Tuesday 15 February 2011

Paint in the Freezer

Yesterday was freezing but the rain had passed by so keeping a little promise I made to myself I packed the pochade and headed down the coast. I had to work quickly, as keeping the hands warm enough to hold the brush was something of a problem. I've got gloves that should do the job but once the finger ends seize up there's little control. You'll have guessed by now that I'm winding up the excuses for the failings of this week's effort. On the positive side I'm getting better control of the recession in these studies. The painting is not as finished as I would like, but it is what I completed at the scene. I'll probably make a few adjustments to call it finished, some blending and edge work could improve it.

Seaham - Oil on canvas board 12" x 10"

6 comments:

Caroline Simmill said...

You have captured the perspective very well. Looking down from the edge of a cliff is very well done. Lovely clouds too and the fore ground work on the cliff edge is important too as it sets everything else well into the distance. The beach is a nice colour too. I think you have done well and after all these are studies that you are creating and from that you can gather information to put into a studio piece at home if you so wish. I would say you had a successful outing and working in the cold can make an artist rush their work too. Had it been a fine warm summer's day we would be seeing a different work.

Peter Ward said...

I like this Mick. It has a very cool dreamy look about it. Nice pastelly colours. I'm not sure about the very dark area at bottom right though. It doesn't seem in keeping with the rest and is it isolated?

Unknown said...

Caroline - Thanks.You are right in that these are learning pieces and it is my intention to work some of them up into studio pieces. I do have a belief that working outside is important in developing the skills for the studio, particularly in the way we 'see' our subject matter.

Unknown said...

Peter - Thankyou. The front right area was placed and coloured to give the impression of depth in the painting. The mid ground could do with a bit of a boost to differentiate it from background and foreground completing a more convincing recession.

Ron Guthrie said...

Hi Mick,
That's the way to do it. Each painting is a way to go for something you want to get better at. The depth here works very nice. Watch splitting the canvas though. Very nice color work in this piece too.

Unknown said...

Ron - Thanks a lot. There are some things that I think are improving, hopefully there are others that might head in the same direction.