately taken . I enjoy receiving your painting(s) each day. I admire your determination to paint! I paint landscapes & abstracts but somehow the landscape keeps pulling me in. When I go out into the field I usually take some Derwent sketching pencils and/or colored pencils along with a 9 x12 Strathmore 300 charcoal pad. I then work my paintings from memory and my sketches.I am finding that my photographs are gathering dust. A few weeks ago I found in the dumpster a full French easel that was clean and needed some minor repairs. I do have a 1/2 box French easel purchased over 20 years ago but I rarely used it in the field. So now after taking acrylic paint into the field so long ago I am going to put down the pencils and go for it. The approach that I have been using has been very productive & rewarding. Yet after watching Henier Hertling on Create TV, looking at your work plus several other landscape painters including Deborah Paris, Tracy Helgeson and Jan Blencowe I have been inspired to paint outdoors . I will still paint landscapes in the studio and eventually I will get back to my abstracts but I am excited about painting en plein air. I am going to be working with acrylics and using that French easel that the Muses left for me to find.
If you want to create a sense of space in your work consider using atmospheric perspective. As objects recede they reduce in size and detail disappears. Also the value contrast between the object and its background dimishes. As an object recedes values begin to get lighter. Lights & darks also begin to merge. Also all colors become cooler as they recede from the eye except white. Color that recedes into the distance has some blue added to it. Additionally objects in the foreground are warmer. I hope that this will be of help. BTW if you are going to continue with oils in addition to your pastels I suggest that you check out M Katherine Hurley. She has web classes on Artists Network TV. You can purchase DVDS from the North Light Book Shop. I think that you will enjoy her work. Although I work with acrylics I learn from oil painters. This is why I also subscribe to the Pastel Journal
I was in New Mexico once a long time ago back in 1971. I have been told that you can see a thunderstorm 100 miles away from you are standing. The memory that I have from that trip was of grey overcast skies . I was on what was called a teen tour. We landed in Denver and went on bus throughout the West. I also remember while in New Mexico the green bugs on the wallpaper in the motel rooms. Funny what memories we have isn't it? I used to go to Vermont during the fall to see the foilage & be inspired. I have not been back there for many years but echos of those trips still linger somewhere in my work. I think that you will find that New Mexico will have the same effect on your painting over the years.
Hi NJ Art!
Thanks for reading my blog. Enjoy you plein air experiences...once you go you'll never come back!!!!
You name some incredible artists and there are always more. We as artists will always learn from each other. That's a good thing.
In my next post I will be talking about the many tricks an artist has up her sleeve for creating distance.....color, temperature, value, atmospheric perspective,and mass size. Keep reading.
Till then, happy painting,
Loriann
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