April Landscape Challenge 2012 - Page 8

mek42 · #**106** 04-24-2012, 03:20 AM

I enjoy looking at the artworks in this thread, but suspect that I would be unhappy had I been the one to produce them. At any rate, I made a quick sketch with Acrylic, trying a few different ways of applying the paint, mostly watered down, but brushing some heavy body on and the white waterfalls I played with a knife

I'm very inexperienced at fine art painting and maybe do one work every two or three years and then give in to the "I suck" voice. Anyhow, I'm taking you at your welcoming word to just do something

So, this is loosely based on the top of the two waterfall references. Golden acrylics on gessoed plywood. Size is about 1 2/3" by 2 1/2".

April_2012_WC_landscape_challenge by mek42, on Flickr

So, trying to ignore that "I suck" voice, I'm focusing on what I learned. First, I tried painting in my values using brown, but I made the brown with Napthol Red with a touch of Carbon Black. This mixing actually worked well - I'm new to mixing too, so this was a success. Also, I don't think my attempt sucks so bad if I look at it from farther away than right on top.

You know, a discussion on what I learned is probably better in a thread in Acrylics so as not to go beyond the scope of this thread.

Wow, it is really hard deciding to click the "Submit Reply" button, so I'm just going to do it before I change my mind. Hope I haven't used too many words for such a small painting.

meggs · #**107** 04-24-2012, 03:46 AM

Struth Mek another abstracter... you guys are going to send me off the deep end...
No in all seriousness, Welcome and so glad you posted. There isnt a painter or artist alive who looks at his work and is happy with it, I dont think... but thats what makes us keep at it and improving. I think the BIG thing is enjoying the flow of creativity within us...

As a abstract viewer, I cant see the trees for the forest, but.... I can see its a waterfall. I like your angular lines and find it a very interesting painting.... So hope you participate in the forum more and more..

mek42 · #**108** 04-24-2012, 04:35 AM

Thank you for the kind words Meggs. I came back to see if there was a reply before going to bed and your words do help with the self-consciousness feeling.

I also noticed that my sketch doesn't clearly demarcate that top horizontal bit where the water comes from. So I looked at the reference again. I even copied it into Photoshop to look at it in B&W. There is a little white / higher-value line that marks the edge, isn't there? The top is a little higher value than the vertical drop, but that edge is higher value yet.

Am I seeing this right? (I've recently taken up dSLR photography and it seems like I'm learning to see for the first time.)

Speaking of seeing, I like the circular skies in frujin's work. They add a great deal of visual interest - almost distracting, but not crossing the line. My eyes want to "live" in the bottom blue river, but are then drawn to the circular skies. By moving between the two I am forced to take in the whole of the painting.

Rastermon · #**109** 04-24-2012, 12:44 PM

You go mek42! Ignoring those negative voices will get you everywhere. Keep at it, experiment, and express yourself.

Rastermon · #**110** 04-24-2012, 12:54 PM

Here is my third stage - at least one more to go...
High res version

meggs · #**111** 04-24-2012, 05:08 PM

Mek..... glad I helped to quash those negatives a little. Im only a relatively new painter myself, learning as I go along and experimenting. One thing I would like to share with you is ..... dont get to bogged down in reference photos. Others may howl me down on this, but to me, references are like a "mud map" They give you a sense of direction, but your artwork is YOUR interpretation of it. If you want a faithful replica of the reference there is a forum for that to.. its called photo real

Relax a little and let it flow....

Raster please please finish..... Im checking in every day to see the final and please how did you get that green in the pools.... would love to know the mix tahhh

meggs · #**112** 04-24-2012, 05:50 PM

I have no idea who I have commented on and who I havent. Why does life have to get so busy at the worst times possible. My apologies everyone, Im a lousy hostess and thats tru for real life to,,, prefer people to just come in and make themselves at home.

Fruijin.... I so love your creek painting. Your texturing is fantastic...and the light thing worked marvellous. This is a real keeper. Your pastel and charcoal very interesting, but you know what, I prefer your style to your famous painters style...shhhhhhhh

Cleo, this so soft and dreamy, I could lose myself in it for hours. Dont you dare "lurk" anymore, why should we be cheated out of seeing your work. I think this is absolutely beautiful.

msummers.... what a lovely watercolour.. I could kill to do the Pine trees like that... wonderful variations in greens and the sense of distance.

Trier, your amazing... love these rocks... hope you got the high res.

Mum... what can I say .. this sketch really captures Fingal. How talented you are in all mediums,, love those figures on the beach. You make it seem all so effortless.

Steveoreno... I think your water is pretty damn good mate.... I would like to do as good. I really like your colour blend in the wet sand and your foreground grasses, (another of my weak points) The sky really works well.. I think you did a great job on this...

OK I hope I havent missed anyone, Ill check over again when I come back... We have a Public holiday here today, so have a bit of time up my sleeve.

Only 5 days till the end of the month and I cant tell you all how much I appreciate your participation in this month challenge.
Each and ever work that has been posted is a testimony to the talented creative souls you each possess.

Rastermon · #**113** 04-24-2012, 07:07 PM

Thank you Meggs,
Re: the green... I use whatever paint is around, and currently some of those are craft paints that someone gave me. Its s mixture of Seminole green acrylic craft paint, and typical tube form burnt sienna, azure blue and probably some red. I'll finish in the next week. Thanks for hosting!

SunFace · #**114** 04-24-2012, 08:48 PM

I gave a try to one of the photos. I am not all that happy with it. I think it needs more lighting on it ... hopefully you all can give ideas on how to fix it .... Oils on paper canvas, about 11 x 14.

Trier · #**115** 04-24-2012, 09:44 PM

Meggs- You're doing great!

Thanks for the email photos, much appreciated.

One thing I noticed that might have caused others the same puzzlement about the different rock colorations, more than just from the direction of the light, was that there appears to be thick veins or layers of a tannish ocher colored rock embedded in the predominately bluish rock. On the other hand, it may be just my poor eyesight.

I thought of trying a shot at making it look like the waterfall was going down the side of a big multi-colored layer cake, but then I thought of your sanity.

Rob- That's shaping up to be a dandy.

SunFace-Looks bright enough to me. You might want to review the tip Maureen gave Meggs to see if any of it applies.

Regards,
Trier

Rastermon · #**116** 04-25-2012, 01:10 AM

Stage 4
high res version

meggs · #**117** 04-25-2012, 08:28 AM

Raster thanks for that mix, I shall try it out.

Trier ... in many places in my country, you will find this. Breathtaking beauty lies in the colours of the earth in its escarpments.

i hope this works, check out this link to the Kimberly Gorge in Western Australia.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBlgPn5TJx...+Australia.jpg

Trier · #**118** 04-25-2012, 12:10 PM

Meggs - Wow! That Kimberly Gorge view is breathtaking - Thanks.

Regards,
Trier

frujin · #**119** 04-25-2012, 04:19 PM

Hi Guys, thank for comments. I felt like in mood for two more studies on the same topic - the river.

.. 1st started well, but ended up as kitsch - thanks to the weater, and mostly - the stupid white "waves"

.. Second .. ergh ... well ... you will see yourself

.. C7C are welcome! And please, be honest, .. there is no value in excessive politeness when learning!

.. (at least for me!). Both are acrylic on canvas board, 20x15 cm (or something like that). Guys, which one is worse??

Here is the 1st ...

And here is the second:

**Charlie's Mum** · #**120** 04-25-2012, 05:14 PM

mek - this really is a miniature - expected a big painting when I checked your link!
Minis are really quite difficult to paint, so you've portrayed quite a lot in a tiny size!

sunface - very good sky! Maybe you could add light and texture and interest into the foreground grasses?

Raster - this really is a super painting! And yes, that green has lovely liquid depth.

Frujin - in all honesty I like these two studies, so no harsh crits from me!
I like your bravery in going for dynamic colour choices and in the 1st, I also like the large, free brushstrokes.
The second looks a bit Fauvist in concept and I think it could be developed into a really good painting - if you wanted to take it further!

Meryl - thanks for the challenge and I'm glad I came over - don't often get the chance to do landscapes (and still haven't to be honest!)

I've really enjoyed seeing different artists' work here though - talented bunch!!!

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