Courtyard 2...revisted

"Courtyard 2" (in progress)
Original oil & alkyd on canvas panel
10 x 8"

Last time I showed you this painting in-progress (on January 12), I had just the basic values laid down. I've started adding color to determine the "light of day" and the "temperature" of the painting--whether it will have a warmer or cooler feel to it.

While it's my natural tendency to heighten the contrasts, tighten up edges, and add more details, I'm rather liking the overall diffused softness of the image. My challenge, then, is to finish the painting without overworking it. Unlike Photoshop, there are no "un-do's" or "re-do's" in painting....Darn!

I hope you have a good weekend. See you Monday.
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Text and image ©2009 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Re-do...

"Courtyard 2" (in progress)
Original oil & alkyd on canvas panel
10 x 8"

My artist-friend Lisa Rivas (whom you met in my post on July 30, 2007) advised me to never throw away a painting. She told me to "…just put it aside and wait until you're ready to finish it."

Today's post may seem familiar to you, since I posted a version back on November 13, 2008. Well, I never was quite satisfied with that painting. So I decided to try a different format. Rather than a square, I chose a vertical 10" x 8."

What you are seeing today is a "tonal" underpainting of 4 basic values. Rather than a purist's grisaille in greys or a monochromatic rendition (different shades of one color), I just used the leftover paint on my palette and mixed up 4 colors--each a different value--to get the basic shapes and the lights and darks down. Since I laid on the paint rather thickly, it will take a day or two before I can begin laying in the true colors.

In the meantime, I hope to finish "Blue Gate"...or I'll be posting another painting that I've been working on, called "Cactus Wall." Either way, tune in on Thursday and see which painting came together.

I hope you have a good week.
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Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2009. All rights reserved.

The Learning Tree

Morning Courtyard

by Carol Adamec
8" x 8" Oil on canvasboard
In Progress

This painting has been "in progress" for several weeks now, going through several color and composition revisions. I even lopped off 2 inches of the original 8" x 10" panel to change the format. (I used the panel fragment to paint "Fingernail Moon" posted on October 27.)

For sure, I have learned a lot painting this Russia olive tree in my friend's patio area. I'm just not sure the lesson is over!

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my blogsite. Have a good weekend and I'll see you Monday.
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Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.