Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tree Reflections Value Study

Tree Reflections Value Study, L. Daniel, 8 x 10

I actually did this value study from a full color plein air piece that didn't work out. (No, I have not posted it and don't plan to!) Interestingly, I really fought with that failed piece but could just not pull it out. My problem was color. I love color... of course, we all love color. We respond to it emotionally, and because of that emotion we let it play tricks on us. We chase it's many iterations and forget the original context. Going back to the values allowed me to remember the simple relationships between the planes in the landscape I originally saw. It was all there in my memory once I set the color aside.

10 comments:

Bev Boren said...

Laurel these studies are great! Little jewels!

Victor Errington said...

Hi Laurel.
I love your Value Study`s, especially this latest posting. It`s beilliant and beautiful. All the best.
Vic.

rick daskam said...

Yes Laurel, very nice. I like the way you think.

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

I LOVE this one - you don't need color to enjoy it! I enjoy value studies and sometimes think that color just messes you up!

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

This is beautiful and serene. Thanks for sharing lessons learned. It's all a process and continuing to learn what creates the magic!

Randall said...

I like this Laurel nice painting. Simple and effective.

~Kirby

Kathryn Glover said...

This painting reads like a beautiful little poem. A true example why value studies are so important. Your eye reads the value of a color first, then the hue (or other color properties) I just love this one.

Barbara Muir said...

This is magnificent Laurel,

I love the peaceful quality, and the feeling of colour present even when
it's not there.

XOXOXOXOXOBarbara

Marian Fortunati said...

Really interesting post... now will you paint another WITH color???

Lorraine Shirkus said...

I find the comments you make on the value studies and the workshop studies very helpful . . . can feel myself freeing up! Thank you! And it's lovely work to look at!