The moors
Posted: November 18, 2016 Filed under: Uncategorized 48 CommentsA few weeks ago I posted an oil study (below) that I’d done in class of a scene in West Yorkshire near Haworth. I’ve been working on a larger version of the scene for the past two classes, and thought it would be interesting to post the larger painting too.
The sketch is 7″ x 9″ but for the larger painting I chose a 12″ x 12″ wooden panel, and this time I expanded the scene to include some foreground. I’m not sure I’ve completely finished, but I took a phone shot of the painting before I left the class last night. Of course I can’t carry these paintings home because they’re still wet, but looking at the photo during the week is a good idea because it helps me find things I might want to work on during next week’s class.
Back in July, when I was looking at this scene and taking a photo for what would eventually be the reference for the painting, what I found really magical was the light on the distant hills. When I expanded the composition to include a larger foreground area, I chose to keep the lower part of the painting fairly soft so as not to compete with the upper part where I think all the interest is. We’ll see where this goes next week, but besides adding a few dabs here and there, I may leave it as is and move on to something else.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Shari, I love your oil painting. You really accomplished your artistic goals here. Simply beautiful.
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Thanks so much for writing Mayela. As you can see, I’m really enjoying this learning process of learning about oils.
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Ideal for watercolor in the English style
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Absolutely ideal for watercolour. Should I try it in watercolour too?
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Please do! We would enjoy your interpretation.
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Sounds like your having fun with your new challenge. Both lovely paintings but fascinating to see the effect of even relatively small changes in format size and composition.
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Tony, I am really having fun trying this. Working in oil is such a completely different way of thinking, but I am loving the learning process. It’s too bad that I started this at the beginning of winter because I am itching to try some plein air oils. Can’t exactly do this in the car, can I?
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If you want to “see” your painting with fresh eyes, either flop the photo in your phone, or look at it in a mirror. You’ll say HOLY COW!! and see many things you hadn’t noticed. 😀
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I have done that so many times. You’re right. It’s absolutely the best way to see the flaws in the work.
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So amazing.There is nothing like oil.
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Thanks Reissa!
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Thank you so much for all your amazing work. You are an inspiration.
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Thanks for writing David.
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I definitely like the larger foreground. It helps to even more take your eye to the background. The colours are so moody and wonderful!
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Thanks Chris. Great to hear from you. Hope all is well in Sydney.
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Hi Shari love the colours and mood in booth and i know how moody the moors can be . May i say though that i love the second one especially. the added pinks in the foreground and mmid ground seen to give more definition to the tree and emphasize the distant sunlit hills. well done Shari. Barb
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Thanks so much Barb. I’m happy that I expanded the composition too.
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Gorgeous Shari! (I’m enjoying a great flashback to that day) I really like how you captured the form of the fireweed in the foreground.
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Fireweed! Of course you would know that Alison. I didn’t really have the right colour for that but I did the best I could with the limited palette.
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A wonderful evocation of the moors beyond Haworth. It really does invite one to explore those many distant footpaths that lead past the distant Bronte Falls and on up to Top Withens and beyond. Glad to see that you have so effectively captured that patchwork of light and shade which so often makes this scenery unforgettable. I hope that one day you will be able to return and also see the dramatic sunsets that can bathe the whole of our moors in such a beautiful, transformative light.
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Trevor, I really hope that I will be able to make it back there one day too. Not only do I want to paint the moors again but I want to take the walk to Top Withens!
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I agree. The way you have dealt with the foreground has increased the depth of the scene. Beautiful rendition of a sketch that has retained its liveliness. Thankyou.
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Thanks so much Sandi.
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Thanks, Shari. I love your explanations as you work through your paintings.
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Thanks Susan!
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I really enjoy landscape through your filter.
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And I really enjoy how you word your comments Jane.
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Simply beautiful! I love the square format and also your watercolors. I wonder if you would share the color you used on the oil for the “red” under-painting.
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HI Aud. Thanks so much. The red you see underneath is the Burnt Sienna Acrylic that covers the whole panel.
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Can’t get over how wonderful these oils are – not that I’d expect anything else from you, but I imagine oils are so different to work with in comparison to your watercolors. I’m thinking opacity, dark to light ?, and length of time to completion.
You ARE fantastic!
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Thanks so much Lynn. Oils are really different both because of the opacity and also because of working dark to light. Watercolours come alive when you add the darks. Oils come alive when you add the lights. That part was news to me when I started painting.
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I don’t suppose you would consider selling these would you Shari? I would so love to own the bigger one – I’d hang it by my desk as my ‘window’ (I only have a skylight in my office). Mind you I’d probably spend so much time looking at the view, I wouldn’t do any work!
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Hi Kate. I could be convinced to part with it, of course. As soon as it is dry I will bring it home and take a proper photo of it. If you still like it, I will sell it. I’ll let you know, ok?
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These are lovely. Have you tried pastels?
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Never tried pastels. I bet I would love them too. You have done such wonderful work with pastels Lee. Hope all is well with you.
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I really like what you’ve done. My only other comment is the tree is a mighty big eye stopper in the middle and I’d like to travel further into the painting. Love your clouds, colors, and mountains.
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Thanks Dottie. I appreciate the comment about the tree and I will certainly take another look at that.
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Truly love your oil paintings Shari — as much as I love your watercolours, there is a forlorn quality about your oils that make them shine. Good work! Do you recommend the class that you are taking? You are peeking my interest for this teacher -)
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Thanks so much Jane. I think it would be great for you to try oils. I bet you would love it. I’ll send you the contact info for the class.
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Ditto all the above. Both paintings are lovely.
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Thanks so much Judy.
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These are just stunning. For sure, museum bound. :0)
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You’re very kind Janine. If they come out ok, they may end up on my wall, at least.
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I favor the second painting. For me, you did capture the light on the distant hills. And I love the way the lavender draws me from field to hills to sky.
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Thanks Susan!
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When I read your blog I feel as though I am an invited guest in your home. Thank you Shari! I really like the water and the way you used the reds, in the tree and around the fields, in the first painting. Makes me feel alive and up for a nice walk into the painting.
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Many thanks Suzanne. I like the way you worded that. A walk through a painting is a lovely image.
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It sparkles! Love the pink to offset the greens.
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