12" X 16 " oil on canvas panel
This is my second painting I have done in my project of painting my way through Kevin MacPherson's book "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color". His painting is called "Flaming Maple".
His commentary says, "Grays complement brights. If everyone is shouting, no one is heard. If all your colors are bright and intense, nothing stands out."
Graying the colors was the most difficult part of this painting. His painting looks like there is fog in the distance, so the far trees are just barely visible. The sky is such a light gray, it is almost white. I kept having to correct and correct the sky. I would think it was light enough, then realize it was still too dark.
The meadow area in the background left is a very light gray-green. I was surprised how light the color looked on my palette, but it was the right color. Now that I took the photo, I think my tree-trunks on the middle trees look too dark, but they are dark in his painting. So maybe my foliage there isn't dark enough, rather than the trunks being too dark.
I really want to thank every single person who has visited my blog over the past month. Our house has been like a convalescence home for a good while. First my daughter had surgery and I nursed her for two week. Then I had sinus surgery and moped around for another two weeks. So I was so cheered by the visits and good wishes! Thanks again!
Lovely work, Viginia! Another excellent reference book is John Carlson's Guide To Painting Landscapes. (I probably don't have the title right, but you can look him up on Amazon.com) A little trick I use (and by all means you don't have to follow) is to mix two piles of gray-- one cool, one warm in a very high key, and use them as my "white" when mixing colors. This harmonizes the colors, and keeps the chroma in check so that everyone isn't "shouting" at once. Keep up the good job!
ReplyDeleteVirginia, I hope you are all feeling better!! At least you won't be down for the Holidays:) Love this painting. I was just reading Diane Hoeptner's Mull It Over Monday and she talked about the 80/20 rule. Where if you have 80% neutral or one color you need a 20% accent of another color. Pretty good way to think about our paintings. Have a great week, Virginia:))
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely lovely! Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeletethis is such a GORGEOUS painting, Virginia. I love those outstanding colors and the misty background....beautiful. I hope you and your family are feeling better!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Virginia! Stay healthy!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are on a roll!! Really lovely painting!
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is better!
Really nice painting, what a great way to learn. You have wonderful determination, it will be fun to follow your progress!!
ReplyDeleteVirginia this is absolutely beautiful! I think those greys really made this one something special. Those brights are kind of like the perfect piece of jewlry for a little black dress right?
ReplyDeleteAnd I guess I must have missed hearing about your surgery and your daughter's too. I hope you're feeling much better now. :) My mom had sinus surgery so I know through her that it's no picnic. Thinking of you. :)
Beautiful work on this! Really is true about those grey tones! I think I read Kevin MacPherson's book about 50 times the first year I painted... Hope your feeling better!
ReplyDeleteWow . . . look at you and how far you've come! Beautiful! The color balance is perfect and drew me right in. There's a lot of left-brain stuff to study and know and your hard work is really paying off. I'm so glad you're feeling well enough to tackle painting again. We've missed you!
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job on this painting and the one below. I am a big fan of gray! Love the vibrant orange tree. I have this book too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful job!
ReplyDeletefantastic painting Virginia...you have to be pleased with it. It is great how the neutrals make the autumn colors look so colorful....excellent result!
ReplyDeleteExcellent Virginia! Depth of color and brushwork here are both beautiful-great job.
ReplyDeleteGrays and brights make a wonderful contrast. Great job.
ReplyDeleteOh Virginia, I see nothing wrong with this painting at all. You have achieved such graduation of distance a real accomplishment. This exercise of painting from his book is going to make you grow by leaps and bounds. Your work is looking quite beautiful...
ReplyDeleteOh Virginia, I see nothing wrong with this painting at all. You have achieved such graduation of distance a real accomplishment. This exercise of painting from his book is going to make you grow by leaps and bounds. Your work is looking quite beautiful...
ReplyDeleteWonderful!! Oh, I'm loving these studies--makes me wanna try a landscape.
ReplyDeletejust came back to have another look at this fabulous painting, Virginia!
ReplyDeleteGrays are a challenge and always amaze me how they clarify the stars of the show. You did a lovely job. Glad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, you did a fine job with this and Kevin's book is great to study from.
ReplyDeleteGlad all the convalescing is Overwith!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
A beautiful, beautiful painting, Virginia. I am always amazed at the effectiveness of the grays against color. Just dynamite as you've proven here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting Virginia. What a great way learn! Just like the students in the time of the great Masters. Your grays are wonderful and you really captured the aerial perspective. Sorry to hear you and your daughter have been unwell. How you are both feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, this is a beautiful painting and the lessons learned will always be with you. Glad your household is getting better!!
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia...Been missing you and had to come check on you! Thought I had commented on this beauty! Love what you did with this and great way to learn.
ReplyDeleteSo glad all is well with your family and know this will be a happy holiday! Take care!!
Hey Virginia! Merry Christmas! I miss your cheery writings and paintings too. Hope everything is okay and you'll be back in the blogosphere soon.
ReplyDeletewaiting patiently for your next new painting!
ReplyDeleteHi Virginia,
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to hear from you! I'll look forward to seeing your paintings again, and in the meantime I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas season. Cheers, Claire