When I set up to paint this time, I had three pieces of paper with me. I figured, if the boat was going to move around, I would be prepared. As it turned out, because the wind held us in one spot for a while, I was able to paint two pieces with the same view. The third one I will post another time.
The top photo is my second painting. In it, I zeroed in on what interested me most about this scene. It was the was the light that caught on the thin bits of moss on the tree and on the thin leaves of the underbrush. With all of the dramatic darks everywhere, it was the light that grabbed me. In the first piece, I paid homage to the pretty algae and lichen growth on the rocks, the shapes of the trees and the rocks, and the weird green water (near the Stikine River). I felt okay about this painting but I knew that I had backed away from what interested me most. In the second try, it was all about the light.
Since I don't know when I will be in Alaska again to paint, I want to make sure to paint what I see. Paint how I feel. Paint that peculiar light of 58 degrees north.
7 comments:
very pretty spot! I agree that the most important area of that painting is the "lightstruck" place. beautiful!
oops...that was me as you know...signed in on wrong account.
A smart woman always makes the most of her situation and you did! Three papers, love it? And you did paint that particular light of the most north! I can't wait to see how your Alaska work inspires your work in the studio.
I loved catching up on your last month's worth of work!
Safe travels back!
I love these pastels wish I could spend a few hours with you just learning how to capture light like you do.
I love the color of Glacial run off.
Wow--both of these are quite stunning in their own right..The darker painting very lush and evocative and the lighter--and light--glows almost like phosphorous--emphasizing the feel and atmousphere of a significant place and spirit in the land-quite like your paint application re backgrounds as well
Thanks so much for your comments! I am learning to have more flexibility (physical as well as mental) about plein air painting. There's a lot still to learn, but Ralph, any time you come to the US, I am happy to show you what I know!
It's impossible to predict the effect this trip will have on my work in the months ahead, but I think that travel always causes change. We'll see!
Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment! Kvan
Post a Comment