I've updated to the new Blogger system and have taken the opportunity to add some more pictures from the last year. As you'll see I'm being a bit more adventurous in my use of materials and have occasionally used the computer as an art tool for part of the creation of a picture.
The blog has now had over 600 viewings (thank-you!) and below is a picture of the breakdown of recent visits by country and percentage.
Remember to click on the pictures to view enlarged.
11 comments:
Hi Steve,
Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind comment.
I love your new photos of fresh green shoots just starting to appear.
Your paintings are developing into a style of their own. You have really captured the reflections in the water at Taynuuilt. I would have liked to see some vertical smudging (softening)of the objects,the trees,the shed etc. to give a feeling of movement in the water.
Sorry this is a late thank-you note; I am on a bit of a hiatus from blogging. There will be more content at my blog in a few weeks.
Regards,
Coral
Hi Coral,
Many thanks for email and kind comments. Your art suggestions are very useful - I'm only a learner and welcome criticism!
I'm still following your blog with interest. Keep up the good work - I just wish I had your energy!
Steve.
Hi Steve,
I am an amateur, too. I can draw better than I can paint. I was trying to say that when one paints an expanse of water with oils, as you have done, it is sometimes more effective to add some thinners and use a slightly lighter shade of green or brown by mixing white with the original shade that you used for the land.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/Coral_Peach/tn_tn_from_taynuilt_jetty.jpg
I copied your picture to show what I meant by softening the reflected items in the water. I will delete the picture once you have looked at it.
Regards,
Coral
Steve,
That link was bad. How about this?
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/Coral_Peach/tn_tn_from_taynuilt_jetty.jpg
Hi Coral,
I've viewed (and copied) your version of the pic. Thanks for doing that - it does give a completely different view. I find all this quite fascinating! What was interesting about that particular evening at Taynuilt was just how still the water was. It was the "purity" of the reflections which attracted me, but thinking about it now I guess I was using my photographer's eye and not my artist eye. You don't often see the loch so still - its a sea loch, and the tide was coming in.
I shall certainly bear these thoughts in mind in the future.
Thanks, Steve.
Hi Steve,
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/Coral_Peach/burano.jpg
If the water is very still and the sun is strong, as in this canal in Burano, Italy, the colours of the reflected buildings remain almost intact. If it is a very overcast day then most of the reflected items from the land will be dark grey or light brownish taupe and the shapes will be solid.
Re: Your painting – It is perfect as it is but do you see how the roughness of the land becomes richer if you flatten out (soften) the water?
Another tip I have picked up (I have plenty of theory but have managed to put very little into practice)...Create a first draft of your painting with a very thinned down paint, using greys and beiges. You will be able to visualize different aspects and detail as you work. Then build up another layer with a thicker consistency of colour. Don’t be afraid to use a palette knife to drag your paint to make the straight edges of buildings and rags are good for blending.
Regards,
Coral
Steve,
The missing end should read Coral_Peach/burano.jpg
Thanks.
Coral
Hi, Steve,
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h243/Coral_Peach/burano-1.jpg
The missing end of this link should read Coral_Peach/burano-1.jpg. The above picture is a similar picture as the previous one but there are a few ripples in the water. You can achieve this effect by painting the solid colours of the buildings in the water then drag the paint with a sharp metal object, something like a biro but more substantial. The point of a pair of compasses would suffice.
Regards,
Coral
Hi Coral,
Thanks for the further comment and the examplea you kindly sent me. I can see exaclty what you mean and how the eye gets a better perspective on things with the techniques. For me this is a good lesson in transferring from being a photographer to being a potential artist.
I have saved the Burano pix and will have a go at painting them myself.
We did an interesting exercise at art class yesterday where we didn't use brushes but just the edges of card and gouache to paint seascapes. It was actually quite effective as it lets you include slightly wobbly lines which represent distant waves well.
Regards,
Steve.
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