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
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21 comments:

  1. Lorraine ShirkusOctober 7, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    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. Virginia FloydOctober 7, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    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. martinealisonOctober 7, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    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. Fay TerryOctober 7, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    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. Linda PoppleOctober 7, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    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. hmuxoOctober 7, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Excellent start! I look forward to your next post!

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  7. Kathy CousartOctober 7, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    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. Kelley Carey MacDonaldOctober 8, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    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. Carrie Waller WatercolorsOctober 9, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    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. Angela SullivanOctober 9, 2011 at 5:11 PM

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

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  11. Celeste BerginOctober 9, 2011 at 11:00 PM

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

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  12. Virginia FloydOctober 10, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    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. Dana CooperOctober 10, 2011 at 6:24 AM

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

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  14. mary maxamOctober 10, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    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. Nancy B. HartleyOctober 10, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    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. claire christinelOctober 10, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    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. Diane HoeptnerOctober 11, 2011 at 6:43 AM

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

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  18. David Larson EvansOctober 12, 2011 at 9:35 AM

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

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  19. Stephanie BerryOctober 16, 2011 at 12:22 PM

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

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  20. Mary Sheehan WinnOctober 21, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    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. UnknownOctober 26, 2012 at 5:06 AM

    Awesome blog. The starting of blog is very nice.

    Landscaping Virginia

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