Oval Canvas

Phyllis Rennie · #1 02-11-2001, 08:04 PM

Was given two oval canvases 16 x 20 for Christmas. Anything special to consider when composing a painting????

Sandi · #2 02-13-2001, 03:29 PM

Oh neat! What a nice gift.

I wish I had answers for you, but I don't. I just didn't like seeing you all alone here, while everyone's busy in the respect threads.

I do know that it's difficult to 'balance' them, but that's it.

PS. LOVED your last flower one!

Phyllis Rennie · #3 02-13-2001, 08:03 PM

Thanks Sandi--nice to hear from you again!! Wasn't sure if you were having earthquakes or power blackouts!!! All we have had here is snow and ice and cold weather.

Which flower did you love? Magnolia is finished now and I'm struggling through cyclamen. Phyl

Sandi · #4 02-15-2001, 10:13 PM

Thanks Phyllis! It's good to see you again too. Yes, the power brown-outs, no warning black-outs (poor poor computer), have been quite a drag.

Your magnolias one is beautiful!! Love how you wove the colors throughout. Even Monet would be envious!

Oh! One brainstorming I came up with for your oval canvas's, is:
Paint white on some cardboard, cut an oval hole, then "frame" your other paintings with it. I say 'your' paintings, because this oval has to capture YOUR style of composition, and you'll get a better idea of what might work for you.
Also, an oval viewfinder for when you actually set out to capture a scene.

Hope this helps,
Sandi

Phyllis Rennie · #5 02-16-2001, 07:47 PM

Oval viewfinder seems like a good idea. Thanks.

Sending you email about the magnolia.

tammy · #6 03-08-2001, 12:31 AM

I can't put it as they did, but I read in a book how to do this but I sure would have a hard time saying how they did it. It was a picture of a mountian and some trees. the branches of the tress pointed into the middle of the canvas and were rounded downward slightly toward the middle and the tops of the mountains were rounded also.
See, I didn't think I could say that right. I guess they mean that items on a round canvas should have curves.
You'd just have to see it.

------------------
Don't worry, its gonna be all right....
Tammy's Home for Artists

Phyllis Rennie · #7 03-12-2001, 07:55 PM

I understand what you're saying, Tammy. Thanks for the imput. I haven't done anything with these yet except to use the vignette feature on my image editing program to see how a few photos when changed from rectangular to oval. The only one that it seemed to help was the photo of my cat. Planning to spend some more time doing that so I can figure out what I like in the oval shape.

Paintbrush74 · #8 03-13-2001, 03:54 PM

I'm no expert on composition by any means (I wish I were better at it), but I recently hauled out an oval canvas that I'd had for years, and painted flowers on it. If you'd like to take a look, it's <A HREF="http://www.art-agent.com/cgi-bin/gallery_browser.cgi?cmd=browse_detail&cust_id=8177 &exhibit_id=8616&gallery_id=8413&community=paris"> here.</A> It's a 16x12.

Phyllis Rennie · #9 03-14-2001, 09:22 PM

Thanks. Guess that kind of illustrates what Tammy was saying about round objects fitting best on the round canvas. Your zinnas are lovely. I painted zinnas once--one of my worst!!!!!!

I've been playing with the vignette feature on my photo editing software to see what things look like in oval. It seems to me that this is one time where putting the center of interest in the center works.

Paintbrush74 · #10 03-15-2001, 05:28 PM

Hmmmm...putting the center of interest in the center...That might be interesting..hard to say... Guess I should get a good photo editing program.

Thanks, Phyllis, for the compliment on my zinnias. Sometimes I catch myself down-playing my talent, and it's a great help to get a positive comment from a fellow artist.

bruin70 · #11 03-21-2001, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phyllis Rennie:
Was given two oval canvases 16 x 20 for Christmas. Anything special to consider when composing a painting????

<FONT COLOR="Brown">nope. the oval will dictate to you properly because it's so unique. also, another consideration.........how expensive will the framing be.....{M}</FONT c>

------------------
"it's alright to be judgmental,,,,,,,,if you have taste"...MILT

Phyllis Rennie · #12 03-21-2001, 09:16 PM

Hi Milt, The two oval canvases are glued over the edge--not stapled--so I may paint the edges. Another thing I was thinking of was to wrap the edge with rope if it is a landscape or if I use it for a floral, maybe glue a nice ribbon around the edge.

Cheap, I know, but I might do something like that rather than frame them. Phyl

fink · #13 03-25-2001, 08:31 PM

I love the oval shapes to work with. It eliminates the problem corners and I find that an oval can guide your eye around the work. Corners and backgrounds are my main problem.

LeviNeto · #14 03-28-2001, 07:20 PM

I believe the oval canvas will cause a nice effect on everything you put in to it, because of it non-standard shape.
It asks for a rounded shaped figure at its center, or the picture will look unbalanced.
One thing I found interesting on oval canvas was the cubist aproach, because of the oposite shape forms, it created a very interesting and yet beautifull composition.
Anything can be done using a oval canvas, just be sure to use the correct colors and shapes to balance the picture as the canvas itself is already unbalanced.

tammy · #15 03-29-2001, 04:15 PM

I'm trying to think of where I've seen it before but as far as framing seems like I've seen something framed with some very long, thin strips of wood. Perhaps if you find some of these you could glue them around the oval canvas. Not sure what kind of glue though.

------------------
Don't worry, its gonna be all right....
Tammy's Home for Artists

Salute to our Partners