Autumn
9x12
This is a study that, I must admit, came from somewhere in my imagination. It was done purely as a way to learn more about the transparency process. I learn from every one of these paintings. And to make sure I retain what I learn, I take detailed notes. Hopefully, I'll be able to create larger paintings soon. But for right now, there's more to figure out.
I start by building the bones of the painting with dark transparent colors, then allow them to dry. The trick is to not do this too dark, because successive colors will darken the initial colors. For the sky I used transparent sienna mixed with white. After drying, I glazed over it with sienna. In the background field, transparent colors were used, but when they dried completely, I also glazed over with a bit of white and transparent sienna to cause recession of space.
There are times when I feel I'm wasting my time with the pursuit of going off in a whole different direction. I feel like going back to what was a comfortable painting process for me. But other times, I know I'm on the right track. Being an artist means having difficult, frustrating times too.
16 comments:
This painting has such a warm fall glow... you are capturing that feeling with your process, so keep going with it! It should always be a little bit scary!
beautiful painting janelle.
translucent oils are tricky but you are doing a great job, the trick is to work one thin layer at a time and build them up drying in between. my symbolic series are done with translucent oils. they look amazing under track lighting.
i do an underpainting with very pale, high key colors, to create a base that wasn't pure white and give me a slight value map, then start working the translucent oils over top once that dried. i would have as many as 50 layers of paint, but so think you wouldn't know it. these paintings would take forever to paint, it makes you feel unproductive, but it's worth it in the end.
schminke mussini makes beautiful translucent colors and they have a lot of them to choose from, even translucent white.
and you are not wasting your time by trying something new, growth only comes from experimenting and leaving your comfort zone. i spent ALL of 2008 doing that, and now i feel re-energized and learned A LOT! keep it up!
Hi Janelle, just found your site thru Laurel's and found it very rewarding. I like your work and musings.
I related to all of it, especially the part about not expecting to be all that into blogging. It's great on many levels isn't it? But you're right, meeting and learning from artists all over is so priceless. Maybe someday we can all meet at a big "blogging conference"!!! wouldn't that be fun.......
There is a beautiful luminosity about this painting. Keep experimenting with those translucents. I can't wait to get back to my oils. I'm so out of my element, but I know it's good to try new things. I have an oil landscape work in progress in my shed. Maybe I'll post a photo of it as a WIP for suggestions. I would love to get your opinion! (Just don't hold your breath - I won't have any time until the end of the week at least).
Hi Janelle.
Thanks for following. Your work looks great and I see you pay much attention to light. I look forward to your future postings!
Hi Laurel, You have a point - it should always be a little bit scary - I love that!
Hi Christine, Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. You expressed what I'm feeling about feeling unproductive because they take forever to paint. And thanks for letting me know about Schmike Mussini, especially translucent white!
HI Mary Anne, Thanks for stopping by. Wouldn't it be great to have a blogging conference to meet all the wonderful bloggers in person?
Hi Neetzy, Thanks so much. I would love to see your landscape!
Janelle, your style is beautiful, I like the sensitivity and atmosphere in your work. Wonderful brushmarks.
Keep going!! Because even if your translucents merge with your previous work somehow in the future (and don't remain as independent pieces), it 's still information learned and assimilated. I like what Laurel said that it should always be a little scary...that makes me feel better too!
These really do glow and are so luminous.
Hi Fabio, Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comments!
Hi Karen, Yes, I think you're right about assimilating the translucent work with some of my previous style. I'm trying to leave as much translucent color untouched as possible. Yes, scary. Lots of challenge but I'm happier with the results than I have been in quite a while.
Wow, I'm so glad you visited my blog so that I could know about YOUR work! Your colors are sooooo gorgeous! Want to link blogs? I'm adding you to mine and look forward to visiting your blog.
Thank you for explaining your process. Sometimes it feels like you're just repeating what everybody knows, but I learned something new here. I will have to experiment and follow your example.
This is a really beautiful painting...! I like that you like to try different things..I think that is what it is to be an artist..to be willing to take risks without regard for pleasing "the audience". Sometimes we fail and sometimes we are rewarded. The people who stay in their comfort zone aren't taking advantage of what it is to be an artist. You are. Bravo, Janelle!
Hi Janelle, have you been 'tagged' yet? Well I have tagged you. :)
Come by to check out the 'tagee' requirements.
Hi Janelle! I've 'tagged' you on my blog...not sure if you'd had this fun yet. :)
Janelle, This is a beautiful piece. Your imagination is definitely a rich and very sensitive place. Keep drawing from the wealth in there.
Hi Jala, Thanks so much for the link and your comments. I've added you to mine. Your work is beautiful.
Hi Sue, I'm explaining what I've learned so far. There have been some mistakes too, which is why I'm taking notes. I only want to pass on correct information. Thanks so much for your comments.
Hi Celeste, Sometimes I feel like creeping back into my comfort zone. But I'm happier with the results of the new direction I'm going in. Thanks for your encouragement.
Hi Karen, I was wondering why you were commenting twice. Yikes! I'll be by to check out the requirements. This is totally new to me. Thanks for the tag!
Hi Loriann, I hope your fingers are better. Thanks for your comment. Regarding the imagination, I wish I could freeze the scenes that go on there. Sometimes the imagination can be quite illusive.
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