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.

value and cooking

 5 x15 (i think) pastel and watercolor on Uart

Value..ah the value of value. When you are aware of value relationships the whole world of color is at your beckon call. If you are true to the value relationships you can choose the color you want for harmony and feeling. How does one make a hot, steamy morning? Color choice.
It's funny, yesterday I cleaned out a studio I had been renting. I had been there for years. Old paintings from 25 years ago were still stored there. Looking back I noticed some successes (rare) and many "dogs." You probably wonder what do these "dogs" have in common????? Easy. I did not realize the power I had as an artist. The values were correct but the color wasn't chosen. I struggled with  just seeing. Now I realize it it's like cooking:
2 cups seeing
stir in 1 1/2 cups feeling
when the bubbles rise, sprinkle liberally with harmony
Taste
And then drizzle with insight.
Some dishes work better than others. Some funky inspirations (like that wild pizza I made last night) can surprise you. Relish it all. Cooking and painting are inspiration.

Check out my big sale when you get a chance.

whispered moment

8x8 pastel on watercolor underpainting, thickened by fog

Just knowing there would be a thick fog in the morning made it difficult to sleep.  (I love fog.)
Painting fog is all about value relationships. Like bookends, choose your darkest dark and lightest light before doing anything else. The watercolor was easy, it flowed on the paper. But the added moisture in the air made the pastel chunky. I had to go to the car several times to dry the surface. The fog continued to be thick so time was not an issue.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone..now I will go bake a pie.