Monday, August 25, 2008

little dune studies

(4 4x6s)
The little studies. I propped the board with the photos up about 6 feet away from where I was painting, but my hand still insisted on adding little dabs.
I'm not including closeups because these really do better from farther away--up close they're labored-looking: and I did spend too much time on them, pecking away.
I think I may have been able to move on sooner--in time!--if I had been happy with the dark green--I just wasn't able to get a color that I liked! And, even from far away (didn't take into account that I'm farsighted!) I obssessed a bit over the details, or rather over trying to get that sense of small grass-topped drifts staggering away.
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5 comments:

Suzanne McDermott said...

These are great! As you know, one of the biggies is knowing when to stop. But we can also be a little too self-critical...

laura said...

Thanks, Suzanne--of course, you're right! Knowing when to stop is key. Looking again, I think the problem here is I didn't let the colors flow and pushed them around too much, like a bully! :-) Have to let them be.

Mineke Reinders said...

Yes, you have to let the colors be, but let yourself be too! This does not look labored to me, in fact it's very fresh. I love especially the second one from top, where the white of the paper plays a key role, supported by those pale, subtle washes, and punctuated by the juicy darks. Really lovely!

Cathy Gatland said...

Not labored-looking at all - quite lovely, (but I know that pecking away syndrome well!)I agree - the second one is my favourite. Dark green is so difficult - I'm battling with it too - only halfway through my landscape and already it's overworked.

A Brush with Color said...

Oh, I think these turned out BEAUTIFULLY! I really love them. I don't think they look labored at all. they're stunning. Could you frame them in one frame with mats cut around them? Really fun watching these develop. Excellent!