Thursday, September 17, 2015

Training my Eye

Have to work really hard to train my eye on shape and value. Really hard. Have to work really hard to keep it trained on shape and value.

This painting was a mess for so long. Thought I might literally pitch it in the trash. But I kept nudging myself along:

What shape? Paint it.

What value—dark? Paint it.

Light? Mix a color. Paint.

Mid-tone? Do it.

All of a sudden, I felt sun on my skin. And a slight breeze.

Could hear voices from down at the waterfront, a cabin door slapping. Felt gravel and pine needles beneath my feet. Breathed in deep drafts of clean air.

Smiled.

Dappled Drying Time
6x6", acrylic on gessobord
architecture
2015
[not for sale]

8 comments:

Sheila said...

Well done you! I am horrible with all of that, something I really need to work on. The dappled light is wonderful!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Hi Sheila, thanks for your feedback and encouragement. The dappling is what brought the painting to life and was so much fun for me in the end, but this was not an easy scene for me to paint.

I have a little tug-of-war going with wanting to know more of the how-to of painting but not wanting to take a class; at present I seem to want to learn by doing so I paint, learn, paint, learn, paint, forget what I've learned, repeat past mistakes, paint some more!

Unknown said...

I am so glad you kept going with this one - the cabin shutters are exquisite; I can see how they would be such a challenge to paint. The shutter where the propped-up stick is visible is perfection!

Laurie Mueller said...

Beautiful, Dotty! And I love your writing, too....I'll have fun exploring this!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Laurie, thanks for visiting my blog and thanks for your kind words. Speaking of words, great fun to have you comment on my writing as well. I kept a journal for years and years and years, and then didn't anymore. Writing a bit each day when I post my art has turned out to be so enjoyable. And instructive and therapeutic as I discover what I'm thinking.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

I, too, am so glad I kept going. Propping up that shutter with a stick: the best!

Joany Kendra said...

Loved the lighting on the shutters and roof. Jack thought they were outstanding!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Joje, thanks for hurrahs from you and Jack! Such a joy for me to create art that others enjoy!

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