Painting Greece

this is another test post… having trouble getting the images to upload. Still working on this one.

Oil on canvas paper

I feel good about this one. There is much to be improved upon but I did accomplish what I set out to do and that was a complete alla prima painting in one sitting. The work I have been doing these past few weeks on value have really paid off. I come to my painting now with altered eye and this is the reason I was able to do this little painting.

If anybody wants to learn anything I highly suggest that you periodically go back to the basics, especially if you think you already know them inside out. Thing is, every time you move forward your vision expands. Even though you know the basics already, you can’t help but see them from a new angle and so you understand them on a deeper level.

And feel free to use this metaphor in all areas of your life. Relationships, for instance…. how many of you go back to basics after years of being with someone? Certainly not me, but I’m willing to bet that if I did… or when I do I will see things again in a new, refreshing light…

Be well…..

Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that somehow my blog here acted up and I couldn’t fix it (having two left thumbs when it comes to computers) so I’m trying out new themes to see which one hits home with me.

In the meantime I continue to paint and study painting daily. At the moment I am stepping back and re-learning some basics such as the pivotal role of value/tone in painting plein air. Plein air is a challenge for me and the other day I went out into the sunshine to paint olive trees while my girls climbed on them. I think I painted the worse painting ever.

That is a good sign though. There was something I needed to adjust in my work and so I am going back to basics and painting grey-scale cubes and eggs under various light conditions. I am determined to “get it” with plein air landscapes (seascapes are so much easier for me). It’s the jumble of earthy tones (middle values) of the trees and wild brush and grasses filling in the spaces that I fail to interpret in a way that works in a painting.

On my easel I have a portrait of a monk (aside from the grey-scale eggs). I am searching for a different perspective… a new way of seeing the landscape… of seeing in general. In stepping back and building up my toolbox I am certain this new door will open…

Be well…..