Garlic n Onion- Incidental

[LarrySeiler]

4-1/2" x 6" oil on canvas adhered board

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_onionwc2.jpg

here were the steps and thoughts along the way today...

first the reference, seeing what I was seeing of the subject sitting in my light environment box...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_onionref.jpg

I decided to tone my panel first with what I anticipated would be opposite colors, complementary and help create some energy, excitement...using turps some blue, some viridian...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_oniontone.jpg

It took awhile getting into this painting before I began to believe I had made the right or workable decision in the tone's color. Just how much to allow to be seen poking thru in the background as I built it up, how much to be seen in the shadow. It can go one way or the other..

...here I am blocking in, and beginning to dab in some background color..

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_onionblockin.jpg

more along the way...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_onion4.jpg

and finished...here then a closeup view...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Jan-2006/532-garlic_onioncloseupwc.jpg

If you look along contours of the onion and various places in daks, shading, edges I have allowed a certain degree of the original undertone to be seen.

I suppose its a bit like Cezanne's use of complements around his still life objects...though I believe his were painted in and not part of any undertone.

Where rounded edges are concerned, I like to soften or obscure to give a sense of going back into space. I think allowing the undertone to contribute to the contour yet obscures the rounded form/edges...but perhaps with a bit of excitement.

Thanks for looking and comments....

Larry

[onefinepint]

Wonderful, as usual! Thanks for giving the process photos as well. I noticed that you have a piece of cardboard taped on the front of your "environment box" so it blocks the light bulb. Is that to keep it from shinning in your face or to cause the light to reflect back on your subject? Neat setup.

[Dublinah]

what would the world be without garlic & onions...?
I really like the effect created by the undertone.
the highlights on each are great

[LarrySeiler]

Wonderful, as usual! Thanks for giving the process photos as well. I noticed that you have a piece of cardboard taped on the front of your "environment box" so it blocks the light bulb. Is that to keep it from shinning in your face or to cause the light to reflect back on your subject? Neat setup.

actually...it serves both purposes. The glare from the light would make it hard to judge color with its presence shouting at my eye...and yes, it does reflect some light back to the subject.

good observation...

thanks for your kind regards!

[LarrySeiler]

thanks Dublinah...yep the stuff of fine cuisine and cookery!

[Tripod]

Thanks Larry, once again. I have to get down to a still life (first ever) for a competition mandatory entry so will probably pinch your box design, patent it and flog for vast amounts of money over here.

[LarrySeiler]

hahaa...

why not..?

Around these forums use of the word "ah-HAH!" has been taken over, something I used years ago to coin that moment when the essentials needed to make a painting work is nailed, and the artist's response. It is the thing to work for...so then many were talking about pursuing "the ah-HAH!"

Now its "incidentals"...and you might as well do something with my box! :D

Seriously though...one has to learn not to take themselves too serious. I've gone thru some very difficult hard lessons and times....almost losing a home to foreclosure because one shirt company I had done 36 images for owed me about $125,000...shortly before an agent stole an original and made 5,000 prints without permission to the tune of another $95,000....and one other I won't bother going into. Suffice it to say...I've suffered losses of about $250,000 which is hard to recover from. Its a big reason I am now in the classroom each day teaching and getting a regular paycheck.

Oh well...but, you do have to learn to laugh again...get over yourself and move on!

It would make a stinkin' pretty cool manufactured professionally artist's stilllife setting up device though!

I'll look for it in a year or two on Cheap Joe's Art, or Dick Blick!!! hahahaa

Let's see...what can I work on next? Hhmmmmmm....

peace

Larry

[Tripod]

Thanks for your blessing, you poor, hard done by outdoor man. I'll cut you in for a few centimes here and there.

[LarrySeiler]

hahaha...
greatest flattery I suppose is imitation, no?
all in jest Derek...no downcast spirit here... :)
Life has its moments for all of us, and the good news is we can learn and grow from it, and hopefully our works produce are richer for it.

now wouldn't a good thing to have imitated be an infestation of uppity schnuppity life carefreeness! This silly simple anything can be a subject to paint things sorta help me work toward that :D

Larr

[Tripod]

Yeah Larry, seriously you have had a rough time. I have had a mere smidgeon of your catalogue of misfortunes, nothing to do with painting, but it's not nice when the bank wants your home. That's why I went to the middle east in the 80's to earn big bucks fast and tax free.

Your list is indeed frightening but it seems you're over it now and working to put it all behind you.

Good luck and all the breast

[LarrySeiler]

thanks Derek...appreciated.

I'm sure we could write a book on just "beware's!" for many a youngster to gain wisdom from!

Yeah...its behind...I mention it sometimes to humble those that dream the clouds. Good to dream, but keep a bit of lead weight for one's shoe soles to stay firmly grounded. hee heee

[Rosic]

Larry... I don't know how I missed this earlier. I really enjoyed watching the evolution of this one as it came to life.
Bernie

[LarrySeiler]

thanks Bernie...
the satisfaction is putting near 27 years of painting behind as one feels there is yet so much to explore and learn. To be an adult, and yet feel like a child in a new and wondrous world! I hope the excitement I am experiencing encourages others that have not been locked into who they are as long as I was, to give it a real go...let go, have fun, see what's to be seen.

[Rosic]

thanks Bernie...
I hope the excitement I am experiencing encourages others that have not been locked into who they are as long as I was, to give it a real go...let go, have fun, see what's to be seen.
The excitement is working with me Larry!:clap: