Part 3, Project 2, Exercise: Building a picture

I really enjoyed these preparatory elements to building a completed painting. I think the time spent sketching and experimenting with the different elements allowed me space to consider carefully the different parts which go into making the whole landscape.

Initial sketch, pencil on paper

Sketching and colour experimentation with specific elements, bridge, reflection, bamboo

Sketching and experimentation with specific elements, reflection and pagoda (deciding on picture elements)

Composition and colour decisions

Although I will go on and post the completed painting separately its interesting to see that the course material suggests that as my preparation gets better and quicker I may eventually "dispense with this process altogether" which surprises me. I enjoyed the preparatory processes more than I enjoyed composing and completing the final painting. I think I felt happy to return to a preparatory mindset, as I am not altogether sure at the moment that I "enjoy" painting outside. Although I like the spontaniety of quick sketching and painting and the energy this creates I also enjoy the opportunity to look and consider and think, which I don't feel able to do outside.

The process of looking and looking again in this exercise certainly allowed me to consider my subject matter more carefully specifically it looked at the shape of the bridge and realised the reflection was deeper than the actual bridge, the shadows reflected in the water were actually brown/green not black, the clouds in the sky were reflected in the water, it was not just uniform blue.

Part 3 Project 1 Exercise: Subject Choices

I knew that the Japanese Gardens at Peasholm Park in Scarborough would be the ideal place to paint a range of views to carry out this exercise. Scarborough is somewhere close to our heart as it is where we married 18 months ago. We had some of our wedding photographs taken in Peasholm Park and as we visit Scarborough often its wonderful to see the changing colours and seasons there.

Miriam & Richard October 2011 Peasholm Park

The idea of choosing an naming a subject prior to painting it is one which really appealed to me, I am a person who turns words and phrases over in my head, so when I have been painting previously in this and my Textiles courses there is often a title forming in some way or another! I am a little concerned however about the painting outside aspect of this course. I am not sure it is for me, it feels as though I am rushing my paintings and that I do not necessarily have the time or situation to experiment more freely with the techniques taught and learned in the earlier parts of the course, such as washes, experimenting with other elements such as salt and bleach, cling film etc. I do accept though that this section is much more about painting the environment and learning skills to paint quickly and in the moment. 

Pigeon, Pagoda, Pond

Pigeon, Pagoda, Pond

I think I was drawn to the symmetry of this particular subject matter, I seem to have managed to find another setting incorporating water....perhaps I am drawn to the peace and tranquility of the scene.

Spring Pagoda

Spring Pagoda

For this painting the combination of the pagoda and the bamboo was what appealed to me, the interesting combination of the formal lines of the pagoda contrasted with the loose informality of the bamboo. When I look at this painting I am quite pleased with the success of the shadows which I feel I have been able to recreate. I also think the fast painting approach has ensured it has retained light and freshness as I have not laboured over the painting excessively.

Bluebells

Bluebels

This was the final painting of this particular painting session. I think I have taken a more free and less formal approach to this particular study. Not all of the paper has been covered and I like the way this painting has turned out as more of an impression of the scene rather than an accurate representation. I think at time that can be a hindrance for me, I try to ensure my painting look like the "thing" they are meant to be!

Overall I felt this was a valuable exercise, choosing a title meant I could focus on the subject of that title rather than try to include EVERYTHING I could see in my painting, I think this will be a sensible principle for me to refer back to as I continue with the landscape paintings a I am not sure they are really my forte yet.