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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Workshop Paintings - Day 2





During the second day of the workshop we used our own references to find 4 or 5 elements we wanted to use in our paintings. Then we did at least 4 sketches using those elements. The aim was to rearrange the elements for each painting, making each part more/less dominant by moving it to the back or front of the painting or to a different spot in the painting, changing the colors, etc. Using the same subject there is an incredible number of possible paintings based on these changes. (So much for not having anything to paint!) Both of these painting were done from elements in 2 photos I had taken in Maine.

16 comments:

Lin said...

JOAN! THESE ARE STUNNING!! I LOVE THAT IDEA OF USING THE ELEMENTS OF EACH PHOTO TO CREATE NEW WORK -- TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP -- IT SOUNDS INCREDIBLE!!! I JUST LOVE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HERE, JOAN -- REALLY REALLY GORGEOUS!!!

Lin said...

Joan! I didn't have your email addy to send to -- but I wanted to thank you profusely for the information!!! I SO AGREE with his idea -- which I think is brilliant! Further -- Karlyn Holman (www.karlynholman.com) with whom I've taken anumber of workshops and who I plan to travel to Italy with next year, runs off copies of some of her work on wc paper (laser printer -- or 90#wc -- I forget which brand works best -- but I have the info at home) - and then uses these like pen and wash for variations in colors and different wc techniques too ...!

I tend to get bored doing the same thing all the time ... LOL -- but I've just begun redoing some of the photo references for better composition or to play to those things I CAN watercolor fairly successfully!!! LOL And that helps. So I've been studying composition books and ideas --

Thaks so much, Joan!! So is Jerry teaching near your home or are you in NC taking a workshops? (you can email me directly - linfrye@yahoo.com)

Hugs!

Joan said...

I checked Karlyn's website. It looks like she does interesting classes in a variety of places. It would be fun to paint in Italy with a group.

About said...

What a great way to teach us to see the possibilities, and get away from slavishly sticking to what is 'in the picture'! Two very distinct feels, with all the same elements...really lovely!

lmp said...

I am originally from Maine and I recognized your painting as being of Maine from the instant I saw it. Great work.

Jo Castillo said...

Just beautiful and such a fascinating way to look at things. Thanks for sharing.

Joan said...

Tracy - Thanks. We were told that the subject is just a reference, and we can basically do what we want.

Lisa - Thanks so much. I enjoyed seeing your blog and website. Thanks for visiting here.

Jo - Thanks. It is interesting to see the same subject in different ways.

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

these are 2 beautiful paintings, as are the prvious post's day one..
So nice to see your work!
ronell

Anita Davies said...

These are beautiful Joan, especially enjoy the 2nd.

Ai said...

Thanks for sharing such a great tip. I love your alterations, especially the number two.

Joan said...

Ronelle - Thanks so much. Thank you for visiting.

Anita - Thank you. These were rally interesting to do this way. It made me really thing about how I want to approach the subject.

Ai - Glad that seeing these has helped you too. I would normally never do 2 paintings of the same subject so close together, but I think it helped me focus on it more.

Michelle Himes said...

I still can't believe that we both ended up painting from the same slide. Great minds think alike! Every time I look at these I vividly recall frantically scribbling away trying to get a useable sketch. Fun!

Michelle Himes said...

I love the way your lighthouses came out.

Robyn Sinclair said...

You really have a way with rocks, Joan. Beautiful as usual. A class where you actually learn something, I do long for that.

Joan said...

Mickey - Thanks. I think picking the same slide must be genetic!

Robyn - Thank you. I enjoy taking classes and workshops. Wish I could do more.

quirkyartist said...

What a clever idea. Again you have done great paintings. You're a landscape girl - aren't you!