Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Landscape


Landscape
Originally uploaded by linfrye
Trying to keep that list of 'shoulds' in mind from yesterday -- I feel like I"ve only partially achieved that elusive 'loose/painterliness' that has become my goal ...

I suppose practice is going to be the 'key' .. and having achieved it at least once shows me that it CAN be done! LOL

I've read that all painters, like writers, facing the blank page each day struggle with the same 'ideals' they shoot for and attempt - no matter how successful their past 'achievements." Some days I feel like the runner who's goal is to finish a marathon ... some days the miles go by effortlessly, other days each step is a climb ...

So here's to the running of the race! And the steps along the way ... at least they're fun!

15 comments:

Jenny said...

Lin, that's lovely! Too bad about the practice part being so necessary. I haven't found a way around it, and with each piece I do, I mutter "more practice before I can get this".

Robyn Sinclair said...

You really are on a roll, Lin. I just love the way you are painting masses of flowers. The petals look so real and the flowers have such depth. Wonderful!

Lorraine said...

Such a lovely summer setting -- and it looks so casual and impressionistic. Yet I know it took a lot of work to get it to look easy!
Hugs,
Lorraine

Teri said...

I know EXACTLY what you mean Lin. Somedays I just have to walk away from everything and recharge my batteries.

I love this landscape, it is colorful and inviting.

Laura Frankstone said...

Here's my initial thinking about what you've written here. It's easier to learn to be loose when you work on a larger scale than this size paper---or if you work on a small sheet, you choose a small subject as you did with the shells the other day. I think working loose requires some big, relaxed gestures, especially at first, when you're teaching your body to respond a certain way. Think of the warm-up exercises people do in a figure drawing class and try to do some of that each time you sit down to paint. Trying to render deep space, with lots of detail, as here, on a small sheet of paper, would tighten up most people, I think. Once you've got the habit of painting loosely, then you can do it on a small scale (and, of course, many artists do!), because your eye and hand are accustomed to working loosely. Anyway, that's my unasked for advice---don't make your choice of materials and/or subject matter work against you! Remember the big sheet of paper discussion from last year ;D?
Your colors here are gorgeous, cara.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

It sounds easy - to keep that list of "shoulds" up front in your mind when you paint ... I think you have it. I really love this, the beautiful colors and the loose application. Also..... ditto the shells in the previous post. Lovely colors there.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

I meant to say, "It sounds easy, but it isn't as easy as it sounds".

Tami said...

Makes me want to be on that lovely lane! Your shells from yesterday are quite beautiful! I read your list, wish I could stamp it on my brain; somehow when I pick up the brush, the "pointers" fade and I do the same thing over and over and gee, I get the same results!

I do know exactly what you mean about somedays are easy and some are not.

Claudia said...

You#re so right, Lin! But although you might not have achieved the looseness in this painting, it is a very nice one, nevertheless!

Ivona Hrvatin said...

Funny, a half an hour ago when I was posting my today's doodle on my blog was asking myself "does everyone has difficult days?"... your post is the reply.

Lin, I LOVE your landscapes; the colors, the compositions,...
I'm the last person to be able to comment on painting techniques (absolute beginner, without any painting knowledge,..) but if I can say what I think...I don't know, but I think your flowers seem loose, the trees seem loose, vineyard too,... Could it be that you have the impression about the painting not being loose because there are lost of elements (huge number of flowers, many wines)? The only thing I feel looks painted differently then the rest of the elements are the buildings.
I think Laureline is right.

Please excuse me if I allowed myself to write these insignificant, probably wrong comments.

Sue Seibert said...

Lin, once I clicked on the image in Flickr I think you are achieving the looseness you want. It's beautiful!

Linda said...

Look at those lovely dark greens, with all the subtle nuances of color ... purple and orange and red and blue ... fabulous!
:-)
And it seems nice and loose to me. Laura is right about working large -- dance with your paper!!

Joan said...

Lin, Just super color in this!!! Lovely!

mARTa said...

Is it spring yet Lin? What pretty color in this one!

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