Friday, October 7, 2011

Landscape Underpainting



This is the underpainting for a landscape that I started in my weekly class.  Our instructor has us use transparent oil color to sketch in our study and values.

I watched the movie "Julie and Julia" last week.  Its about a young woman who decides to cook all of the recipes in Julia Child's cook book in one year.  It gave me the notion that I want to paint my way through a book.    I have Kevin MacPherson's book, "Fill your Oil Paintings with Light & Color".  He gives steps for how he first blocks in his paintings and then discusses his finished paintings.

Julie Ford Oliver has been painting and posting a series that she calls Painting the Masters.  She stated that she has learned a lot from studying and copying the works of various artists.

That's what I hope to gain by copying some of MacPherson's works.  So this is my first attempt to paint from his book.  His painting is called "Full Moon Rising".

12 inch X 16 inch oil on stretched canvas

21 comments:

  1. A beautiful and exciting start, Virginia! I love this stage . . . it has so much potential and possibilities. I'm learning try to stay with this free exploratory mindset as I go on but often succumb to control. Sounds like a great idea to paint through the MacPherson book. Julie Oliver was in my Carol Marine class . . . haven't visited her blog in awhile and will. Look forward to seeing this finished!

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  2. I love the start of a painting, Lorraine! It feels the same as the first day of school and a box of new crayons!

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  3. Un merveilleux début... j'ai hâte vraiment de voir votre peinture achevée.
    J'aime la petite histoire qui accompagne votre publication.
    gros bisous

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  4. Virginia, I can't wait to see more as you work on this painting-great start and I think you are right about working your way through one book.
    I saw your directions for roasting peppers on Brenda's blog and I am going to try them that way-sounds delicious!

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  5. I can't wait to see the your final painting, Virginia. You have a great start!

    I like your idea of painting through Kevin MacPherson's book (I like his books and paintings!). This is going to be fun to see what you do!!

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  6. Excellent start! I look forward to your next post!

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  7. Wonderful painting and wonderful idea. I think we all love learning new ways and trying different approaches. Love the idea of working your way through a book- good choice:)

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  8. Great idea! MacPherson is a good one to start with! And I love this underpainting AS IS. No need to 'green it up' for me!

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  9. I love the start to your painting! The under-painting process always fascinates me when painting with oils. With my love of sepia I'd probably quit after I got that far:) I love the movie Julie and Julia, that was the inspiration for me starting my blog! I love the idea of you painting through a book!!!

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  10. Love this approach. Can't wait to see the finished piece.

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  11. cool idea...I will be watching. Does McPherson use underpaintings?

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  12. Thanks, everyone. Celeste, McPherson paints an underpainting of blocks of color rather than the transparent oils. I used them because in my class I follow my instructor's methods. I don't use them when I paint at home.

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  13. This is a great start Virginia, I will look forward to seeing all of the paintings!

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  14. I agree, this will be a really excellent start and what a good idea to systematically approach learning. I look forward to seeing them.

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  15. Virginia, This is lovely just the way it is! I love the abstract quality and beautiful colors! Very striking! I will enjoy seeing your progress! By the way, thank you for the good wishes on your recent comment to my blog! These are much appreciated!

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  16. Wow Virginia! Absolutely gorgeous beginning! I'll look forward to seeing the completion and the future paintings as you work through his process and book. Thanks for visiting and commenting, you're such a wonderful blogging buddy. Cheers!

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  17. a landscape?? That's a delightful surprise-- It looks dreamy so far, very soft and lovely composition.

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  18. I like where its going. Excellent start! I look forward to the next post

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  19. Great idea Virginia. You've got a great start! This is very nice.

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  20. The Julie/Julia thing inspired a lot of people and I think it's a great idea to use the book as the 'recipe' book do to speak .
    I love this start .

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  21. Awesome blog. The starting of blog is very nice.

    Landscaping Virginia

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