Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The Collins' Creek Path 10" x 12" O/P

I feel that the largest obstacle that had to be overcome in painting today was the different greens and their values. It was a good exercise in painting with multiple 'greens'. I think that many artists fore go painting in the summer precisely because of the greens. How many times have we heard it said, "I do not paint in the summer, to many greens."
When squinting at the photo below with all its greens, the values are very close. Looking at the painting or comparing the painting on the easel to the scene, you can see how I tryed to manipulate the subject and their values in order to have lights against darks , darks against lights , warm colours against cool and vise verso. All of this to establish a background, middle and foreground. It can be a fight ! Full concentration is required here. I am not sure if I have been entirely successful here. Perhaps the values are close, thus losing some definition of the subjects edges. The panel for this piece was a Masonite gessoed panel that had a pinkish orange stain on its surface. The colours for this piece were Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Cad. Red Light, Alizarin, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Medium. As I painted, I added Veridian Green and Chromium Oxide Green and Yellow Ochre. And of course, Titanium White.

And, as if the 'greens' were not enough, I thought that I would add a little more fun to the mix. I drilled a hole into the end of a piece of molding, one inch by one inch and inserted my brush. Try it sometime ! With the heavier 'squinting' and the 'stick' brush, looseness seems to take on a whole new meaning of its own.
Interesting...but I think that this method of working would be more successful on a much larger panel that would allow for more freedom of movement at the shoulder while working.
Some "tightening" was executed near the completion of the painting with a brush (without the stick) .
Great fun !
'til next

21 comments:

Ed Terpening said...

Painting greens is a big challenge, particularly for beginners, who usually mix them too acidic (overly saturated, unnatural). As you've demonstrated, you need to push the warm / cool differences in greens to make them work.

PS. That brush is a hoot!

Gwen Bell said...

This is fantastic. Love that scratchy loose style! You have so many really wonderful paintings on your blog. I like them all but especially this current one and "Old Cemetery Drive Shed". Those spots of light yellow/green on the rusty red roof and the dappled sky really speak to me. Just gorgeous work!

René PleinAir said...

Indeed a challenge Frank, together with grey weather it's almost impossible. I like the mahlstick a very keen idea.

What i like the most is the little fellow in red with his walking stick it gives a nice measurement, for that matter I don't see many people in your paintings, ...

Tot de volgende keer,

Frank A. said...

Ed..Thank you very much for your response. I am happy that we are in agreement on the "greens".

"PS. That brush is a hoot!"

Yup ! Brush...on a stick.. : )

Take care.

Frank A. said...

Gwen..Thank you very much for your kind compliments. They are appreciated.
Nice to see you again.

Frank A. said...

Yeo, Rene ! Thank you for your compliments from your keen observations.

... "for that matter I don't see many people in your paintings," ...

Yes, you are right, one is enough.. : ) (just joking !)

...But, I know what you mean, Rene.

Hope that your summer is going well.

René PleinAir said...

Aah well maybe it's just an uninhabited area where you live ;-)

Bill Sharp said...

I've attempted scenes like that before and walked away defeated. You pulled it off masterfully. It also looks very atmospheric, on my screen.

Adding the common advice to always use the largest brush possible, maybe you should try your next one with a broom :)

Papierflieger said...

Hello Frank,
great painting and really natural greens! Cool to see you painting too :). Finally there seems to be some sun and a hat to wear!

Carol Horzempa said...

Ed, thank you again for sharing your experience with plein air painting. I'm one of those artist that doesn't like to paint at this time of the year because of all the "greens."

Thanks fo sharing your palette with us...I will try using your colors and face those greens which I'm completely surrounded with here in Wisconsin.

Your painting is beautiful and I love the mahstick idea!

Frank A. said...

Bill..Great to see your 'painted face' ! Hope things are going well for you.
Thanks for the compliment.

"It also looks very atmospheric, on my screen."

I wondered if it showed enough deph. Funny you should say hat.

"Adding the common advice to always use the largest brush possible, maybe you should try your next one with a broom :)"

Hey! thanks for the idea Bill. : )

frank A. said...

Hey Martin..nice to hear from you, stranger. I hope that you are still printing lots of those beautiful drawings.
I have tryed to leave a comment on your blog but can not find a place or I do not understand.

"Cool to see you painting too :)."

Now that I have revealed myself, it looks like a good time to get back on my diet and/or jogging..:)

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Martin.

Frank A. said...

Hi Carol..Long time no see !

"Ed, thank you again for sharing your experience with plein air painting. I'm one of those artist that doesn't like to paint at this time of the year because of all the "greens." "

Hey, my pleasure for sure.

Thanks fo sharing your palette with us...I will try using your colors and face those greens which I'm completely surrounded with here in Wisconsin.

Great ! Good luck with the effort. You might also try Thalo Blue and Lem. Yellow, or Black and Yellow. There are others but these seem exotic to me right now. :)

Thanks also for taking the time to comment, Carol.

Smiles..

Bruce Sherman said...

Gidday Mate!....Glad to see that you finally have gotten the picture ...and stepped
out there" into that big summer world of greens!!... "Stick" to it Sorolla!!YUK!YUK!
This morning after this email I'm off to Algonquin Park for a few days of painting...it will be greener than green up there...and raining too the weather guys say!We,ve done all that though...eh Loner??? Miss ya Buds! Good painting! Bruce
PS Nice hat!

Frank A. said...

Bruce. Hope that everything turned out okay at 'the park'. Glad to read that you are able to get back there.
Nice to see that you have finally got a blog together. I will have to find time now to make a visit.
'Life' is still interfearing with the painting to some extent around here. It is what it is ! Fun !
Will get back to you.

r garriott said...

Wow! I love these photos of you working out in the open, especially the one where we get the scale of you to the canvas. Just curious: Does your arm get tired from using the long stick? And are you naturally far sighted?

Nice paintings!

Jo Castillo said...

How cool is this? Thanks for the lesson and idea for a loosening up brush. :)

Frank A. said...

r garriot..Hey, I never got a notice that you guys were here. Sorry about that.

I only use the stick thing when I feel that my work is beginning to tighten up. :~) I suppose that the pic does look a little rediculous..haha..
No, I am not far sighted. Ruined my eyes doing close up work earlier in my art career. Thanks for taking the time to post comment.

Frank A. said...

Jo Castillo...Thanks, My pleasure.. :~) Sorry about getting back to you so late..

Michael Pieczonka said...

I love this painting Frank... beautifully suggestive of all the folliage. I think I remeber seeing a few pics of Sorolla using a paintbrush extension like you are in the photo... great idea if you have the means. The end result is great!

Frank A. said...

Michael.. Real nice to hear from you gain... :~)

"I think I remeber seeing a few pics of Sorolla using a paintbrush extension like you are in the photo... great idea if you have the means. The end result is great!"

Yup ! Nothing to it, Michael..find a stick of wood, and in my case, I drilled a hole a little smaller than the brush handle I inserted in the drilled hole, voila ! (friction held) Good to go ! good fun..!

Thanks for the compliment and for taking the time to comment.

take care..