Good morning! How are you? I hope you're having a great summer!
This summer Tuesday mornings have been for short paint trips. I am learning to use the time for gathering information and ideas to possibly be used in studio paintings.
The color and light out there are so different from what a photo captures. It helps me to remember that when I'm inside painting. I don’t always know whether or not I’ll use a particular outdoor study for a studio painting later on, but it’s good to have them for reference just in case. I leave the house early in the morning, to a place I’ve decided on the day before. I went in search of rocks a couple of weeks ago, with a particular ridge in mind. When I got there, this little outcropping caught my eye and I decided this would be my subject. |
I always want to get the feel of a place in the small study. The difference between a camera and a study is unbelievable! I’m learning to identify what I like about a scene before I dive in and start painting. What exactly am I after? This keeps me on track when I get caught up in the painting.
After identifying my intent, a couple of little sketches and value studies help me to see what and how I will accomplish that. The three little sketches above took only a few minutes, but you can see how different they are from each other. The one I chose to use is the one with only sky behind the hillside, with the rocks showing an edge of sun glinting off them and the ground showing sunlight bouncing back on the rocks. |
I had decided to use Gouache (pronounced "gwash") for my study this day. After a few lines for placement, comes the paint. I begin with large shapes and work to smaller shapes. I don’t aim for details unless its a really important one.
I aim for the feel of the day. All that sunlight striking on the rock and grasses, against the shadow of the rock was my goal. |
This is the little study I managed that day. I liked the feel of it and decided I'd like to do a larger version.
I kept the same proportion with the larger painting as the study had. The study was 4x6 and the larger studio painting is 12x16. Even though I did the study in Gouache, in the studio I used oil and canvas. I added more details and a cloud looming up over the hillside. |
Sunlight on the Hillside 12x16 oil on canvas
I absolutely love the open spaces and bright sunshine of the West! Sunlight on the Hillside is currently being considered for the Nicolaysen Art Museum's Gatsby Gala to be held September 9. I'll find out later this week whether or not it will be included in the show. I hope it is! Till next time, I hope you're enjoying a beautiful summer,
Ginny |
