Rue St. Joachim
Posted: December 13, 2017 Filed under: Uncategorized 28 CommentsThe first big snowfall yesterday coincided with the end of my teaching semester. I’m thrilled to have some time to paint again, post more frequently, answer comments in a more timely manner… and simply have time to breathe.
Right after a big storm like this one, parking on the street is sometimes problematic because of the snowplows, so I painted in studio this morning. My limited palette was mostly Cerulean Blue, Yellow Ochre, Cobalt Blue and Burnt Sienna — a fairly quiet choice of colours for this scene. Paper: Bockingford cold press, 15″ x 11″. Playlist: some chill jazz on Spotify.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
It’s great!
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Thanks so much Eileen.
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Oh my! So lovely! Much better than any photo!
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Always better than a photo for sure! Thanks for writing Suzanne.
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Great picture!
And I really like the idea of a limited pallete!
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Yes, a limited palette goes a long way in unifying the painting. Thanks for writing.
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Educational (if you’ll allow the word now school’s ended) how bright the yellow ochre and burnt sienna look because everything else is muted. Lovely painting, happy holidays.
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Thanks Tony. Hope all is well with you!
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Perfect palette for our Canadian winters!! What a stunning painting – actually makes me grateful that we have the winter season with it’s refreshing landscapes! As an elderly relative used to say : “Ça change la morale!”
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HI Gayle. I used to dread winter before I started painting it, and now I love it. Until around the middle of March when it gets really grey. But the start of winter really does feel special, the snow makes everything feel fresh.
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I love this picture!
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Thanks so much.
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Wonderful sense depth in this wintry scene!
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Many thanks Paul!
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Just read one of your ‘related’ posts and wonder if you’re still using Cinerous Blue? I’ve used it for a couple of years but am undecided … particularly since I discovered it’s Pthalo Blue plus White to make it into Cerulean Blue. Lovely on it’s own but explains why it sometimes looks chalky in mixes.
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Hi Tony, I know I still have a tube of it but I don’t think I’ve used it in a long time. It’s made by Sennelier, right? I know you use Sennelier colours. I do love that colour but you’re right about the chalkiness of it — now I understand why. I have so many tubes of paint, it’s a bit ridiculous. It would require a palette with 40 wells in it to hold them all. I admire the discipline of painters who use less than a dozen colours and stick to them no matter what they paint, but I can’t do that. On the other hand I probably never use more than six colours in any painting. Sorry for rambling. Too much time on my hands!
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Hi Shari. Suspected you might have ditched it … think I will too. I like the way Sennelier paints rewet so easily despite infrequent use but I’m still trying to find the right colours … just enough but not too many. The Holy Grail! As always Jane Blundell’s site has a world of useful info. Best, Tony
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Wow ! You captured the softness of winter… Our most spectacular season!
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I agree Marc. Great to hear from you. It’s been a long time that we haven’t sketched together. I hope to be at more outings in the new year because my teaching schedule will be better!
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you’ve used a limited palette in a masterly fashion. i appreciate your effective placement of those blues and reds and even of the yellow ochre..
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Thanks Holly!
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Wow! Shari, that is a stunning image. I love the snow and the shadows! It’s fantastic!! Keep ’em coming! I love looking at all your new “sketches”!!
Susan
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Great to hear from you Susan! Hope all is well with you!
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Amazing Shari… you captured the quaint village of Pointe Claire after a first snowstorm( with limited colour scheme … amazing)! I am a resident of Pointe Claire for over 35 years so I really appreciate your representation! Congrats!
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Thanks so much Irene. Yes, Pointe Claire is always beautiful after a snow storm!
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Thanks for the mention of the specific colors you chose. I love the way you simplify a complicated scene. Do you do thumbnails prior to your paintings? I fail to think through the scene before beginning. thanks for your example and reminder to plan ahead.
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HI Bernadette. I often do thumbnails before I paint, but for this one I just started painting. Sometimes the thumbnails are in my head.
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Happy Holidays to you..Love this one..it’s so you of course! Wish it was me too;)
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