Our Oro-Medonte region is literally littered with swamps, creeks, streams, lakes and rivers a part of the Canadian Shield geological region which stretches across most of Ontario. One never has to venture far to find suitable subject matter for a good landscape. This particular subject is less than 10 minutes away from the Gallery. I have passed it by on many occasions in all seasons... but on this particular morning everything seemed right to give it a go.Winter light and shadows reveals new "magic"... and really adds drama... isolating previously hidden passages for the searching eye.
The actual composition is a bit frenetic and complicated... not the usual thing one looks for in an outdoor session. I knew that there would be a lot of small, fussy shapes and spaces to deal with... sort of like a jigsaw puzzle. But... Hey!...Who doesn't enjoy sitting down once in a while for a few hours of such "puzzlin'" fun.... with a thousand or more pieces strewn out on a large table?
I liken the painting to exactly the same kind of leisure pastime... Focus!Focus!.... Search!.... Play... and look for similar passages of line or colours. That's sort of how the exercise unfolded... and how the final image emerged. Hooking onto certain elements... pushing others into place to create a new whole.
"I" do like the final outcome. It's definitely a bit on the tight side... but I really like the colour harmony and the warmth in the piece. I enjoyed the day... and learned a little more about perseverance! A good lesson for us all in our daily lives.
Keep the Faith... and do what "You" feel and love!
Good Painting to all!
Bruce
excelent bruce
ReplyDeletelike you took that complicated landscape scene and smacked it on the canvas...its alive!!
Thank "You" Rene.... for visiting and for leaving this nice compliment!In revisiting your site... this piece of mine and your lovely snow on the fir trees share a very striking similarity of light and colour... don't you think! Winter's a great time to get "out there"!
ReplyDeleteGood Painting my Friend!
Warm regards,
Bruce
Rob!.... My apologies for mistakening calling you "Rene"... again. The above comment awas for "R"..... of Wales... and not "R" of the Netherlands...HAHA!!Still groggy this morning... excusez-moi!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Bruce
Bruce! This is just down right fun to look at!
ReplyDeleteYou really love what you paint, as I can feel the enjoyment of the intricacies, like a jig saw puzzle.
My wife just happend to start a puzzle about a week ago, she loves it!
The colors, and brushstrokes are like hiking
into this Tanglewood. I'm there, sights, sounds.. beautiful!
Thanks Bill!... It was a great bit of fun painting this one... but you hit on the main enjoyment.The sights... sounds of the water running... the bird songs and snow dropping off branches... collectively heighten the joy and pleasure of being... "out there"!
ReplyDeleteHey! Maybe I should have this image made into a puzzle? HAHA!!... Just pullin' yer leg!
Good painting my Friend!
Warm regards,
Bruce
I admire your perseverance Bruce. I feel I want to push through all that tangle to get to the depths of the woodland.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the piece Keith! Pushing through all of the tangle and deadfall material was the challenge and goal of whole the exercise.
ReplyDeleteUsing the both the negative and positive shapes and spaces to this end was truly like "puzzling".... feeling your way towards an eventual arrival in the woodland clearing beyond.
The stream served as a pathway to penetrate the maze.
I really enjoyed the process... well worth the bit of struggle!
Good Painting! Thanks for visiting and your comments!
Warm regards,
Bruce
Just beautiful, Bruce...
ReplyDeleteI really need to learn how to take a complicated scene and make it beautiful and just so "real" as you have done.... WOW.
Thank "You" Marian for visiting and for your encouraging comments.I'll look forward to doing a project in a future post... from start to finish to perhaps help fellow artists understand how I approach such a challenge.
ReplyDeleteLooking for shifts between seeking positive and negative perspectives is perhaps my main strategy. Too many times we look at using line... or simply "mapping" to plan and execute most of our efforts.
I try to "shuffle the deck" and approach my planning using multiple strategies ie blocking in colour shapes and values...positive vs negative... to lay in.Not only does it reduce boredom and eliminate a "systematice-style" production... it makes one "think outside of the box"... and grow technically.Hope that might add something to your own thinking and methods... for now!
Good painting... and warm regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, Thanks for leaving your positive comments on my painting (about 4 weeks ago). I must return the compliment and say I've much enjoyed looking at yours.You are a fine colourist, having just noticed the tree in the snow from a 27yr old drawing. If you can work like that it gives you great scope; something I should try.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the Bach too, I'm just
about to re-list that piece so it is near the top of my page. In fact one could drop in links to other music here and there, to add to the viewing experience.
I'll set you up as a follower/favorite as well.
Keep up your good work.
Andrew Taylor