Monday, March 24, 2008

Loose isn't easy!
















I did that experiment today! I had six small pears on the go. One is worth posting. It's not too shabby - loose like I wanted, though still not loose enough. But for me, this is loose. I need a lot of work on this. Maybe tomorrow night after work, I'll try something else like this!

The photograph is from Ivyleaf at Wet Canvas - taken from the Wet Canvas Reference Image Library.

Thanks very much to Don West for the suggestions!!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb,
Thanks for keeping me posted :-)
The pears look great! Great shadow and shape rendering. How long to do it?

The onions and pepper painting looks really good to me. I know you don't like it but that is usually the case when one is trying to loosen their style. The looseness is so unnatural that we tend to feel everything is "messed up".
But to me, the painting has a very nice glow and aged look to it. The background is very painterly and loose and free.

Perhaps a background like that for the pears? Using dark, rich colors? Paint really dark from the get go with practically pure color. Just wet enough to flow without looking dry brushed. Slap it on there and drag it around :-)

You're doing great! I bet the ones you tossed are good too ;-)

Consider looser edges on the objects. Referred to as "lost and found" edges. This helps to unify the free background with the objects. A bit more difficult to "get" but it will come.

Keep going! You are making good paintings.

Regarding the pears, try them wet in wet with heavy color. Place the base color, then stroke in the shadows with single heavy strokes. Let them flow where they will. Don't tinker with them. Execute well placed strokes and let them mingle. If you err and cover the highlights, simply add them with white gouache at the end of the painting, keeping them loose as well.

Good luck! I'll keep checking in this week to see how you're doing. Don't be afraid to post them ;-)

Ann Buckner said...

Good work on the pears Deb. I had to double check to see if it was a photo.

I enjoyed reading Mr. West's helpful comments too. How neat and thoughtful of him.

Deb Léger said...

Hi Don,

Thanks (again!) very much for the helpful information you've provided! I'm going to work on some more pears tonight and will use your suggestions.

Yes, that looseness is really unnatural! I can't believe how difficult it is to paint loose.

I'll post a photo I took of all the pears on my painting table. lol.

Off to make a few more comments, then to more pears!

Thanks again for your help and suggestions!

Deb

Deb Léger said...

Hi Ann,

Thanks for the comment on the pears. Coming from someone who paints such awesome pears, that's a great compliment.

Yes, it's extrememly thoughtful of him!!!

Deb

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb,
girl all the work you put on all those pears paid good results! these 3 really look terrific and your control of light color and texture makes it look completely real, you rock!

Teresa :)

Deb Léger said...

Thanks Teresa! We miss you! Hope everything's going well for you.