From above
Posted: September 9, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized 19 Comments »There is most certainly a change in the colours of the foliage this week and it is most pronounced in the higher elevations. This was sketched south of Montreal, on Covey Hill, an area where my father spent many summers of his youth. We’re talking some years ago, probably in the mid 1930s, but he still remembers the names of many of the farmers in the region. This is “apple country”, as he calls it, and no trip is complete without stopping to bring a bushel of them home.
Beautiful. Such a light touch. Love the one-point perspective of the road.
Thanks Valerie. I LOVE sketching views like this. I wish I would have had time to do a full painting but I may just do one from this sketch.
This is really good (again)… good to see that your form has returned. There is a great feeling of depth and distance and I really like the use of the one-point perspective.
Although I did notice in the foliage on the right, that you are having a bit of trouble painting between the lines… you know, you can get some of those painting-by-numbers kits from the art shops if you feel the need to practise that. : )
I AM having a hard time with the lines these days! Hopefully with practice I will get better.
Wonderful composition as always and lovely colors.
It looks a bit like the apple farm area at Mt.Hood.We make a trip every fall with a picnic and a stop at our favorite farm for apples for chutney and to eat!
The apples are early this year and I bought enough to make pie. I just have to put down my sketchbook and find the time to do it.
I know this area very well and you have translated it exactly as it is. Your lines are wonderful… A very light touch that you have.
Thanks Jane!
Shari, I used to have a country house in Hemmingford and I am quite familiar with Covey Hill, which is not far away. I’m always amazed how you can make telephone poles look great.
It reminds me when I had to argue with my gallery owner who didn’t like to see telephone poles in my paintings. I gave in on one of the large paintings that she had sold to a customer on conditions that I take them out. Good thing that it was an oil and not watercolor.
I love that area Helmut. My father almost bought a farm there a long time ago.
I guess your customer would never buy my work because I have telephone poles all over the place!
Shari, this is another real beauty once again. Your work appears deceptively effortless. Clearly you are unusually gifted, and I know you have painted for many years, but how long did it take you to get to the point where you could say “I’m pleased with that result.” I’ve been painting now for about 2 years and am frustrated much of the time.
Thanks Wayne.
Wow, this question could have a really long answer… but it may not be the one you want to hear.
I am never pleased with the results of my work. That’s why I have this drive to keep on painting. I just want to paint all day long to try and get better. If I was pleased I probably would just stop because there would be no fun in it anymore.
And now for my answer about you. I was looking at your most recent work on Flickr this morning and my husband happened to glance over my shoulder. He came over to see whose work it was because he thought it was pretty amazing (and he doesn’t say that often). We spent a long time admiring all of your posts. You have a gift for watercolour (especially for someone who has only painted for two years) and the fact that you can really draw helps. Just keep doing what you are doing. I think being frustrated is what makes you (and me) work harder.
Shari, I truly wasn’t trying to squeeze a compliment out of you indirectly, but thanks very much anyway. Your response is encouraging as it highlights effort PLUS interest and ability = results … most of the time.
Wayne, it was purely coincidental that we were looking at your work today.
But I truly meant what I said. And I like your formula.
I would like to jump into this conversation (uninvited), if that is OK?
Wayne, I have watched your work on Flickr for some time… I have a bookmark for your page. I really like your style and approach… so don’t be too critical of your own efforts.
With Shari’s work, which I have followed closely since last year, the thing which really impresses me is the difference that regular practice makes. Now, I know the lady has a little bit of talent and has taken a few lessons in her time. : ) But what I have seen is the remarkable improvement that comes with daily practice. Every parent who has struggled with their kids’ piano practices should make those kids look at this blog. Need more convincing?… go back and look at Shari’s post from last year, on October 15… it will make you feel so much better!
So, I think a big part of it is frequent practice.
What could be more public than this Ross, so jump in! I’m glad you like Wayne’s work too.
I never look back at my own work so I will have to go back and see what I was doing last year as well.
Wow, Ross was right. I just looked back at October 15th. Practice doesn’t make perfect but it sure does help.
Sorry, I have probably just publicly highlighted your worst post ever… as long as we ignore the cucumber, which we agreed to do. : )
You were generally doing much better work back then. But, if October 15 happened to be the first time I looked at your blog, I probably wouldn’t have looked again. Fortunately, I think my first view was December 5… and you had certainly improved by then.
Now I have to go back and see what I did on December 5.
I remember going out to do the october sketch. It may have been one of the first times I sat in my car to paint and I was so self-conscious. I eventually got over that, as you know.