Monday, August 02, 2021

shells

                             8x10

I have a few photos, somewhere, of all these whelk and conch shells on a dune fence. The light is so dramatic I always wanted to paint them. Made two attempts before this. I think I am getting closer: using a red-yellow-blue triad definitely has helped me get some subtleties without sacrificing color ... or so it seems to me.

5 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Looks good. There is something about the second version with that really dark underpost that was appealing - made it more abstracted to me. You are definitely getting there - you could try playing with other colors = something granulating, something mixed up and not realistic but playful? Just a suggestion since I know you will be doing these many times - I think you have a series started :)

laura said...

I like your ideas!
I liked what I had after the 1st session so much, because of that abstract or surreal quality, that I wasnt going to go on!

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

The middle photo put me in mind of Morandi watercolours where he just painted the shadows of bottles. Nothing else was needed they were minimalist and perfect. Your shell is the same - just colourful shadow describing the weight and form. Beautiful control.

laura said...

Thank you, Lisa. Morandi is one of my favorites! I haven't seen many of his watercolors but in them he often just paints the negative shape ... which I love

marnold said...

Lovely. The second one seems to exaggerate the play of shadows
which I like. I like the triad too.