triptych

Here is my value set-up for my next triptych. The plein air work (small, above) was  which was completed last summer when I was in the San Juan islands. It was those glorious moments after sunset. That is the time when the land masses have close values (and low value) and the light in the sky is still tremendous (high value). The color is saturated. It is imperative to squint when painting outside as it eliminates all those insignificant value shifts.When creating the value study I just look at the strong value shapes and mass them together.
Now, a triptych is a whole different challenge. Here the whole painting, all three pieces must hang together as one piece. In addition each smaller square must be viewed as a separate unit and be able to stand alone. The squares are 24x24 making a total of
24x 72.

Magic Hour at the Field

pastel 8x15watercolor underpainting

Dominant hue. Yes, I am harping on it again... not for your sake (no offense), more as a reminder for me. Let me explain why. The dominant hue  tells you which colors to use, and what chroma and value they should be. For this one I did a full color underpainting at home. Before leaving for the field I washed the whole thing with  my new favorite watercolor, Daniel Smith's Quinacridone Burnt Scarlet (mixed with Quidacridone Magenta.)   I love this color! Out at the field I concentrated on my dominant hue and chroma and keeping my painting warm.  But as I am sure you are aware, if I just painted warm without any counter balance it would be boring.  I also decided to stretch to lower foreground shape to make the dominant value be the shadow-about a 5/6 on the value scale.  It also made a path back to the glowing horizon.
I am really starting to enjoy doing the underpainting at home. I found it frees me up on site.

memory extended

8x8 pastel on watercolor
The field now lives in my head, just like the reservoir once did (and will again.) So this morning after working en plein air, I decide to try to loosen up more with color and just play. Let's call this one memory extended. I think I will do more of these and see where it will take me:-)