Sunday, January 3, 2010

MOONSET


Yesterday morning, the moon was still up at 7:30 AM. The sky was lightening a bit and the trees were blackened against the light of the moon. Once the moon begins to set, it happens fairly quickly that it dips down over the hill and I can no longer see it.

This painting is my take on moonset and early morning. I can't seem to get the blue correct in this - the blue is really more a warm, French Ultramarine Blue...but it's close.

Another small watercolor sketch = 5 12" x 15" on 140# coldpress paper.




14 comments:

Ann Buckner said...

I like this, Rhonda. Has that hint of mystery.

cathyswatercolors said...

This is beautiful. How did you do the moon? The colors really set the mood.

Christiane Kingsley said...

I love this! It has a certain mysterious look...You are building a very interesting series. What a great start for 2010.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, Ann. That time of the morning when it's not quite dark, the sky is lightening a bit, and yet the moon is so bright and shining through the trees - a perfect time :)
Cathy, I misketed the moon over prepoured yellow on the paper. Actually, I poured yellow at the top and blue at the bottom of this long sheet (just playing), then misketed out the moon and poured French Ultramarine Blue over the whole sheet, spritzing it down the page (to create the tree trunks), and used a soft paper towel to dab around the moon to have the glow showing around it. Easy, really.
Christiane, thanks so much for you comment, I do seem stuck on small, easy, and filled with moonlight right now :)

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Moonset is outstanding. I must try this technique.
The paper size you chose really adds to the effect.

PatS

Myrna Wacknov said...

Elegant!

Chris Beck said...

Another wonderful painting!! Love the suggestion of more trees in the background and the moody sky!!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, Pat, Myrna, and Chris :)
Pat, I removed your double post. Do try this - it's easy and I had this piece lying around with the colors on it for a long time so...you never know when those odds come in handy.
Thanks, Myrna, I like that description a lot!
Chris, another quick, easy, small one that seems to be what I'm in the mood for right now. I enjoyed doing this one and trying not to overdo the limbs!

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

Stunning!!

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Pam :)

Carol King said...

Ooooh, I love this one Rhonda. I think the colors are great and I love the strong dark trees.

Vicki Greene said...

Really nice painting. I like the words already used - mysterious and elegant.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Carol and Vicki. Yes, mysterious and elegant are pretty good descriptives for any painting! I'll take 'em!!