Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Fading Memory

The studio has been holding me captive, preparing for a solo show in Mid April.  The sharpness gained in each plein air outing is fading.  Have to get out there to regenerate those senses soon - Monday or Tuesday.

In the mean time I reviewed the last snow scene done on site.  That helps sharpen the senses (colour especially), but the real thing is far superior.  Another aid to sharpen is to work indoors from life.  This can take several forms - block studies, still life, and life.  For those who have a large book of excuses these options are controlled and comfortable (not such a good thing for immediacy).  Working by looking outside while basking in the comfort of the studio just isn't the same.  One cannot see the whole picture for comparison purposes and the glass just doesn't do it.  Then again, I am a bit touched!

This is the last snow scene.  It was done on a brilliant day looking into the shadows below the dam on Scotsdale farm.

Round Two, 10x12, Oil on Board

You will see a gradation in the cool shadow colours in the snow.  From this one can tell it was a clear "blue" sky day.  Looking closely one sees considerable green under the trees where the sky cannot send its reflections.  Every colour on my palette is in the cool shadows.

The painting was done with two bristle filbert brushes - #14 and #8.

On the palette was Ultramarine Blue, Viridian, Cadmium Yellow Light. Cadmium Yellow Deep, and Alizarin.

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