Midnight Sun on the Deshka River, Alaska

[LarrySeiler]

This is 6"x 6"...and painted tonight for filming, for painting with gouache for my next Go To Meeting series, starting up in February...



and seen smaller...or from a bit back..

[RedEquus]

A real beauty. I am quite taken by your painting techniques and color, especially in the water. Love it.

Janice

[LarrySeiler]

thanks, Janice....

[Shirl Parker]

Brilliant

[LarrySeiler]

thanks, Shirl...

[dledmunds]

I absolutely love the colors in this painting! And your placement of the lights and dark's really create atmosphere.

[LarrySeiler]

Originally Posted by dledmunds

I absolutely love the colors in this painting! And your placement of the lights and dark's really create atmosphere.

Thanks Deb...

I think it helps that we all have a soft spot for sunsets.

I had a photography professor (back in the 70's) that threatened and carried out grades of "F" for anyone that took photos of young children. Arguing that you disconnect the ability for people to discuss the photos technically coming to see technical merits because of our connection emotionally to young children and images of such.

I'm sure...he would have similar sentiments for anyone painting or photographing sunsets. Certainly taking advantage...but, hopefully in that, we aim for merits of technical prowess and excellence...




peace

[fxoflight]

There's nothing wrong with painting sunsets or sunrises, or children or practically any subject, really. I would totally rebel against any person trying to tell me what I'm painting is an easy subject because people can connect with it easily. What a pile of nonsense.

I've heard this before about sunsets, being easy, and I would point out they are not easy. In fact, all subjects are equal depending on how you look at it. Paint patches of color, not things, and it starts to look like something we recognize. Apply this across the board to any subject and there's no easy way out, just beautiful paintings. And what's wrong with beauty?

I think when people talk about sunsets being easy they really mean they can't do them well and they decide to paint something uglier, or less recognizable so that they can say they're more innovative and artistic. I don't buy it.

Great painting.

Cheers,
-fxoflight

[LarrySeiler]

Originally Posted by fxoflight

There's nothing wrong with painting sunsets or sunrises, or children or practically any subject, really. I would totally rebel against any person trying to tell me what I'm painting is an easy subject because people can connect with it easily. What a pile of nonsense.
-fxoflight

thanks..
I understand his point...perhaps with photography, at a beginning class where composition, focal points, aperatures and focus are foundational issues...

What would be ideal...is someone painting a sunset and it is good on many levels...a painting of a child in a highchair, first birthday and chocolate cake all over the face if again good on every level, composition...edges, paint application, color, rhythm...cohesive unity...etc. etc.,

I think what he was getting at...was we as yet had not proven ourselves (in his opinion) to understand the technical merits of what made good photos. Just as I oft say, "paintings work for reasons paintings work"....and a bad painting doesn't work just because we like the subject, and in fact...there is a lot of poor paintings executed, for that very reason..

so, I muse...and smile, wondering what his response would be. What we all wish to create however, on a totally level is personal..and one's privilege!

[Deborah Secor]

I had a teacher in high school who wouldn't allow us to paint sunsets, horses or cars. It was a simple case of overexposure, I'm sure (knowing teenagers), but it did cast a pall on those subjects for years. I now paint sunsets gleefully, and find them an inspiring challenge. You've really gone to heights on this one, Larry--color, contrast, composition and application!

Now, will the February class teach us how you use gouache??? Looking forward to it!

[LarrySeiler]

thanks Deborah..

yes...February (starting about mid-February)...will be on wet media...the first four sessions on gouache...one, an instudio video step by step of this work here, the midnight sun of Deshka river...lasting two sessions. Then a session painting a plein air outdoors with gouache in winter, using glycerin to prevent freezing (how to dresss, etc); planning on one session using gouache to paint portraits...then the last sessions on my method of painstaking detail with acrylics versus my switch to painterly use of it, and a segment on my use of watercolor for sketching, studies...

[karenlee]

Awesome painting. I am looking forward to your series.

[LarrySeiler]

thanks karenlee...

[DKB444]

Larry, I am really looking forward to this. Also, I've enjoyed the banter about our art teachers and professors. Thank goodness, we weren't permanently damaged in their "attempts", for a better word! You are showing so well how awesome gouache is and can be! Thanks in advance.

[LarrySeiler]

I'm sure the wet media focus will appeal to more a select group than a broader attendance related to fundamentals...but, I believe it will prove a good series...

Looking forward to it Debra...

Larry