Back to alla prima, light-and-shadow style for this one. Trying to paint loose, hoping that some of Quang Ho's magic has rubbed off on me from watching his DVDs.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Rothko style, Golden kisses, and a small preachy section
Sold.
Boy, whoever photographed all those Rothkos sure had their work cut out for them.
I love Rothko's abstracts and wanted to explore what it's like to try to do something similar. I'll definitely do more of this type. This had two layers of transparent and/or semi-transparent oil paint. The top rectangle is an extremely dark blue-green, almost black, and the lower rectangle is a (slightly less dark) magenta. The painting is very dark and very luminous and there are subtle variations throughout that are wonderfully interesting in person but probably not possible to see on screen.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
More experimenting
I've only just become aware of the concept of "local tone painting" (tone = value). It's such a strange concept for me, because the only way I learned to paint was by modeling forms according to light and shadow--that is, how recording the passage of light over a form makes a realistic 3-D effect.As far as I understand it so far, local tone painting involves remaining consistent as to value within any given shape, regardless of the size of the shape. And having at least three different value areas in a painting. Some very small amount of modeling is "allowed." Cast shadows are mostly ignored. This is all very strange for me.
I tried this one last night as an attempt at a local tone painting (and still with some O'Keeffe ideas on the brain). I think that in theory, local tone paintings can look realistic, but usually don't. That's my take on the concept thus far anyway. So in a way I like it insofar as it possibly functions as a bridge between realism and abstraction. I'm very intrigued and burning up a lot of brain cells learning lately. One of the sources of my learning is an instructional DVD called Nuts and Bolts, by Denver artist Quang Ho. Very, very good DVD. (I haven't yet watched the other two DVDs he is making/has made, but I plan to.)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
O'Keeffe style
I was looking at an O'Keeffe book yesterday and trying to analyze some elements of her style, what makes an O'Keeffe look like one. Then I set out to do something in her style last night. I'm no expert on her, but the things I noticed and tried to follow were: cropping; asymmetry; boldness; curves; negative space; lack of detail on big color areas; and that each shape and even each little part of a shape, including shadow shapes, have an interesting "arabesque" (line that's never boring, repeated, or symmetrical).
One thing I didn't do, of course, that she did, was blow it up to an exaggerated size. Working alla prima, I had to stick to a manageable size.
It was a really interesting experiment--so different than the way I usually paint--and I plan on trying at least one more in this style.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Chondrorhyncha amazonica
I really don't know why this video of Lynx loaded sideways. Oh well.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Wyndham's people
Artist-neighbor-friend Sam sure does have some fun little things to paint over at her house across the street. I don't really even like knicknacks, but when I saw the skateboard dog (a recent post) and these guys, I just had to paint them. I asked for the story on these and she told me these little carved wooden guys (they're about 1.5 inches tall in person) come from her husband's family heritage. Hence, these must be "Wyndham's people."
Sold.
Sold.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Koi
These remind me a lot of the innumerable koi I saw while living in Japan for six months, about two decades ago.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Couch inhabitant
I have been painting--furiously, even (unlike this small furry couch-corner inhabitant). But it's all been "putting on layers" onto abstracts, so nothing to show yet. I also just started (i.e., put my first layer onto) the largest piece I've ever attempted (40" x 60"); the blank canvas stared at me and intimidated me for a month. It's better once you actually get going on it.
I changed my blog subtitle to reflect the fact that I enjoy posting pics of my "animolecules" as much as I enjoy posting my art. Well, animals are art, too.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Heirloom twins
Why can't we all sleep the sleep of the innocent?
My neighbor-artist-friend Sam gave me these heirloom tomatoes to paint. I tried to do them justice. She was also kind enough to let me eat them when I was done.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Giant's Causeway
A long time ago, I saw the famous basalt site on the northeast coast of Ireland called Giant's Causeway. Hence the title of this most recent abstract painting. (The Wikipedia photo doesn't give much idea of the outrageous scale of this natural rock formation, so when you look at the photo, keep in mind that the tallest of the columns is about 36 feet high.)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Colored sphere studies in pastel
I did one of these as a little demo for a student last night, about using color as well as value to create a 3-D form. (She was using watercolor.) It was really fun, so after my student left, I just had to do a few more! Each sheet is 9" x 12", and yes, I know they're not perfectly round. :) Working on these made me want to try some more realism in pastels; I've done very little of that.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sunflowers 2
Cut these from our yard and painted them last night. These are the mini-kind of sunflower, each bloom only perhaps five inches across. Sunflowers are so nice to paint, I'll probably do some more before their season is over.
Sold.
Sold.
That sunlight is a bit bright for naptime... (I love his plump white belly here.)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Forgotten oldie but goodie
Whoops! I'd forgotten about this one! This one was the last one I did in art school. I promise. :)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Miniature jam pot and spoon
Finally had a nice loose painting night yesterday. This is a little jam pot that came with our breakfast on the plane from London, and which I pocketed (how embarrassing) in order to paint sometime...
People, it's very hot outside. Make sure you keep drinking lots of water...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Untitled 8
I really appreciate all your support, insightful comments, and awesomely relevant quotes from famous artists (some of which I'm going to have to pin up on the walls of my studio).
I finally created something I liked last night. Also my biggest piece yet. My opinion may change again tomorrow, but today I like it. And that's something...yes?
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