Saturday, January 15, 2011

Foreground Sweep... Lay In's Near Completion



Day #5-Friday, January 14th

I raised the whole canvas about 2 feet and set to work working up the lay in right-to-left across the entire foreground. I felt that Winter and Fall at this point lacked a "presence" as strongly painted as the other two... and to maintain the soft gradation and tradition between the seasons... these other two had to "speak" out more clearly.

I worked quickly... washing in flat washes of diluted colour for the snow and fall foliage... paying absolutely no attention to any other purpose than to reduced the "blackness of the toned canvas. I did... however "reserve certain locations of black where I was still uncertain of the outcome I wished.(much as is the case in working a watercolour... when one reserves the white of the paper).

My next task was to add some variations in light and shadow in the snow passages... but lightly... just to infer where interest might be later on. At this point I also made some decisions and started thinking about how later vertical elements would come into play... and effect the horizontal feel already established.

My attention then was directed towards establishing colour and pattern possibilities in the foreground water... which occupies a very central part of the foreground space. I added some basic ideas for bull rushes... lily pads... shoreline ice and brush. Those elements were key to the process of "marrying" the seasons through acknowledging the slight changes in them from season to season.

I am going to take a breather over the weekend to be fully with family... but i will certainly be looking and evaluating my strategies for making the final assault on finishing the project next week. I am well on the way to "seeing" the final image already in my brain... on the canvas. As I said earlier... years of early thought and planning combined with decades of seeing this scene in all seasons makes the process not necessarily easier...but more "imaginable." The term I used way back... "Imagineering" is the act of creating from "Within"... a collage of what is first looked at... then "seen"... then felt... and finally brought into reality. The "impression" then is the embodiment of visual... spiritual and tactile responses to the outdoor experience!

Have a great weekend! More to report next week! Thank "You"... for checking in!

Good Painting to ALL!

10 comments:

  1. Hi Bruce, This is quite a challenging work and it is coming along so well! I am not sure how much is the result of photography conditions for you when posting this image, but it seems to me that some of the foreground and even a bit into middle ground needs more punch and perhaps detail. I would like to feel really pulled into the image and that the background goes WAY back. In any case, I am sure you will resolve it all wonderfully and I am looking forward to the finished painting!

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  2. Hi there Karen!... Thanks for the valuable input and for your suggestions!

    Your remark regarding photographic conditions is the main culprit in this matter. The whole piece is tilted away... towards the wall behind and therefore creates glare and flat and unfinished appearing areas ... as you mentioned.

    However... keep in mind. As is the case in your own work process... this piece is still at a lay in in stage... minus all of the necessary details and shifts in tone and value... just like your skin tones.

    Next week, I will be doing lots of glazing then "icing the cake" with bravura and impasto effects to create texture and areas of interest. Stay tuned... your wishes shall come to be!....I hope!

    Thanks for the good suggestions and observations. They keep a guy on his toes! HAHA!!!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. There is just something about that "blackness" on the bottom that I like...maybe as it ties it all into a cohesive piece? I don't know what I'm talking about though, I s'pose. LOL It surely is one gorgeous piece of art, Bruce!

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  4. Hi again Autumn (Sherry)!.... Thanks for the visit and the continued encouraging observations and comments!

    "You" are entirely correct about the power of the blackness... even though in this particular case... it tends to overwhelm the rest of the painting.

    I choose to often use the black as an under tone... simply because it does have that impact with every stroke you put on the canvas that is lighter.In the beginning stages of the painting process the experience is a kin to painting in a dark closet... or turning on the Christmas tree lights in a very darkened room. The effect is dazzling to the eye visually!

    I hope to bring the process to a close towards the end of this next week. Hope that it lives up to..."Gorgeous"... your complimentary word... at closing time!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  5. breathtaking!!! the scale of this is just amazing and incredibly well done, it's just beautiful!

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  6. Hi Suzanne!... Thank "You" for visiting... and for your encouraging comments!

    The scale is certainly very large... but no larger than the very strong feelings "I" have for this particular part of the Park. It has been the painting and meeting place for so very many friends over the year... and though some are now gone... their presence still is with "Me" when there! It is a special place!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. What an inspiring painting and to view the incredible journey! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Who says artists work alone!

    There is something intoxicating about being before a large painting well done as well. Great going!~

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  8. Hi Candy!... Welcome to my blog! Thank "You" so much for your visit... and for the supportive comments!

    We work alone out of necessity at times to remain focussed and to develop self-discipline. But we wither completely... if we choose not to open our Selves to the possibility to learn alongside others who share our passion and our journey!

    Thank "You"... for choosing to share!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Bruce, it is breathtaking! Enjoy your well deserved weekend with your family.

    All the best to you.

    Joan

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  10. Thanks Joan!... I really am looking forward to the weekend with family... which also means that I can survey the piece as I wish... looking for "odds n' sods" that need adjusting... and also to determine the next plan of attack for Monday!


    Have a great weekend as well Joan!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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