You can use a lot of color, but it needs to stay in the mass. To do that use the same value. This is another one from my Cumberland trip. The square format is always favorite of mine. It's funny, after completing it, framing it and walking way I knew what I needed to change today...3 days later. (even though it is no longer in my possession.)
I think about what I learned from the pleir air event:
1. Planning is very important- you need to know where you are going and why.
2.You need to plan your composition and values to be free with your color. That way thinking is over and responding is king/queen.
3.You need to be flexible and not let your plan be the ruin of you.
4. Exhaling is good too.
Yes I knew these things before...but it's seeing them in a new light ;-)
9 comments:
Thanks Loriann. I am finding plein air to be incredibly difficult. Find a good location at the right time, have enough time to finish the composition, don't forget any supplies, don't get rained on, have an umbrella for light (which is ordered!). THEN...simplify the scene in front of you so you don't get overwhelmed by the complexity. Choose your color theme. It's all too overwhelming at times!
I'm big on #3. As Wolf Kahn says, "Rules are made to be broken."
Somewhere, my algebra teacher is weeping.
I like the bullet points. I find plein air hard simply because it takes me so long - days - to really distill an image in my head to rearrange it and make it interesting. Sort of like walking away from a conversation and realizing later - doh! - that you have the perfect response.
Plus, I've turned this year to indirect painting with no desire to go back.
That said, I'm taking a plein air workshop this summer! We'll see how that goes....:)
When I exhale, it is to say, "ahhh...here is an amazing painting by Loriann!"
I am interested in your planning stage. Maybe that's a post?
Hi Sally,
You are so right, plein air is incredibly difficult! You have brought up some good points for me to talk about next time. Best advice- don't worry about the stuff or the right time or place, just do it. I began plein air painting when I was in high school....that's a heck of a lot of years and i am still learning every single day. Just accept the learning curve and jump on. Yi hah! It's a great ride!
Hey Sam!!! I KNEW #3 would be your favorite. Let him weep.
Hi Lisa! Plein air workshop eh? Where and with whom? I feel indirect painting and plein air complement each other. It is only through plein air that I have the information stored in my head to paint indirectly without worrying...now how does that work? what color/temperature might that be? what temperature is daybreak?
I don't know it because I read it or someone told me i know because I experience it all the time. That's why I do my vitamins. I know George Innness didn't really need to do plein air, but Sanford Gifford did. And I love plein air painting ;-)
The studio becomes a different kind of magic because of plein air.
What do you think?
Hi Casey!
You are tooo much!
Interested in the planning stage..hmmm. I will put it on the line up.
Great painting B.
I like step 4! Hey, when you tried to kick my long distant butt into the studio, you missed. I landed in the window box outside the studio ... now I have dirt in my teeth and smell like geraniums. Well, it's a start I guess.
Thanks for reminding all of us of these basics. Seems so simple!
Take care,
PB
And it's good to read them and be reminded of them! Thanks for putting them out there.
Hey PB!!!!
What do you mean I missed? And you smell like geraniums..haha
I will be coming up to Lansing soon if you don't watch it.
The basics are simple so if your shoulder is a little better (I know it must hurt still) go out for just a short outdoor painting session in your back yard. No matter what you do it will be gorgeous... jump that wall!
hugs and a kick, b
Hi Karen, I know that you know them.... why just look at your paintings!
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