Sunday, May 20, 2012

Spring Hillside (# 9 after Kevin MacPherson)


(12 X 16 Oil on stretched canvas)



I bought a new book!  It's "Landscape Painting Inside & Out" by Kevin MacPherson.   If you've seen his book, you'll recognize that this is his cover painting.  I fell in love with it when I first saw it, and just had to try to paint it.

I think this is my favorite painting so far.  I just loved those fields of yellow and gold!

A friend was looking at my paintings and remarked, "Your favorite color is orange, isn't it?"  Looking at them with her, I could see a lot of orange!  It's not my favorite really...if asked, I'd say yellow.

One of my earliest memories involving color is from when I was in about the third grade.  My mother bought me a new chenille bedspread (remember those?) in a buttery yellow.  I remember being aware that it made my whole room seem filled with sunshine.

But  I really love all warm colors.   Those are the paintings I'm drawn too, and even the choices I make in my clothes.

I don't own anything that's blue...not in my clothes or in my house.  Not that I don't see the beauty of blues.  It's just that when I start making personal selections, I always choose warm colors.

A friend of mine usually paints with cool colors....blues, purples, greens, and I think her paintings are beautiful.   But that's not me.  I think it's interesting how each of us is drawn to different color choices.  I'd love to hear what's your favorite.

15 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, Virginia! And I love the story you tell in your post, too. Perfect!!!

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  2. Vous avez raison ma chère Virginia, chacun de nous inconsciemment est attiré par une nuance de couleur... En ce qui me concerne j'aime les verts et les bleus qui n'en sont pas! En somme les couleurs acidulées!... Toutefois lorsque je suis en extase devant un tableau il n'est pas forcément dans ces nuances-là... Lorsque j'admire cette peinture que vous nous montrez avec cette sublime harmonie de jaunes je suis émerveillée et transportée... Le froid qui attire le chaud et inversement...
    Gros bisous à vous et merci pour cette belle publication.

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    1. Martine said:You are right my dear Virginia, each of us is unconsciously attracted to a shade of color ... In my case I like the greens and blues that are not! In short the vibrant colors! ... However when I'm in ecstasy before a table is not necessarily in these grades then ... When I admire the painting that you show us with this sublime harmony of yellow I am amazed and transported ... The cold-catching hot and vice versa ...
      Big hugs to you and thank you for this wonderful publication.

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  3. I love the fields of yellow. Beautifully serene and beautifully painted!

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  4. A beautiful painting, Virginia. I can see why this is your favorite...its painted SO well. Since I do mostly portraits, I don't really have a favorite color choice but when I see seascapes..I tend to love those wonderful blues..but basically I love all colors. By the way, I love Chenille..I have one on my bed..Cream color...it always brings me back to my past as well!!! Enjoy your day...

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  5. Just beautiful Virginia. :) It does have a peaceful sunny feeling to it. And I got that book from the library once before and found it so inspiring, even if I don't paint in oils. . . or landscapes for that matter. :) And my favorite paint colors lean towards blue and orange. I always love paintings that incorporate both. Must be that color wheel huh?

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  6. I always go for green! But unlike you with the warms, I don't enjoy painting them. Someone should start making chenille bedspreads again, I used to love those. Beautiful painting!!

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  7. It's an excellent book and you've done a lovely and inspired piece. Have fun!

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  8. Great painting Virginia! I also have Kevin's book and I love it! I haven't been able to put any of his wonderful tips to use yet, but hope to get some plein air happening soon. Wonderful progress you're making on this landscape journey. Well done!

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  9. Virgina... love your new profile pic ! thanks for the comment about painting scenes with people. It is still hard for me, and I need to compose the painting carefully, and not include too many figures. I get frustrated, and then I go get a flower from the garden, and put it in a vase ! ha ha .... my ole standby !

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  10. I love that book by Kevin! I pour over it. Very inspiring and tons of great info about plein air painting. He's a great mentor!

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  11. So soft so beautiful. Your paintings are really taking on a new style. love this

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  12. Really love this one—such gorgeous warm earth tones! It's been fun to catch up with your blog and see how many landscapes you've done, and much progress with each. I'm glad you're no longer being so hard on yourself with choosing the right color. I've allowed myself to accept trial and error and adjustments and layers and think it's helped me to see more accurately in the process. I really love your new profile picture . . . your hair against the sky is gorgeous.

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  13. Beautiful Virginia. I will have to check into the book. You did a gorgeous job with all the warm colors. I like a little bit of everything!!

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  14. Just lovely Virginia! You did such a great job! I guess I like a bit of any colour ;-)

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