X-ray vision is what you need when thinking about an underpainting. The question is..."what lies beneath?" When you see your muse, before you even set up your easel, ask yourself that one question. Think about the concept you want create. The underpainting is your set-up. It is your strength. The delicious pastel goes on top...or in the case of an oil painting the thicker paint is like your pastel. Still you are thinking of bones and skin.
In this hazy, hot morning painting I chose to place hot, potent colors underneath and reserve my luscious neutrals for the pastels. And when they come out to play it's always a surprise to me which game they choose. Sometimes I feel like I am just their playmate. They pastels decide the game, I discover the rules.
This was yesterday's painting. Seems like we are beginning our monsoon season. Rain makes studio work more fun.
On another note, yesterday was my lucky day. I interviewed Marla Baggetta! I have ALWAYS admired her work and wanted so badly to speak with her about it. I was super happy when she graciously took the time from her busy schedule to speak with me. She was just as I imagined. Warm, kind, thoughtful. I can't wait to share her thoughts with you. Hang on...the first post will probably be next week!
12 comments:
Stunning painting, Loriann! I love the design - as if you were floating out on the river when you stopped to paint. The warm green in the distance is like the light at the end of a cool, mysterious tunnel.
Love, love love this one! The colours and tones are beautiful and I particularly like the way my eye is travelling along the path of light to the pop of green.
Hi Donna! A sincere thank you for your kind words!!!!
Hi Lisa,Thank you so much...it's funny I wasn't so sure about this one when I posted it. hmmmmmm so much for judgement, eh?
Hi Loriann, thanks for posting the watercolours. I notice the warm and the cool tones in each one. It really does help to see the under painting. The x ray post really does make me think about how I often build up my oils using glazes, some areas of the canvas are left so that the warm single glaze will shine out. Using a cool colour near by well help the warmth to simply shine out giving luminous effects. It is fascinating to see you working to build up your painting by layers. Do you leave some of your under painting bare to shine through Loriann. It can be hard to see on a screen, it looks as if a great deal of your under painting is covered yet there are parts that seem to be opaque. Could it be you leave the under painting but dust over with a zinc white pastel. Are all pastels opaque, I gather they are.
This is interesting seeing how you work....always an inspiration upon viewing your work too.
Just a note...I have transferred updates to your blog to my own blog so it makes it easier and quicker...plus frees up my incoming email box....so I will be deleting my name from your email updates.
Hi Caroline,
Good questions. Yes, I often leave a good portion of the underpainting showing. i actually try to put as little pastel possible. Pastel is an opaque medium. But you can wipe, dot,and cross hatch to get glaze effects. scumbling is easy. I guess that is why i like the transparent watercolor underneath.
Hi Cynnie,
Thanks for visiting my blog! And thank you for adding me to your blogroll. I will be sure to check out your site. As you can tell i have many painters on my blogroll...it does make for easy checking. We do learn from each other! Thanks again!
Very good work, inspiring!
I love your painting and seeing the way you build it up...
Also especially enjoy reading the words you use to describe the process... that's an art too!
Hi Toemailer and welcome to my blog! Thank you for your kind words!
Hi Marian, I am delighted to hear that you enjoy reading my blog! I really do enjoy writing it. Thank you too about my painting!
Hi B!!!!!!!!!!!
Internet here at the cottage was down today. Internet at a cottage, now there is an oxy moron, ok I can't spell, I know that.
This is really a cool underpainting. Interesting technique you've got going with the brush strokes. Someday, I'm going to be there and watch to see just how you do these underpaintings.
Nice finish too!!!!!!!
pb
Nice work with both surfaces. The washy underpaintings are so wonderfully abstract! They look playful and unrehearsed.
Looking forward to hearing about Marla Baggetta. She's in my neck of the woods!
Hi PB, Internet at a cottage..I like that! I guess we are just a little addicted!
Some day we will paint together! You just never know when!
Hi Katherine! Yah, it was really exciting to be able to speak with her and ask all those questions i had in my head. You are going to love hearing what she has to say! have you ever taken a workshop from her? I would like to..soon!
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