Friday, January 7, 2011

maxfield parrish twilight

9x6 pastel and watercolor on Uart
I have always admired Maxwell Parrish's luscious green blue twilights. I read that one of the ways he made his colors so beautiful was by varnishing between each layer. Interesting idea that must make it very hard on the conservators working on the paintings now. 
So I have once again been flexing the memory muscles.  The only thing I know for sure is, the more you do it the easier it gets. I have begun playing a new game. When I am still and far removed from the stimuli, I close my eyes and try to recreate the previous night's sunset or twilight. That means while the sunset or twilight was actually happening I am verbalizing and visualizing every part of it. The painting above is an attempt to remember last night's twilight. I can't seem to get this blue green twilight. It only lasts for moment. I think you will see me trying this often.

The painting below is a memory studio piece (commissioned) I completed a couple of  years ago. I look at it now and think..ummmph.
18x24 oil and pastel on marble dust board

By the way Nika, the winner of "the big chew" painting give a way has made her selection. She will receive "the blinding light, torrey pines sunrise, Dec 24 post"  I will put it in the mail this weekend. In the meantime be sure to check out her blogs: Figuratively Speaking For Two and Nika Zakharov Drawing DailyYou are in for a treat.

7 comments:

Nika said...

I like this one a lot! Let me explain why. I'm always amazed looking at sunset or sunrise how rich it looks in terms of interplay of cool and warm. In other words, the light consists of "pixels" of cool blue and warmer orange and green, mingling with each other but at the same time retaining their temperature differences. The effect you've created here is similar to that, it's rich and interesting to look at.
Thanks so much for your generous mention of my blogs, you're such a gracious blog buddy!

Celeste Bergin said...

now, is ummmph a derogatory term? I like both paintings...they are dream-like. I love the idea of painting from memory..seems very brave to me. Thanks for the link too.

loriann signori said...

Hi Nika, You are so right about the rich interplay of warm and cool at sunset, sunrise and those twilight moments. I struggle to achieve the right effect.It needs to be more calming. Congrats again on your win. And it's my pleasure to mention your work!

Hi Celeste...ummmph is a derogatory term. a little frustration mixed into that dissatisfaction. Painting from memory is hard at first but I KNOW you can do it. Love your new stuff!

Marilyn R Miller said...

...I thought I was the only one who loves Mavfield Parrish Blue skies.....

loriann signori said...

Hi Marilyn, Nope you have company. I like The Maxfield Parrish twilight skies ALMOST as much as Whistler's twilight skies. Whistler will ALWAYS be number one to me.

Jala Pfaff said...

What does "ummmph" mean? I love that piece!!

It's kind of funny how many of the famous artists' works must be a nightmare for conservators. Rothko didn't use enough binder, Pollock used plain house paint, Lautrec put oil right on cardboards ...

loriann signori said...

Ummmmph means I liked it once... but now I know I would do it differently so I wish I could. The hardest thing about selling work..... I am sure YOU know what I mean.
As for method and materials-I guess we all do whatever it takes to make out vision.