Friday, February 19, 2016
Closing down...
Well this painting has exhausted me and I just need to stop. It will be put on the shelf for a bit and maybe I will look at it in a few days to see if there is anything more I can do. It started with promise as you might have noticed in a previous post but in the end I 'worked' / 'worried' it too much. Frustrating! I really do have a lot to learn about how water and paint work together!
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Show and Sale
I have been busy adjusting some larger acrylic paintings and working steadily on several watercolours. Yes, I'm still working on the roses although I took time out to do a peony which I am hoping will be framed in time for the show. It was a bit frustrating as I was using a smooth watercolour paper which also seemed 'soft' and a different brand of paints - Daniel Smith watercolours. But the challenge is done and I will get back to the roses now.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Threshold
Seems I am at another "Threshold" with this painting! what decisions do I need to make to take the next step.
There are times when I need to set a painting aside, take a photo, and look at it from a distance. And of course the pondering sets in and I realize I need to think more carefully about the next move. As you will see I have been working on this - although I did take some time off to work on an acrylic painting with some huge clouds in it!
But this will call be back until I finish or until I give up!
When I set it aside after several hours of work this morning, the word which came to mind was "threshold" so I looked it up and realized, yes, it did fit. I am at a point of entering the second final stage - that of the final painting before the finishing touches are done - and this point has the possibility of producing an image that is a little less than enough so that the the finishing touches complete it OR producing an image that is overworked and more than enough.... It is a cold hearted analysis of the painting, an emotional optimism versus discouragement, and finally a mental willingness and determination to go on - all of these factor in to what is decided on this threshold.
Here are three more photos - hopefully the final one will soon be available!
- Threshold:1: the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door : sill2a : gate, door b (1) : end, boundary; specifically : the end of a runway (2) : the place or point of entering or beginning : outset <on the threshold of a new age>3a : the point at which a physiological or psychological effect begins to be produced <has a high threshold for pain> b : a level, point, or value above which something is true or will take place and below which it is not or will not
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Yes, I want to paint....but...
Yes, watercolour is difficult... but so are other mediums. Sorry, but I feel it just takes time to settle into using the different mediums. If I only used one medium, perhaps I wouldn't think that way....but, there is that funny little word again!!... I have this innate compulsion to not do the same thing over and over and that means I haven't really "settled" into a specific method, subject matter, or medium when it comes to art.
Is that much different than writing? Some people prefer to write poems, articles and books... Others stick to one. I have only every done one of each!
Perhaps it is a seasonal thing as well. I love the changing seasons and I guess I love change. Even though I do wish for regular schedule I know that I also welcome changes to it. Being a bit of a strategist I am always thinking of ways to doing things quicker, easier and differently! But - like the winter season, every so often I simply want to settle into the quiet and do a meditative painting like the roses.
Michelle, you asked about acrylic. Remember, I am a beginner in all of the mediums I use in art so what I say is simply what I am learning. I started watercolours in 2005, began using acrylics in 2009, and oils in October 2015. I tend to 'fight' with acrylics. First off, it is for me, more "free hand" and not being great at drawing that sometimes creates problems. However, it has proven to be a better medium for me when it comes to landscapes. With acrylics you can adjust and change things. To be economical in time and paints however, you might prefer to have a set plan. The first class I took in acrylics, which was an afternoon class, was very 'step by step' and for someone who can stick to the steps that is great. Occasionally I think things through but mostly I just get started. Not the best way but I am working on being more thoughtful and systematic.
The biggest draw back I have for acrylics Michelle is that they are 'messy' and they dry too quickly.
If you want to dabble and 'have fun' doing it you might like to try liquid acrylics using a pouring medium. These are great for more abstract work and I have included one here. You see that it is very different from the watercolour rose I am working on which was shown in the last post. It has taken time - I've worked on it 5 or 6 different times and have one more adjustment to make. It created a huge mess in my studio, then I moved it outside and tackled it during the summer, let it sit through the fall and will have it finished for the upcoming show in March.
Is that much different than writing? Some people prefer to write poems, articles and books... Others stick to one. I have only every done one of each!
Perhaps it is a seasonal thing as well. I love the changing seasons and I guess I love change. Even though I do wish for regular schedule I know that I also welcome changes to it. Being a bit of a strategist I am always thinking of ways to doing things quicker, easier and differently! But - like the winter season, every so often I simply want to settle into the quiet and do a meditative painting like the roses.
Michelle, you asked about acrylic. Remember, I am a beginner in all of the mediums I use in art so what I say is simply what I am learning. I started watercolours in 2005, began using acrylics in 2009, and oils in October 2015. I tend to 'fight' with acrylics. First off, it is for me, more "free hand" and not being great at drawing that sometimes creates problems. However, it has proven to be a better medium for me when it comes to landscapes. With acrylics you can adjust and change things. To be economical in time and paints however, you might prefer to have a set plan. The first class I took in acrylics, which was an afternoon class, was very 'step by step' and for someone who can stick to the steps that is great. Occasionally I think things through but mostly I just get started. Not the best way but I am working on being more thoughtful and systematic.
The biggest draw back I have for acrylics Michelle is that they are 'messy' and they dry too quickly.
If you want to dabble and 'have fun' doing it you might like to try liquid acrylics using a pouring medium. These are great for more abstract work and I have included one here. You see that it is very different from the watercolour rose I am working on which was shown in the last post. It has taken time - I've worked on it 5 or 6 different times and have one more adjustment to make. It created a huge mess in my studio, then I moved it outside and tackled it during the summer, let it sit through the fall and will have it finished for the upcoming show in March.
Friday, February 5, 2016
So you think you want to paint....
I have a number of friends who have said they have tried watercolour and would like to do more.... but.... and there it ends. People are just too busy and let's face it, painting takes time! Lots of time.
And patience, and endurance, and preparation, and well, it is quite simply more difficult than one might think.
While watercolour can be rewarding it also requires a lot of dedicated plodding. At least for me it does.
These past few weeks have been filled with two paintings. The lilies, I think I have finished, but I'm very disappointed with it- and will consign it to my learning pile. As I worked on it I learned a few lessons. One being that where light falls on a flower in your photo is important but is not always conducive to making a good painting. Two, trying to improvise after the fact is difficult. Three, when painting a flower in a more or less realistic rendering I need to draw it out carefully. And four, hot pressed smooth paper, even though a heavy weight, seems to 'pil' with the slightest amount of water. I have more of this paper but I will need to try a different method on it because I found using this paper for this painting to be very frustrating.
There are other things about watercolour which one must keep in mind. One - it is very difficult to get the colours you want without a number of washes. So, one goes over and over a petal a number of times before it is actually done! But, you need to know when to add colour if the paper is still damp or you need to add colour when the paper is dry, in which case, you need to know how to draw out the colour or add a wash without lifting the paint which is already there.
Also, it takes hours and hours to do a painting like the "Roses" painting shown here. I can work about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs and then I need a break... sometimes it is discouraging because I've only worked on 2 - 4 petals and I know that when they are dry I will need to come back in with another wash.
Photos of your work in progress are invaluable. They will help you see things you miss close up or even simply looking at your work.
For you my friends who wish to pursue watercolour, I would like to encourage you but also caution you because it takes time!! If you want a quick finish this may not be for you. I have had many frustrating moments and if I didn't feel some calling to do it, somehow drawn to create this way, I would have given up long ago. Every so often a painting develops which makes all the hard work worthwhile.
I am hoping the rose painting will be one of these!
The Lilies: a few progression photos - you will see that the light caught the centre petal but did not look right as it was so large a white space, so I have filled it in with some colour. But, at this point I am still not happy with it.
The Roses: Besides photographing the roses, choosing a view I was happy with by cropping and adjusting, hours of drawing it out using a grid, I have spent about 6 sittings with it. Add that up and you get about 18 hours so far. I'd say there is likely another 20 or more hours to go. Guess the next few weeks will be dedicated to these roses!
And patience, and endurance, and preparation, and well, it is quite simply more difficult than one might think.
While watercolour can be rewarding it also requires a lot of dedicated plodding. At least for me it does.
These past few weeks have been filled with two paintings. The lilies, I think I have finished, but I'm very disappointed with it- and will consign it to my learning pile. As I worked on it I learned a few lessons. One being that where light falls on a flower in your photo is important but is not always conducive to making a good painting. Two, trying to improvise after the fact is difficult. Three, when painting a flower in a more or less realistic rendering I need to draw it out carefully. And four, hot pressed smooth paper, even though a heavy weight, seems to 'pil' with the slightest amount of water. I have more of this paper but I will need to try a different method on it because I found using this paper for this painting to be very frustrating.
There are other things about watercolour which one must keep in mind. One - it is very difficult to get the colours you want without a number of washes. So, one goes over and over a petal a number of times before it is actually done! But, you need to know when to add colour if the paper is still damp or you need to add colour when the paper is dry, in which case, you need to know how to draw out the colour or add a wash without lifting the paint which is already there.
Also, it takes hours and hours to do a painting like the "Roses" painting shown here. I can work about 1 1/2 - 2 hrs and then I need a break... sometimes it is discouraging because I've only worked on 2 - 4 petals and I know that when they are dry I will need to come back in with another wash.
Photos of your work in progress are invaluable. They will help you see things you miss close up or even simply looking at your work.
For you my friends who wish to pursue watercolour, I would like to encourage you but also caution you because it takes time!! If you want a quick finish this may not be for you. I have had many frustrating moments and if I didn't feel some calling to do it, somehow drawn to create this way, I would have given up long ago. Every so often a painting develops which makes all the hard work worthwhile.
I am hoping the rose painting will be one of these!
The Lilies: a few progression photos - you will see that the light caught the centre petal but did not look right as it was so large a white space, so I have filled it in with some colour. But, at this point I am still not happy with it.
The Roses: Besides photographing the roses, choosing a view I was happy with by cropping and adjusting, hours of drawing it out using a grid, I have spent about 6 sittings with it. Add that up and you get about 18 hours so far. I'd say there is likely another 20 or more hours to go. Guess the next few weeks will be dedicated to these roses!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Sunset 360º
Sunsets have become a greater interest for me since leaving the acreage of our friends one winter evening. As we left the yard turning towards the east the entire sky was pink! It seemed like the sun was setting in the east! I quickly looked towards the west to check out the sky there and it was pink as well and indeed the sun was setting there. Amazing and beautiful.
Sunsets and sunrises have been remarkably 'pink' recently and the reflections from both seem to fill, to varying degrees, the entire sky. I have mulled over trying to paint a few sunsets for some time and since recently beginning to use oils I decided it was time to give them a go - so here are a few.
The first two paintings are of the sunset as we left our friends driveway.
Sunsets and sunrises have been remarkably 'pink' recently and the reflections from both seem to fill, to varying degrees, the entire sky. I have mulled over trying to paint a few sunsets for some time and since recently beginning to use oils I decided it was time to give them a go - so here are a few.
The first two paintings are of the sunset as we left our friends driveway.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Quiet
Quiet
[Frederick Buechner, from
Whistling in the Dark: A Doubter’s Dictionary]
An empty room is silent. A room where people are not speaking or
moving is quiet. Silence is a given,
quiet a gift. Silence is the absence of
sound and quiet the stilling of sound.
Silence can’t be anything but silent.
Quiet chooses to be silent. It
holds its breath to listen. It waits and
is still.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved,”
says God through the prophet Isaiah, “in quietness and confidence shall be your
strength” [Isaiah 30:15]. They are all
parts of each other. We return to our
deep strength and to the confidence that lies beneath all our misgiving. The quiet there, the rest, is beyond the
reach of the world to disturb. It is how
being saved sounds.
A few recent oil paintings from my remarkably "quiet" studio.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)