Monday, July 12, 2010

simultaneous contrast

So, now I begin to blog about the workshop.
Richard says, "If you merely copy what's in front of you, you are rendering reality. An artist needs to make choices, to take responsibility for what he/she wants the viewer to see, do and feel through the painting. You, the artist, are the magician. A painting is a compromise of reality."
That statement was fully in my mind when creating this painting. I chose the vertical (format with a push, dynamic...not my usual.) While painting I constantly  thought about simultaneous contrast. Anyone who has been fortunate to take a workshop with Richard knows that if there is one thing he preaches it's simultaneous contrast. Defined simply: nothing is what it is till it has a relationship. It's like reading...the words on the page in isolation mean nothing till  that word works with the other words and makes beautiful prose or poetry. One word, or one letter is nothing until it works in concert with others.
So always ask yourself...what color do I want next to that, instead of what color is it.
Here is Richard talking about simultaneous contrast. The two gray squares are the same color, yet they appear different on red vs. blue. The other picture is Richard holding the demo painting he did in the field.

A big apology to all my blogger friends. I am missing seeing your blogs and adding comments. I will return...right now I am just keeping my head above water to do this. :-D

9 comments:

Casey Klahn said...

I am amazed at how well you are adopting the Skagit landscape. Especially the way you have remembered the uplift (Cascade foothills) and the foliage looks local. This works for me so well, and I also appreciate the bold step out in both format and color.

RM looks relaxed. Happy it's going well - stay well.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Thanks for taking us along on your workshop, Loriann! Interesting stuff, especially the quote on painting being a compromise of reality. Beautiful, inspired work you're producing!

Sally Veach said...

Thanks Loriann. Everything you say is so true--you HAVE to treat a landscape painting as your own creation, not just copying, even in realism work. It just won't work any other way! I am still working on this to make my plein airs more successful. And everything is related to each other. The good news is, it doesn't matter what colors you choose, as long as they all relate to each other! How true is this in life itself--everything is relative!

Donna T said...

Gorgeous work! I'm writing that quote down. It is exactly what I needed to hear - thank you!

Caroline Simmill said...

Thank you for sharing your painting day with us Loriann. Very wise words indeed. I like the portrait view of your landscape it must have been interesting to work in this format.

Johanna Spinks said...

I found your work and thoughts an absolute delight. Thanks for the treat.

loriann signori said...

Hi Casey!
I feel that the landscape here is my second home...or maybe that is I wish it was. Rm is amazing as always!

Hi Janelle and thank you. Glad that you like Richard's quote. More to come!

Hi Sally, Each day you go out to work on location, keep just one thought in your head...or else it will swirl and spin off;-D Process slowly. It's all good, like food, one bite at a time. And be kind to yourself, it will all come together. I will work on getting it till i die.

Hi Donna! Thank you for the message from John! Thank you!

Hi Caroline!
You are welcome I am delighted to hear you are enjoying them. I am really enjoying the vertical!

Hi Johanna! Thanks for visiting my blog. When time allows I will visit yours as well. I am delighted to hear that you are enjoying my blog. Thanks!

Celeste Bergin said...

"So always ask yourself...what color do I want next to that, instead of what color is it."......excellent! All artists should have a tattoo of this! Thanks for taking us along. Love your results here.

Jill Iversen said...

I like your blog and I love simultaneous contrast!