Leaning Tree, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2020
It was a hot, hot day on the Georgia coast. The light was drenching this tree, adding sparkle to its already dramatic pose. To paint it, I found the only shade around, but it was too close to the subject (no umbrella that day.) I could not see my whole subject without scanning it with my head. TOTAL mistake. I "thought" I could pull it off, and I knew better... but no. The brain can not put the parts together very easily (at least my brain can't).
If you have taken a class with me, you know how bossy I am about this. I pester my students to 1) be in the shade, and 2) be far enough away to see the subject with one glance. Why do I pester? Because I care... :)
BEFORE
AFTER
CHANGES:
Problem 1 - The tree ended up looking dissected and flat.
Fix - Added the foreground side of tree canopy, giving it volume.
Problem 2 - The tree looked emaciated.
Fix - Gave the tree its full summer foliage and added the drenching light.
Problem 3 - Background tidal creek sat "on top" of the marsh as if at high tide.
(Note: the tide came in as I was painting and that creek did appear... the problem was that I had already painted the rest of the scene at a lower tide level.)
Fix - Removed the distant tidal creek.
OBSERVATIONS:
I struggled with not being able to "see" my subject. I struggled with not anticipating nature's changes. In fact, I did much better working from my memory on my fixes than I did from my obstructed view. Analyzing visual information is a very important part of direct painting. When that ability is blocked, it's a hard challenge to overcome.
Huh! Just as with most things in life, it turns out we do better when we understand the "Big Picture". I'm keeping that in mind.
4 comments:
The fixed version looks great! Love hearing how you talk to your students!
Love this painting, and the discussion as always. Now when I paint, I think of you.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara
Thank you, Penny and Barbara! your wonderful encouragement buoys me up! :) And the discussion is never ending, isn't it? XOXOXO
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