PAINTING FROM MEMORY AND PHOTO REFERENCES
Blue River Access 12 x 16 Oil
April 2, 2010
In my last blog, I was the instructor again, a role I love and work hard at. I used to teach 6th grade academics (math, history, English grammar, literature, creative writing and science) so when questions are asked, off I go in the teacher mode.
Perhaps, as I don’t hear any questions from the gallery, today I will explain more about how I choose a subject or photograph(s) for my next painting. I’ll also share with you something about my initial process from looking at subject matter to decisions as to what I want to accomplish. If you visit my Wet Paint page you will see sequential images of many paintings in progress. You might want to jump back and fourth as you read the blog to understand more clearly.
Okay, so I’m ready to begin the search for a new series or theme for my next paintings. If a theme hasn’t already been knocking about in my head, I begin by perusing photos – and let me tell you, I have thousands and thousands of photos in digital format and in 8 x 10 glossy prints. It’s a daunting task and takes hours and hours. It’s always better when a new theme presents itself while I am still painting in another – that is what usually happens if I listen.
Finally, I choose the theme (plein air is an altogether different animal) that seems to be pulling at me and I gather together a huge number of photos covering the theme. Hours are spent just looking and remembering, looking and remembering; then I begin to crop and re-crop, pull in other photos for reference, analyze color and values which are incorrect in the photographs and generally figure out what it is I want to ‘say’ or ‘portray’ in the painting or series. I can do some of this while I am cleaning up in the studio, finishing another painting, doing dishes, or writing my blog. The left brain keeps on working on the project in hand and the right brain silently visualizes the painting as I want it to look. Perusing photos takes lots of time and attention and takes both sides of my brain. Finally, I am ready to begin the layout of the painting on a surface. Sorry, but I use the surface as my sketchbook – I locate center (vaguely), sketch with thinned oil paint in a rusty hue, fill in some darks, wipe off most of what I have done, start again, repeat and finally feel satisfied with the composition and placement of large shapes. Sometimes this happens all of a sudden – in other words, I may be painting something else and suddenly I reach for a new canvas and begin my sketch right this minute. Obviously, the right brain has been at work. I seldom just move in and start the painting after the sketch is complete, instead I finish what I am working on, think some more about composition, color and value and then clean up from the last painting giving myself a clean, organized space to begin.
I’ve recently chosen to paint the Western Water of my fantasies, so here are some:
River Run 30 x 40 Oil
Early Start 12 x 24 Oil
I usually begin with the large dark shapes and thinly paint them in, then check my composition and move things around or change a large shape. In the above painting, I began with the bright backlit area – everything else was balanced and I knew I needed to key the painting to the light in order to really capture the moment. And here is where memory plays a huge part. If I don’t feel deeply connected to the scene through my memory of the place and time, I might as well not paint it – it will have no heart and soul.
When I am painting I allow my memory to return me to the experience and sometimes it becomes so real I can actually smell and hear the day unfold before me! Strange, but the excitement I am feeling helps me capture moment, then I can step back and check if I got it the way it feels. My left brain steps in regularly to remind me of technique, color, value, edges composition etc. and reminds me to wash brushes and clean off an area on the pallet so I don’t make mud. We have become good friends now and don’t mind each other’s back seat driving anymore!
Dusting of New Snow 12 x 24 Oil Finally finished this week!
Welcome Wilderness Trail 12 x 12 Oil
So now I have 6 finished (never really finished until I commit them to someplace other than my studio) one getting close and ….
Glacial Milk on the Blackfoot 11 x 14 Oil unfinished
…..As you probably already guessed, I just couldn’t paint water every day and this next scene had been haunting me for ages, so, between water paintings, I painted this one. Sometimes this kind of rebellion helps me return to the subject at hand – refreshed.
Written in the Bark 8 x 16 Oil
Thanks for joining me on this new venture into Western Water. Did you go back and forth to my Wet Paint page? If not you can do it now and see quite a few of these in process. I hope you enjoy the development of these paintings. Please let me know if you have questions!
Ciao!
Ginger
