Purgatory Park Paintout

[Peter-MN]

Hello All,

I hosted my first OPM paintout this Saturday at Purgatory Park about a half
mile from my house. It was supposed to be last weekend but it was -4 for the high. This time it was a balmy 28.

Here is a setup shot and my results. 8X10 oil/Linen panel
1 1/2 hrs C & C welcome. sorry if its a little fuzzy.

Purgatory Path

[Donna T]

What a beautiful scene to paint, Peter. Glad you had a little 'warmer' weather this time. Nice painting! I like the yellow/bluish purple combination.

Donna

[Peter-MN]

Thanks Donna,

My painting efforts are like a box of chocolates. I never know what I'm going to get (just call me Forest)

I have walked in this park in the summer and was uninspired by the scenes.
In winter, I have discovered, it's a whole new ball game. Beautiful settings in every direction. There's something about marsh grasses and snow that just gets my juices going.

Thanks for the comments,

Peter-MN

[Marc Hanson]

Originally Posted by Peter-MN

Thanks Donna,

My painting efforts are like a box of chocolates. I never know what I'm going to get (just call me Forest)

I have walked in this park in the summer and was uninspired by the scenes.
In winter, I have discovered, it's a whole new ball game. Beautiful settings in every direction. There's something about marsh grasses and snow that just gets my juices going.

Thanks for the comments,

Peter-MN

Good job Peter! Your statement about winter vs other times of year is so true. I think that's why we can live and paint a lifetime within a stones throw of home and do completely capital 'A' Art. The possibilities are endless for the creative spirit.

[MichaelR]

You are right, the grasses and the snow make nice colour combinations. You show a good level of skill in portraying the subject but I think your enthusiasm to get your painting started may have led you astray on this one.

Next time perhaps you could try to spend a little more time planning your composition. In general it is advisable to avoid having much going on in the exact centre of the composition which is why the little fir tree attracts too much attention. Secondly it is never a good idea for a pathway to lead the eye straight out of the picture.

You mention that you are seeing plenty of possibilities in the area so try re-positioning yourself to get the path leading into the painting and either hiding or repositioning the little tree to give you more balance.

Try to remember that the viewer is always (even if only subconsciously) asking "why did the artist paint this view?"

If you get into the habit of doing small composition thumbnails in a sketchbook while asking yourself this question you will quickly improve your compositions.

I hope this helps

Michael

[Peter-MN]

Thanks Marc,

Painouts are interesting in that I usually struggle to find a subject that just grabs me. This time was no problem.

See you at Highland in February!?

Peter-MN

[Peter-MN]

Hi Michael,

I agree with the little tree in the middle. A little attention ahead of time would have helped. I put it in late and stepped back to see it was virtually smack dab in the middle. I put my thumb over it and decided the piece looked better with it in rather than out. As far as the path, maybe if I put a figure walking toward the viewer it would help to reverse the direction.

I will definately return and try some of your suggestions. It is a target rich environment.

Thanks for the honest critique.

Peter-MN

[Marc Hanson]

Originally Posted by Peter-MN

Thanks Marc,

Painouts are interesting in that I usually struggle to find a subject that just grabs me. This time was no problem.

See you at Highland in February!?

Peter-MN

Might see you in Stillwater for that one. Feb 16? I think? I have to leave for New Orleans the following day for a week of work (painting but might still be able to get to Stillwater.

[Peter-MN]

Marc,

I wrote you a PM. It is in Stillwater in February. My mistake.

You'll have to show us around.

Another target rich environment.

Good Luck in Norlins

Peter-MN

[Sezzan]

Dear Forest.. ..Nice assortment when it comes to brushwork and winter palette in this piece. Very effective !
Michael has brought to our attention, some good suggestions IMHO, pertaining to your painting and I will be making note of these for my own work. Thanks !

Glad that you got out..Peter-MN

Take care..

[Peter-MN]

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the comments. Bare trees, or trees in general are a challenge for me, but I keep plugging because they seem to be everywhere, Thank goodness.


Peter-MN

[Tim Schutz]

Hey Peter,
Ah yes, very familiar. You hit those colors nicely. There is a lot to be said from these winter scenes with their color and texture. Good job!

Tim

[Peter-MN]

Thanks Tim,

It's kind of like my golf game. I have stopped analysing my swing and started to just hit the ball again. In painting terms I try to mix what I see and paint how it makes me feel. At earlier painouts I was way too caught up in process
and forgot to just go for it.

Thanks for the comments, your work has progressed immensely!

Peter-MN

[MichaelR]

Originally Posted by Peter-MN

Thanks Tim,

It's kind of like my golf game. I have stopped analysing my swing and started to just hit the ball again. In painting terms I try to mix what I see and paint how it makes me feel. At earlier painouts I was way too caught up in process
and forgot to just go for it.

Thanks for the comments, your work has progressed immensely!

Peter-MN

This is a very good analogy! "Going for it" and painting intuitively and freely is a test of the technique achieved up to that point in ones development as an artist. In order to improve however it is necessary to do excercises, take tuition and strive to reach another level before settling back to consolidate what has been learned. Painting to me is therefore rather like a staircase, one has to work to climb each step but once there can have a breather and just enjoy using the new "tools" until they are familiar.

In golf we have all had lessons and played worse afterwards and this can happen in painting but it is generally caused by having too many "swing thoughts" in ones head at once.

With painting the same thing can happen and sometimes when confronted by a subject it may be best to say to oneself "I can tackle this best if I keep in mind this one theme" and I have known painters to write this thought on the top of their easels.

Cezanne famously said "when I start to think about it then all is lost!" and certainly painting intuitively is a goal to be sought after but for us ordinary mortals perhaps a small amount of discipline, what Corey Pavin called the "thought for the day" may be needed to get the best out of ourselves?

[brianc]

Peter, I really enjoy your grasses. The deep shadows at the base really make them. You've caught the mood of last Saturday well. Good work!