Ironically, the theme of my upcoming solo show is Painting In All Seasons... and today... I did just that! I painted in each of the four seasons in one painting session- a first for "Me"! HAHA!!Though it did take some getting used to in the beginning of the project... it is surprising how quickly the brain adjusts and allows one to shift without thinking actually between seasons... and in a single brushstroke to advance or retreat to another!
The trick is to keep walking back at regular intervals to survey the direction that you are working in. I do that always in my process either in the studio... or en plein air. That is highly evident when you see my painting location in winter... with its well-tramped pathway leading back about a dozen good paces. Remember that the painting is best viewed when completed from about the same distance. Moving up close reveals the "magic" if you will be between the "reality" seen 12 paces back... and the reality of the suggestions that create that distant perception.
The day began early and proceeded with only a quick break for lunch and a few shorter time outs to look things over and to give the back muscles a much needed rest! It went without a single hitch really... and I have been able to complete the second of the three horizontal planes... leaving only the foreground to be worked up... and that will come tomorrow I hope. I intend to elevate the whole project on saw horse to make the painting easier... and to spare my back any undue bending and twisting.
I think that you can clearly see the transition of the seasons moving from Spring on the left to Winter on the right. The transition is gentle between seasons... and each seems to flow into the next without being abrasive or jarring to the eye. I include a jpeg showing the mock up that I produced before actually starting the painting. I do so to illustrate clearly... that I "own" the process and canvas... NOT the other way round. I have attacked the project in the same manner that I paint en plein air. I can choose the outcome... and use what is in front of "Me"... merely as a starting point and guide. The final outcome... good... or bad... rests with "Me.
Hope that the project helps you with your own journey. Have fun! That's what painting should be all about! This one is for "Me"!
Stay tuned... for a further progress report tomorrow!
Good Painting to All!
Wow a daunting project...looking good Bruce!!
ReplyDeleteJeffrey
This works amazingly well, Bruce. What a great idea! It feels totally believable and there is nothing jarring between the panels. I look forward to seeing the final. How big is this? I sense it is quite large from
ReplyDeletegetting a glimpse of a palatte in the corner of the photo.
Hi Jeffrey! ... Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteIt is a large and dauntung project... but it has brought "Me" a lot of pleasure to see it underway. It's been a long time coming!
Loved your new snow pieces... nothing short of spectacular!... Both!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Karen!... Thanks for dropping by and for the encouraging comment!
ReplyDeleteIt is a large project... 6x9 feet... a lot of space to cover, but it's moving along well!Hope to have the lay in stage completed by the end of the weekend, so that the fun stuff... the finish work can start early next week.
Love your newest piece. Glad to see that you have it well underway! Good luck with it... I'll be checking in to see your progress on it!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Coming along oh so gorgeously, Bruce!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement Autumn!
ReplyDeleteI hope to have the full lay in done by the week's end... so that the "push n' pull fun and detail work ie verticals in an otherwise horizontal work can be worked on.
The balancing of hues,tones and values... and the "sprinkling" of little "colour surprises"carefully here and there... really will lift the piece into the next level I hope.
Stay tuned! Thanks for visiting and following the process. Hope that it helps you on jour own journey!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Very interesting... Good luck with this project and with the show.
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful painter.
I also like how you fixed up your blog.
Hi Marian!... Happy New Year! Thank "You" for dropping by and for your
ReplyDeletegenerous and gracious comments!
I hope that all goes well in your world and painting! I'll drop by to see what's up there! This project... along with Christmas has really taken me away from visiting Friend sites... such as yours!
Glad that this blog continues to catch your interest. Hope it encourages you to enjoy painting and to offer some ideas to add to your own already healthy artisitic arsenal!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce