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5x10 pastel on watercolor on Uart |
After completing my re-creation of the Needwood Pond image from memory (yesterday's post), I knew that I had to go to the site and paint plein air. Painting outdoors is a whole different can of worms compared to studio painting. Outdoors it is so easy to get wrapped up in what is there, instead of what is the essence of what you are painting. You can easily become distracted by details. (I suppose that is why memory painting is so essential.) I can not stress enough that outdoor painting is very important. It helps build an understanding of landscape and light that you will NEVER get from a photograph. So here are some tips.
When working outdoors remember:
1. Study the landscape you have chosen to paint. Do not even pick up a pencil. Study.
2. Talk to yourself. Articulate why you are painting this particular landscape. Concept is key.
3. Next think if you were just going to memorize what would you need to know? Know deep inside what it is
4. Identify the color of the light. Notice how it changes the color of everything. This light was very yellow...a bright yellow, veering towards white. Did I want white? No? So I leaned more yellow.
5. After you have studied and made sketches or 3 value notans, only then begin. Stick to your value map.
6. Look more at the painting than the scene. Trust that you know the scene. Look to confirm.
7. Always remember it is about the concept/feeling and good planning pays off in the end.
Thank you friends for all the studio building information I have received- keep it coming!
We are looking at the financial aspects. The main two choices are:
Do we combine both north facing- master bedroom (my present studio is the old master bedroom) and guest bedroom to make a larger studio...which I will outgrow in about 5 years? Yes, don't worry, we do have a bedroom on the south side of the house. (cheaper)
Or do we build a studio (hamster house) in the back? More expensive.
If you have built your own let me know. Thanks Sam for all your in depth info.