Homework Thread: Painting Buildings in the Landscape Loosely and Colorfully

[virgil carter]

Maribeth, nothing wrong with "circus colors". Look at Bonnard and Van Gogh!

Point is, color is an extremely powerful tool for expressing ideas, moods and emotions. The natural tendency of many folks is to pick warm, happy colors because, well...they're warm and happy! But there are other expressive ideas, moods and emotions that are intriguing and compelling as well.

That brings us to the idea of painting with intent, ie, what is one's intent for a painting? With intent clearly in mind, content and technique follow. But that's another tutorial entirely! I'm working on that one for later this year.

So much to explore and so little time...isn't painting great?

Sling paint!
Virgil

[kayakartist]

Virgil...you are right...nothing wrong with 'circus colors' & I do love them!

Painting with intent turtorial is great idea...I'm in!

Maribeth

[silvermoss]

Great painting Maribeth. All that preparation paid off.

[kayakartist]

Hi Virgil, Here is my sketch of empire state bldg scene...chose this one because I have been there (a long time ago) and have never experienced switzerland. Moved things around a tiny bit & added a foreground bldg. What do you think?

[virgil carter]

Maribeth, this is a fine sketch; good perspective, composition and values. My only suggestion might be to consider just a bit more varigated values in the sky, ie, lighter to the left in the direction of the sun and darker to the right of the Empire State in the upper sky portions (lighter values approaching the ground plane).

Assuming the Empire State is the COI, don't add too much detail to the other building facades; treat them as shapes and pull the attention to the COI.

Paint and post!
Virgil

[kayakartist]

Thanks Virgil...Good tip on sky...originally tried a cloud in back of emp. st. bldg, but didn't like that. Didn't think of light to dark...that should look good. So much to learn...so little time! Looking forward to painting this one...love urban scenes!

Maribeth

[kayakartist]

Thanks Silvermoss...appreciate your input!

[kayakartist]

Good morning Virgil,
Here are my color sketches & painting for empire state bldg. I settled on this one because I was imagining that I am walking on the street completely enshrouded by the shadows of the tall buildings...I look up in front of me & all I can see...& can't take my eyes off of...is the empire state bldg...just glowing from the sun like a bar of gold. A lot to ask for... but thought this color scheme captured it the best. It probably needs something, but I don't know quite what, so quit while I was ahead...




Thanks, Maribeth

[virgil carter]

Whoa, Maribeth! Now there's a painting not to be ignored! Well done.

The learning objective for the lesson were placing buildings in an urban setting and illumination. You have certainly dealt with both. Your composition of multiple buildings in an urban setting is very well done, I think.

There is a clear and obvious area of interest and everything else is obviously secondary and supportive. Your use of lighting is also well done, with varigated illuminated surfaces on the Empire State and interesting, but not dominating secondary areas. You have also incorporated a strong play of illuminated and shaded surfaces, with reflections playing a role to add interest.

Perhaps most striking is the expressive and personal approach to shapes and color. You have semi-flattened most shapes, and used them for your highly personal color choices based on a sense of illumination to unify the painting. Very expressive, and very unique. A strong, personal work--congratulations.

My only suggestion for a future painting might be to consider softening some edges to provide a bit more movement and variety to your shapes, as opposed to all hard-edged shapes. Only a small thought!

Well done, Maribeth!

Now...what did you learn from this lesson and painting?

Sling paint!
Virgil

[kayakartist]

Thank you, Virgil...

I learned a great deal from this painting, I think...

I tried to keep in mind what I was trying to say & remember my COI throughout the painting process (I have a tendency to get involved in whatever part of the painting I am working on & keep putting in details until everything is a COI...for instance, I like the building with the scalloped top & in the past would have focused on that too much). Kept in mind what you said about buildings being recognizable as buildings just by their shape alone.

Strived for more color unity...underpainted everything except COI a pale blue first & stayed close together on color wheel...really liked that effect.

Mostly, I convinced myself that simple can be beautiful...tried to break scene down to basic shapes & kept drawing very simplistic...almost embarrassed at how easy it was to sketch & paint..I usually make everything SO HARD and picky!

Also, I decided to trust my instincts & just painted what I liked and felt good to me. Put away photo after first sketch & went on imagination after that.

Will pay more attention to edges on next painting...usually when I use a soft edge I'll go in at the last minute & sharpen it up...have to try to resist that!

Thanks again...you are incredibly generous with your time & have helped me so much!

Maribeth

Here are my color sketches...somehow dropped off when I uploaded them before:

[virgil carter]

Maribeth, excellent learning points. Thanks for posting. I'm sure they will help others who read the thread.

Your studies are beautiful, and would make an interesting framed painting, or even additional paintings for a series to go with your first painting.

Again, well done!
Sling paint!
Virgil

[kayakartist]

Hi Virgil,

Here is my value sketch for lesson 5...chose this photo because I have always wanted to visit France & chances are that I'm not going to make it there...in this lifetime anyway! Did some cropping & the plan is to have the COI (figures) highlighted by illumination on building. Very beautiful photo, by the way.

Working on my income tax & kind of 'brain dead'...need all the help I can get!

Thanks, Maribeth

[virgil carter]

Maribeth, your sketch's composition and perspective are well done. Congratulations!

In your painting, what would you think about more middle and mid-dark values in the foreground shapes and steps?

Keep in mind the direction from which the light is coming, and how that creates shade, shadows and reflections. Keep painting!

sling paint!
Virgil

[kayakartist]

Thanks for looking at sketch so quickly. Yes...agree about darker values in foreground...looking forward to painting!

[kayakartist]

Hi Virgil, Here are my color sketches & painting for lesson 5. I don't know if this is finished or not, but I have run out of steam on it! Thanks for looking at it...

Maribeth