Every painting must first start with a notan. It determines the design of the painting. To make this one work I had to make many adjustments to what I saw. I did that in the black and white notan first.
The horizontal nature of all the lines (I saw) would not be pleasing. So many areas needed changes and the vision lines moved. Movement through the picture plane is important. I made one part of the violet tree line high, one part low. (It was a straight line) The edge where the trees meet the grass has differences- the left side has strokes and right side doesn't. The foreground movement has similar adjustments of high and low, dark and light.
The next thing the notan decided was how the eye would travel: focal point- the exciting place where the tree and violet tree line meet moves to the bottom flowers to grass in right upper corner. An unequal triangle. Three points make good travel.
Notans are so important- they make your plan work. Accidents and spontaneity are wonderful, but they need to be in a working plan.
On a sad note- I return to my home tomorrow. I will miss Washington State and all its glory. I will return next year.
11 comments:
This was a fun vacation to watch. And great fun to meet you!
Have a safe trip back to MD and I am sure you have much visual stuff to process through.
Don't be too sad, Loriann, there is a very good crop of Queen Anne's Lace here in MD this year. What a productive trip you have had!
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to WA, Loriann, and clearly got a lot out of it, both painting and instruction-wise.
It's been fun watching the work you've posted here, along with your enthusiastic and informative thoughts about the process.
I hope the weather is more agreeable in MA than it was probably when you left! Have a safe trip back home :).
like this painting :-)
the grasses are singing
always difficult to leave copying behind & step into picture making. yes i think like you as well, it depends on a a pre-meditated decision made at the beginning as much as the end of a painting, where you pull it all together.
Leaving summer camp was always so melancholy. But before you know it, fall will be here. Ironically, it always felt like a fresh start to me.
Are you returning to paint once again the lovely potomac river and canal close to your home. It will like being with your old friends again. You have had some incredible adventures from Wolf Khan through to Orcas Island. Thanks for sharing.
Great reading about your time in the Northwest. Maybe next year I will join up with you for a RM workshop!
Until then, I'll be following right along you online! :)
Hi, I just recently found your blog and enjoy your work very much. Is there any special book you recommend on the subject of how to make and use notans? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Thank for sharing your beautiful works. Ambal
Hi Casey, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed participating in my trip to Washington.I sure do have a lot to process.
Hi Donna! So where are those fields of queen annes lace? Would you share a location? We could meet there and paint!
Hi Sonya, The trip was fantastic..it was quite an adjustment to even think about coming back home. Good thing it was raining when i left. The weather in maryland is nice...80s evening, 90s day. I do love warmth!
Hi Adam!
Thank you about my field painting. It seems like we are kindred spirits.
Hi Sam,
I never attended summer camp, but if it feels like this I understand. Fall does have its own beauty. So bring it all on...in time.
Hi Caroline!
Yes, yes, I have returned to the land of humidity and color on the potomac river. You have an excellent memory! Thanks for coming with me on the trip!
Hi Brenda!
Hope to see you next year in the great northwest!
I will be by to check and see what you have been up to soon.
Hi Ambal!I am so glad that you found my blog and have been enjoying your visits. As for books about notans, Richard have recommended one called, "Notan." They sell it at Dakota Pastels. If he recommends it, it must be good. I am embarrassed to say I have not checked it out yet. Notans are basically a plan/design using only about 3or 4 values (some only use 2). The purpose is to break the landscape/still life, portrait into a design of only big shapes of value. NO details. When you do this it makes it easy to see and plan. Plus you can see what you need to change to make a more dynamic design/movement.
I hope that helps!
Comment anytime! Loriann
Thank you, Loriann, for your response. Yes, it helps and I will look for Richard's suggested book too. Anyway welcome home. And please keep posting your great work. Thank you, Ambal.
Hi Ambal, It's good to be home. Please let me know how you like the book. Ok?
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