Today was another of those great days here. Time for a little plein air. Out with the pastels and into the yard. I painted trees the other day and we don't have much around in place of trees so I spotted a woodpile. Fishing Guy mentioned that he enjoyed the work in progress (WIP) photos so I decided to do that. Remember you can click on the photos to see a larger version.
First the reference photo to give you my idea for the painting.
I had a Masonite panel that I had finished with Colourfix pastel primer in burgundy color. I did a light sketch with a Nupastel which is one of the harder pastel sticks. I usually use Nupastels for the sketch and beginning the under painting if I use one. I also use them for blending a little instead of using my fingers or another material. Some pastelists blend with styrofoam popcorn, rubber gloves, tortillons, brushes, etc.
In plein air the light changes very quickly emphasized by the huge number of trees in our yard. In the open you have an hour or so before you notice the changing light, but in the trees it changes in a few minutes as moving sun changes the shadows very quickly. I try to mark the light and then ignore the changes.
Shortly after I started, I dropped the small piece of dark red that I was using. It was hard to see in the Pine needles. It is up and to the right of the big leaf on the left. It was about 2 feet from where I dropped it.
I then forgot to take any photos until I was almost finished. Sorry. It is easy to just paint and forget what you are doing. At least for me.
Here is my setup and maybe you can see some of the light changes, but the other photo I wasn't standing this far back. You can see it was a beautiful day.
The Woodpile Out BackSoft pastel on board with Colourfix medium, 8 x 10 inches
Check my website for this and other small paintings I call Jo's Notions. You might like to have one of these small inexpensive paintings, have a look.
I looked at this for a while and decided to break up the light on the front. It was a little dark and had no variety. So this is the "final" version.
I looked at this for a while and decided to break up the light on the front. It was a little dark and had no variety. So this is the "final" version.
4 comments:
Jo: Thanks, that was such a wonderful job and a really neat painting. I learned so much from our visit.
fishing guy, thanks, I'm glad you made it home safely. Your visit was great!
That was great, Jo! Loved watching the progression of your art. It's helpful to me to see the original reference because I learn as much from an artist by what they choose to include and exclude as anything else. A crash course in composition? :-)
Lovely end result! Thanks!
Nice painting. The added sunshine in the front made a big difference. Cool.
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