Woodpile
Posted: January 9, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized 45 CommentsHere’s a painting I experimented with a bit, both in format and with paper stock. Last week I was driving towards Hudson on the road that runs along the lake. It was such a brutally cold day — made worse by the frigid squalls blowing across the field — that I couldn’t have painted in my car. In fact, it was almost too cold to step outside to take a reference photo, but I did it anyway.
When I got back to my studio I thawed out my hands, and then I painted the scene on the remaining half sheet (15″ x 22″) of Schut Noblesse paper that I had. This is a paper that I find a bit too smooth (you can read out it here) but thought it might work for the snow shadows in this scene. When the painting was done, I found it a bit flat and decided to try it again.
For the second try I used a full sheet (22″ x 30″) of Arches rough paper, which is not something I use very often, but I was hoping to get more texture and granulation than on the previous version. When the painting was done I stood back to have a look and realized just how much blue I had used, which I guess conveys well how cold I felt standing out on that road with the wind whipping around me as I looked at the scene.
Hi Shari — this is magnificent! And I know this wood pile -)
Thanks Jane. I bet you’ve passed this many times. It’s a beautiful farm, isn’t it?
Yes it is! I like driving, and when I have a bit more time, I take the longer road home -)
I love the comparison and I love the Arches final result! Beautiful!
Many thanks Deb.
We don’t want our favorite Teach getting frostbite !!¡! Take notice when in the passion & count toes, pinkies & nose
Well done – you need a Brandy flask or a St Bernard but Alice would be jealous
Good advice Soni. Almost lost a few fingers just to take a photo. It’s hard enough walking Alice this week. Neither of us like going out there but it is going to warm up tomorrow.
Not sure which I like better but they are both nice. You do such great skies–which I knew from your Craftsy course. I like a smoother paper and dislike rough-just the opposite. In fact I like the Robert Bateman recycled sketchbook paper–I know many don’t. Do you know of a similar paper? It is hard to find Bateman sketchbooks here.
HI Judy, I like the Bateman book for drawing, but I have never tried using wash on it. If you like smoother paper, have you tried any of the Stillman & Birn books. They are great for both drawing and watercolour. My favourites are the Zeta for drawing and the Beta for light washes. Both are quite smooth so you would probably like them. Don’t know how close they are the to Bateman book, but they are really nice.
I love the Arches final painting. Looks much clearer and “colder”. Another great work, thanks for sharing,
Thanks so much Birte.
I do actually feel the cold on the second one. You always make the most mundane spectacular.
Nice work.
Many thanks Sue.
Wow. Beautiful. Lover the Watercolor.
Thanks Jordan.
Thanks for sharing both paintings of the same scene. You am such a master at your craft. From my amateur eye, both are exceptionally done but your explanation along with demonstration help me to understand and “see” more clearly how a change in color and paper can make a difference. I appreciate you taking the time to help us to appreciate these considerations in your work and in ours.
Thanks for your comments Bernadette. Writing about the process also helps me when I get around to teaching workshops in the summer, writing articles, etc. It’s a bonus for me to hear that you appreciate it.
Bernadette, your comment is exactly how I feel but would not be able to express so succinctly. And so ditto Bernadette’s comment to you Shari 😊
Really beautiful, Shari! I learn so much from your posts and you are so generous with sharing your experiences and knowledge. Thank you for your important contributions to the art community!
Thanks for writing Annie!
The second one n Arches speaks to me. Very robust.
Thanks Lee!
Most instructive to see the two. I can feel the chill in #2.
That was the coldest of days Alison. Thanks!
Gosh Shari, you are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing and all your explanations. Awesome paintings, both of them, and I like to look at how you varied them from the same ref.
Thanks Ros! Glad it’s useful.
Love these Shari and seeing the difference between the two papers . I tend to stick with one paper but do see the difference in my sketchbooks . Thanks for the push to try some different watercolor paper as well . This scene reminds me of Presque Isle Maine where we lived for a few years , frigid indeed.
Hi Diane. It’s nice to hear from and great to see your full series of sketches on Facebook. I bet this is indeed as cold as Maine!
Defintely the second has more character the darker clouds and colder snow shadows.
It’s more alive.
I love it.
Many thanks Andre!
Beautiful comparison! Thanks for showing both. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who paints, then does the same scene again, etc. [On my 7th version of a composition this week]. It’s instructive to do and then to see side by side.
You are not alone Robin. There are some paintings I do three times. Never seven, though. Hope it worked out!
What immediately stuck me was the log pile had more snow on it and the contrast against the buildings gave greater impact in the second Arches painting. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for writing PJ.
Nice to see 2 versions and the Arches one is especially wonderful. Great sky!!! The clouds look like they are in motion.
Thanks Patricia. It took me three tries to get the sky right.
Love the woodpile! The second painting on the Arches has such wonderful shadows and shading on the snow. Lovely!!!
Thanks Joan!
Number 2 certainly looks much crisper and alive, just as landscape often does when the air is very cold and free of moisture. The detail stands out more. It may look like there is more blue to you, but the red also looks redder. It seems that the snow got deeper too.
Thanks Phil. I don’t think the snow was any deeper but I did work more on the foreground because this is a paper that allows for more layering of washes.
great pics…both
Thanks so much.
Beautiful paintings Shari… I especially love your winter scenes!
Thanks so much Holmar!
Hi Sandra. If the bottom pic is the one completed on Arches paper – it is sharper in detail.
Your comments on papers or any supplies are extremely helpful. Thank you for your ongoing inspiration to us all.