This little vase was given to me one year for Christmas by one of my daughters. Somewhere along the way the lid got broken, but I've saved the vase for sentimental reasons.
I experimented today with my arrangement. I moved my palette to the end of my desk so that I had to stand about six feet from the easel while mixing paint. It really forced me to stand back and look at the painting from a distance as I was working on it. I can't say it made the painting any better, but it was good for me to move away after every few strokes. I really concentrated less on small details and more on the overall painting.
My husband and I went last weekend to an Art Fair in a small town nearby, and I had a really fun time talking to the artists who were exhibiting. There were three whose works I really admired, and I later learned that all three of them at one time were students of my current instructor! Is that cool, or what?
Nice, Virginia. I'm glad you saved the vase. I can see it in future paintings!
ReplyDeleteVery nice composition and I really like your color scheme. Love the sentimental vase:) Very cool about the artists/teacher link at the art fair. Guess you have the right teacher!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is cool! Great idea to stand back a lot. You did a great job on the middle pear!
ReplyDeleteVirginia,
ReplyDeleteReally pretty and I like how the light hits the front of the vase and also behind it. That reads so correctly and adds depth to it along with the darks. Maybe that was the stepping back and seeing the whole composition paying off! Love the pears! Vase is perfect for still lifes and that it lost it's lid and you kept it anyway makes it super sentimental! Way cool about the other students- you are on your way too friend!
Outdoor painters are always counseling that it is a good idea to paint things that are "not directly at your feet"--so I imagine the same this can be true for in the studio! Painting from life is the best! Very good work on this still life.
ReplyDeleteThe blues and yellows work nicely to create a soft painting!
ReplyDeleteJanice
oilsbyjanice.blogspot.com
Love the subdued color. A lot to like about this but keep wondering if the vase should be less soft? A shiny harder texture with a brighter highlight and stronger reflections would give it more impact, I think. I've also moved my easel farther from my palette . . . it helps! And it is cool that you all shared an instructor!
ReplyDelete(I don't know how long the exhibit will be up yet but think it will be 3-4 weeks . . . will definitely let you know. Please email me.)
Thank you everyone for your visits and comments!
ReplyDeleteLorraine, I appreciate the helpful hint. You are right...I thought it looks like the vase and pears were painted by two different people. In the vase, I was experimenting with using an aqua blue color for the shadows rather than the grays I typically use. It's pretty blend-y. The pears aren't as blended.
Beautiful painting Virginia! I do love the yellow and purple combination, it's one of my favorites. And I think still life's with sentimental objects are some of the best ones. :) Also, how cool is that about those students and your teacher! Kismet!
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia! Catching up on your blog. I really find this painting appealing--maybe the color combo or the simple shapes. It's very nice. Enjoyed your posts on your struggles too. We all have those times--wipe-wipe-wipe!
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about pears that is so appealing? This is a lovely still life, Virgina - and those gorgeous pears just add to the beauty!
ReplyDeleteI like that the ginger jar is kind of an inverted pear shape and they all look cozy together, very nice.
ReplyDeletein this the shapes and colors worked really well.
ReplyDelete