I began by spritzing water on the paper, then with a palette knife, I touched in masking fluid. When that dried, I began putting in light yellows and greens.
This is from my imagination - what trees look like, thinking about light and shadow.
The masking fluid was removed after I got a nice coverage of the pales and mid-tone yellows and greens. I I put in the tree trunks and branches with a touch of Lunar Earth and Burnt Umber here and there (trying not to be heavy-handed) with a very small round brush, adding a little reddish brown to spice up all that green.
Then I let the painting sit a while (walking away from something and letting it be for a while helps me see better and lets me keep from getting into a groove of just adding paint, dabbing off paint, adding paint, ad nauseum).
And what did it need? Some darks here and there and bit more pop in the red/browns, I think....
Could it be? Could it be that I have landscapes in my mind that can come out like this?
I am very pleased with this one and it's completely from my mind (no photo reference, no painting in front of me to copy and study!
Very interesting for me to be able to do this as I've always said I couldn't do a painting from just a picture in my mind - and, honestly, I didn't. There was no picture in my mind when I started this - just marks on paper that became colors and then shadows and light.
24 comments:
You are making wonderful progress Rhonda. As you know, I admire your drive and determination to grow in your art.
This is wonderful!
xoxo
Although I think you could have done this without the masking fluid, the results are superb! beautiful beautiful little landscape!
Thanks, Ann :) I feel the same way about you, always learning and experimenting and growing!
Vicki, thanks for stopping by and commenting :) I'll have to check to see if you have a blog!
Mimi, I was trying a technique from the MacKenzie book where he spritzed the paper and then put down masking fluid with a palette knife (he used his for weeds and flowers) - it made the trunks a bit more open and easier (for me) to fill in after the masking fluid was off.
Not bad--I like this approach! Kind of like growing your own vegetables isn't it? I really like that drawing in reverse thing. Leaves an interesting mark.
That came out wonderful, Rhonda. Look forward to seeing more from you.
Miz Tenacious! Rhonda, I am blown away by your tenacity. I know if I did all you do to expand your repertoire of painting skills, I would be a better painter. Rock on!
I am not a fan of masking, but, like you, I think it's a good idea to try what others are doing to see what more I can do.
Keep up the good work!
Fantastic!
You should be pleased! This one is a winner for sure-i loved reading the process and my heart jumped at the 2nd image with anticipation of what was to come-and i wasn't disappointed! brilliant! I really like the small intimate sketchbook format as well-
Bill, it is like growing vegetables - a little bit here and there, a little weeding out, and then boom - too many squash to get rid of! ha ha
Thanks so much for your positive comments, Carol, Dee, Suzanne and Jan!
Very ethereal - I even like the mid-stage painting. You always have such fun with paint!
Rhonda you did it! this is beautiful the second image has a fresh almost luminous look which I believe is a good base for you to put the next stage in. The result is a layer of lovely greens full of light and life.
Nice work.
Really well done, Rhonda! Yes, you are a determined lady who learns with every painting!
Thanks so much, Gillian, Caroline, Hallie and Christiane. I can't believe I got so many comments on this little bit of paper and paint but am very happy that everyone took the time to comment on it :)
Very, very nice Rhonda. I really like what you have done; this is a wonderful creative piece.
http://www.lindayoungwatercolors.blogspot.com
I think this is just beautiful!
Thanks so much, Linda and Autumn!
you sound pleased with this one rhonda ...study below is beautiful too.
Thanks, Jane, I was happy with this one :) The first that was truly from my mind and not a "copy" of something from the book.
love the marks/greens!
Thanks so much, Celeste!
This is really beautiful. I love the softness you've achieved in your trees. I always have trouble with trees. They tend to look the same way they did when I was painting them in 3rd grade.
Thank you, Nancy. I've struggled with greens and trees and am trying to learn to relax and let them come to me - this is the first one where that happened successfully but I'm still working! ha ha
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