Wednesday, February 8, 2012

before snow glow and upcoming pastel workshop

pastel and watercolor on Uart 8x10
The challenge today was to make the glow on the water. There was very overcast sky since there is snow on the way. (sidebar- we have had spring up to now-cherry blossoms in bloom, every the creeping flocks and quince have flowers!) Snow sounds exciting to see again.

I have been asked many times to talk about the process of my  paintings. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but still I will provide a written account. 
Since all landscapes have a warm undertone I used quid burnt sienna and quid burnt gold watercolor paint to paint the value in the large masses.  Very simplified.
 Observing and not painting I watch. Finally, I take off the gloves and settle down with my precious pastels.
My thinking :When you look at water it has a color of its own that is more prominent in the foreground and reflections. This water had a greenish tone. The sky color effects the whole tenor of everything and that was a pink gray violet.  That determined, almost all my selected pastels came from the gray section of the palette. The purer tones were added at the very end. The pastel is thicker in the sky thus more matte. The water has thin rubbed applications.
The main dance (the diva) has more marks and more contrast in  color. I hold back mark making in other areas.
It is an intuitive thing that is good to sometimes put in words.

I will be teaching a workshop this summer. Email me to let me know if you are interested. I like to teach small groups so the class size is limited to 5. Toodles for now......

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great explanation....wish I were closer to attend your WS......

loriann signori said...

Thanks Maggie.
Yes the UK is a little far away. Wish you could be here too.

Vanessa said...

Lovely painting! You really get a sense of the crisp morning air!

Cmichaudart said...

such a gentle, caressing touch....

Donna T said...

Those quiet colors are so beautiful together! Thanks for explaining your thoughts; it's very helpful. A workshop - how exciting!

Celeste Bergin said...

gorgeous painting ...so dreamy

loriann signori said...

Hi Vanessa! Yes and crisp it was. Thank you for your comment.

Hi Cindy and thank you!

Hi Donna! You are most welcome. Thanks for sharing your paintings!

Hi Celeste and THANK you!

Double "D" said...

Hey there B,

Beautiful, quiet and subtle. I don't know how you have time to paint and write ... Oh that's right ... it's the hamster in you ... just spinning away.

loriann signori said...

Hey I missed you PB!!!!! WHERE have you been?
You guessed it the hamster is in the wheel.

Astrid Volquardsen said...

Hi Loriann,
I haven't been on your blog for a while and I instantly recognized a new quality in your pastels. Beautiful! I remember how you struggled in summer, but it seems to have paid off.

loriann signori said...

Hi Astrid, Yes this summer is behind me...no regrets! Thanks for your kind words!

Jala Pfaff said...

What a beautiful painting!!
Wish I could come do your workshop.

loriann signori said...

I wish you and all the dogs and cats could come for the workshop. Hope you are well. Thanks about the painting