Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Lemons and pitcher



Arrrgh!  I haven't painted in several weeks, and I can tell!  I made mud in a couple of spots in this one.

I am beginning to learn something about values.  I have a tendency never to make my darks dark enough. Then I have to go back and adjust.  I did that on the grapes here.  Since they are pale green grapes, not the dark purple ones I painted last time,  I laid down what I thought was a dark color.  But then when I started painting in the lighter body colors, they were too close in value to each other.  Lesson learned.

I just dabbed on some highlights and quit.  I have to go out of town today, so I'm posting this.  I hope to get back to a regular schedule of painting now that most of the festivities are over.

Thanks to everyone who has visited me and commented over the Christmas holidays.  It is so great to see the generous comments from some really terrific painters out there.  Thanks again!  You guys rock!

8 comments:

  1. I'm impressed that you tackled a metal pitcher! Good job on that and the reflections. Values are sooo difficult. It's wonderful that we are all still learning!

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  2. Like Linda said Virginia, you tackled a hard one! Values are difficult for everyone. I took a workshop from Liz Wiltzen who continually reminded us to look at the values not just relative to the object, but relative to the values in the rest of the composition. When I occasionally remember to do that, it makes a big difference.:-)

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  3. Le travail de votre pichet est un grand travail de reflets... de lumière... d'ombre.
    Tout se joue dans votre composition sur les nuances et les formes... mais vous y réussissez.
    Après effectivement il reste la manière de cadrer votre sujet et de le faire surgir sur la toile...
    Beau travail.
    Joyeuses fêtes... et gros bisous.
    Ps: vite, vite aux pinceaux, après les fourchettes et les couteaux... lol

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  4. Thanks, Linda. Yes we are still learning!

    Martinealison, vite aux pinceaux!

    Claire, comparing values relative to the rest of the composition was the struggle in this painting. I started with the pitcher, and I was pleased with how the dark values contrasted with the light and reflections. Then I worked on the lemons. I can see now that they look washed out--I didn't get the dark values right for them. I didn't really see that as I was painting. I did realize it with the grapes, and I had to go back and really add darks.

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  5. I really like this one. The reflection is very believable and the color is effective. Really enjoyed looking at the pitcher ! -Sandy Haynes

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  6. I think it's beautiful. And I also like the values in here, the pitcher is particularly strong I think. In fact I think that is my favorite part. :) Happy New Year!

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  7. Great reflections on the pitcher, it is well done!Happy New Year to you and all the best in 2011~

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  8. Metal is so difficult but you've done a really exceptional job! Love those reflections!

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