Daily Practice
Journal
One of my favorite trees, the redbud (Cercis canadensis) has been blooming its pink blossoms-- and I've been trying for a week to try to capture that delicate pink against the yellow/green of early spring leaves. This quickly done sketch is from a photo of my neighbor's home as I looked across my property. I'm not entirely satisfied with this work and the scan issues I'm having (washing out of some of the contrasts) don't help! LOL
I approached this painting directly -- meaning I sketched the house and trees and painted each OBJECT - house, trees, foreground, etc. Not that that is wrong or anything, it's simply ONE approach. BUT, I find myself moving more toward an impressionistic style - one I love and admire and much as I've been learning from Allen Kirk though his step-by-step watercolor lessons. In my mind's eye, I envisioned this scene IMPRESSIONISTICALLY, but wound up painting it as is my first response -- somewhat more realistically ... and so my first 'impulse' and my 'desire to move towardsomething else' form a tension that leaves me struggling as a continue to 'grow' as a watercolorist. Does this make sense?
I want to try this scene again in a similar way that Allen works - and so, once this busyness of the plant sale is behind me, I should have a bit more time to concentrate as I retrain myself. So bear with me as I continue along this path.
And - I have to add my sincerest thanks to Allen Kirk for his kindness. On his blog today (http://tarnincolour.blogspot.com/) Allen generously talks about my work -- THANK YOU, Allen! And thank you for helping me, and all of us, learn more about impressionism -- and thank YOU for your constant inspiration!
I'm off to yet another oral history interview and more festival preparations. My fingers are crossed for good weather -- I just heard some rumors of a chance of showers on Saturday ... mercy!
Lin
Oh Lin, I agree the redbud is such a bright sign of spring - Lovely sketch and simply gorgeous harbinger of what is to come!
ReplyDeleteI also love the Redbud trees and their beautiful blossoms. When we travel back to Wis. they are all along the highway especially in MO.
ReplyDeleteYou did a beautiful job on this.