Monday, April 22, 2013

REFERENCES



In order to practice landscapes, one has to have good references - either in reality (outside looking at the scene)  or in photographs.  Here are a few snaps I took out the bedroom window of the little forest behind our neighbors' houses last week.
(That neighbor's house you see is not the house that keeps the security light on all night - that house is just up the hill a bit, meaning it shines in my windows all night long.  I feel like I'm in the Big House and the searchlight is on, looking for Cool Hand Luke!)

I like shadows - I am attracted to strong shadows in anything.  The early morning light was making some nice shadows in the first two photos.

Our yard ends at the fenceline.  Pretty soon the trees will be even more bloomed out there.  











All are possible references for practice paintings.  There certainly is enough green to keep me occupied!

And I could just set up outside and try some plein air painting in the comfort of my own back yard?  Maybe...if the temperature would go back up to 75F.




This shows a wetter version - after a rainy day.












 You don't have to travel far to find potential landscape paintings.  Of course, you want to omit a lot of things - like the fence line - or move a few things around to suit yourself.  That's the fun of being an artist.

Have a great week!  I'll be in my little art room practicing and hope to have something good to show you sooner rather than later.  I am returning to my Caw Girl series for a painting that, if it turns out well, I may enter in the upcoming Cincinnati Art Club Viewpoint Show - we'll see.

9 comments:

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

Such a beautiful place Rhonda.
Landscapes are evil, I can't wait to see you taking on them!

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Rhonda - looks like you have some really lovely spots to set up and paint outdoors...I will hope you get that 75 degrees soon. Take care and have a wonderful week.

Mrs A said...

Happy painting with your home scenes. I love the long shadows of early loaning and late in the afternoon too. Mrs A

Lorraine Brown said...

Certainly some lovely landscape material, sorry to hear about the neighbours light, takes me back a decade ago where we actually sold up to get away from same scenario

hw (hallie) farber said...

Your comment about the big house made me smile. I'd probably have to include that offensive light in a painting.

Autumn Leaves said...

You always have such a positive point of view in your art and I love that you seem to love teaching too. You leave me awed!

RH Carpenter said...

Come visit any time, Teresa!

Debbie, getting closer to 75 every day.

Thanks, Mrs. A and Lorraine. Yeah, it seems some people are very self-absorbed and don't think about such things. I may have to practice my slingshot!

Glad I made you smile, Hallie.

Thanks, Sherry :)

Unknown said...

Good reference photos, and nice 70's movie reference. "What we have here...is failyuh to communicate"....

RH Carpenter said...

Yep, perhaps I am my neighbor have a failure to communicate? Love that movie and watch it every single time it's on t.v. and I catch it. I even read the book a long time ago.

I keep thinking about Hallie's comment to put in the light in the painting - hmmm....might have to try that? Or a sign in my window saying, "Shut the damned light off, neighbor!!" ha ha