Monday, March 09, 2009

monday class

After a two-week break in our Monday classes we were back today to try a simple still life. I brought my stargazer lilies, which had been trampled on in the car by my dog, Itchy; they were looking a little droopy.
Marie wanted us to do small value studies, trying to find a new composition each time. I found it difficult to come up with variations and, as usual, to use the full range of values.
It was a good exercise. When I took a Chinese brush painting class, we ground our ink prior to beginning to paint, which was not only practical, but acted as a kind of centering, a way of moving the brain somewhere else.

(11x15)
After the studies, there were only 20 minutes left in class to play around with some color. (11x15)
Posted by Picasa

9 comments:

Jennifer Lawson said...

Oh wow, I love the looseness of these. Value studies are great!

Annelein said...

The value studies are AMAZING! I just did some of those in an oil painting class...I love the way they look...so clean.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

The computer's eating my comments. I've actually tried three times.
What I said was I am proud of you for doing such a great job with the value studies. I got so tired of teachers talking about value (you can probably tell that from my work).

I also love the one you did when you
were allowed to go back to colour.

Barbara

A Brush with Color said...

Oh, Laura, these are beautiful. I'd frame those value studies, too! I just love them! And your final painting is amazing. Sounds like a great class! I should try what you said you did.

Anonymous said...

nice work!

Cathy Gatland said...

Gee, Laura, you go to some fabulous sounding classes. What do you grind to make ink!? These are just lovely - it's amazing the sense of light you can get with just values.

William Evertson said...

The value studies make a nice set. I always love the grinding of the ink when I'm working with sumi-e; most of the time better for my soul than the brushwork.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Laura! wow these are marvelous... love the negative positive shapes approach... really helps to make us see.. glad you reminded me!

Mineke Reinders said...

I love those value studies too, Laura. The light in them is wonderful.