12/27 Pastel on Matboard

[CarlyHardy]

Size of image, about 14x14
I used a few of my new ArtWorks! for this one. They go on really smooth! but most of it's in Rembrandts. This is my #100 plein air painting for this year...I reached my goal set in late April to do this!! Painting in front of the landscape has taught me so much about light and color...now I feel like I can get serious about this stuff!



I painted this same scene earlier in the fall while the dogwoods had all their bright colorful leaves! Big difference now!
carly

[Mo.]

Hi Carly,

The first thing that struck me was the sky and the wispy branches outlined there, beautifully painted the foreground colours are lovely too, but why the clumps of black areas? I feel they spoil an otherwise lovely painting which is so lively.
Mo.

[Katherine J]

100 plein airs - congratulations, Carly. That's an impressive goal to reach. I wonder if those 'black' areas just show that way in the photo and aren't really that black.

How do you prepare the matboard?

Katherine

[JamieWG]

Carly, I just love this. The contrasts, the delicate tree branches, the composition, the path I want to wander down....It all works so beautifully.

BTW, the "blacks" are showing up for me as deep green evergreens, against an alizarin background. Works for me!

Carly, big congratulations on reaching your goal. I've only been following your plein airs for a few months, but what a wonderful journey it's been. What did you do before the plein airs?

Jamie

[Mikki Petersen]

This one is a show-stopper. I think the very dark areas are perfectly okay. They blend in well. when I read comments on the blacks, I had to go back to see what was being discussed. If it does not glare out as an ouch, then you are doing all right. Anyway, that's my rule of thumb. I just love the way you use colors.

[CarlyHardy]

Actually, there are no blacks at all...and you can't see all the variations of color in those dark evergreen trees that really exist in the painting. Mark one up to "contrast" and "digital pics".
The trees are actually a deep purple undertone, deep thalo green and blended with a lighter yellow/green. I know...it's hard to believe!
The actual painting looks much lighter in those areas than on the screen.

carly

[KarenU]

Originally posted by CHClements
...now I feel like I can get serious about this stuff!...

I believe you got serious about this stuff a long time ago!

Marvelous painting Carly. The color combinations are just delightful. The composition is inviting, and as cold as it appears to be, I'd like to take a walk through that landscape!

[MarshaSavage]

Congratulations! 100 plein air!! Whoo Hooooo!

When I first looked at the painting I was somewhat concerned about those dark areas. I thought they were evergreen branches on the foreground trees until I scanned a little further down and realized they were supposed to be evergreens in the background. I know the scanner and/or digital pictures don't do justice to darks in a painting. And -- I know you know your use of color and so realized that the "real" thing would be right!

Keep up the good work -- can't wait to get together!

[Redsy333]

I recognized the scene right away , and you did this one just as marvelous as the fall scene! Beautiful colors
Does this mean we will see a series of seasons in this scene? hint

[crumbedbrains]

Hi Carly,
Congrats on making your goal . . . do you ever go home??
As Karen said, you got serious a while ago . . . so what's the goal for next year mmmmmm?

Just one small comment on this one . . . I would crop a little of the bottom mainly because my eye was drawn directly to those whispy trees in the distance and the because the "horizon" sems to cut the painting in half for mine.

Anyway . .my 2c worth
Cheers and congrats again Carly
Cheers
Crumby