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| Sunny Little Corner of Sawyer Park, oil, 18x24 |
I was about to write up my next blog post on something else,
but then had a request on Facebook to post my reference photos with my
paintings. That gets to be a bit much to post many of them on Facebook, but my
blog makes a good place to do that on occasion, and talk about the challenges
of working from photos.
This was my reference photo for the above painting, “Sunny
Little Corner of Sawyer Park” (oil, 18x24) and the studies below…
Not really a great photo. Pretty dull, actually. But it had
enough of a light and shadow pattern for me to work with, and enough elements
to create a composition with a good variety of large and small shapes.
I was recently teaching a workshop during which the
students painted at this same location one morning. I didn’t paint there on that
particular day, although I wish I did because as I was working with students, I
noticed that the light was spectacular. I’ve painted there a couple of times previously
over the past year and had several photos of the location. This photo was
actually taken last year at about the same time of year, and when I looked back
at it, I became aware that the camera missed capturing the amazing light that
I knew would have been about the same on the day I took this photo as the recent
workshop day.
I happened to use this photo to demonstrate a quick block in for a
pastel painting (below) before we headed out to our first painting location. Since we would be painting there the following day, I thought it would make a good subject for a quick studio demo. Later
in the workshop, after the students painted at this location, I quickly finished
it up.
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| Sunny Little Corner of the Deschutes, pastel, 9x12 |
Soon after the workshop, remembering the light I saw that
day, I noticed that I could push the warms of the sunlit area a bit more, and painted
a small oil study while it was still fresh in my mind.
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| Sunny Little Corner of Sawyer Park (study), oil, 8x10 |
The photo reference I used was purely for the basic shapes of the
rocks and foliage, textures, and an approximation of the light and shadow
patterns. However, I wanted to paint the LIGHT, not merely the “things”
in the reference photo. The rocks, trees, bushes, grass and water
were simply the vehicles for showcasing this light. Color--and more
specifically color temperature--couldn’t be referenced from the photo. It’s the
temperature of the light and shadows that I did my best to pull from my memory
of my time there at that location.
Upcoming Workshops:
Florham Park, NJ - 3-day PASTEL workshop (FULL with wait list)
July 22, 23 & 24, 2016
Debarry Studio Ten
Contact Christina at 973-525-2544 or Debarrystudio@gmail.com
$405
Cape Cod, MA - 3-day PASTEL/OIL workshop
Aug. 9, 10 & 11, 2016
Falmouth Artists Guild
Falmouth, MA
www.falmouthart.org
508-540-3304
$425/member; $475/non-member
Dahlonega, GA - 3-day PASTEL/OIL workshop
Sept., 22, 23 & 24, 2016 (Thurs/Fri/Sat)
The Art Loft
Dahlonega, GA
www.artloft.net
$465
Online Critiques
Would you like me to personally critique your oil or pastel painting? Visit www.ProArtCritique.com and click on my name for quick, affordable feedback on your work.
NEW! Critique Group in Bend, OR
In the Bend area? See the workshop page on my website for information on a new monthly critique group that I'll be leading!
