Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Friday, August 24, 2012

On the Shelf #2



On the Shelf #2

6x8in oil on canvas   $125.

This is very different  from yesterday's post and that is because
today's class was in oil painting.

Artist Note.

As an art teacher I am exposed to many different techniques.
I really enjoy a variety of medias and the ways they can be used.
I agree with no matter what the medium or style, certain principles do apply
to help make a better painting.
But I do not like the word RULES  because I see them passed around
without foundation. A favorite of mine is one so many people use
about not putting something right in the center.
It can be misinterpreted.
I have seen magnificent work with the center being the focal point.
Well... this painting is not a masterpiece, but I have enjoyed painting it.
The placement is more or less in the center, but the flowers link
to form an angle across the upper half. Another couple of angles
are made by the shelf, The eye flow is helped by the buds on the
edge and top of the shelf.(forming another angle)
So my advice is, if you have something in the middle and you like it there
then look for ways to produce an asymmetrical  and interesting design.


22 comments:

  1. And sometimes the object placed in the center just plain works. In that case, hold your head high!
    In this post my eye goes to the blue vase. The texture and color are so inviting to me. My eye goes in with the rose on the shelf and then travels to the vase. Just lovely

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  2. Thank you, Helen. I enjoyed the way you saw the painting.
    The rose you did is truly amazing.

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  3. One day I will be inspired to paint and it will be blogs like this that inspire me to do so, Helen ... in the meantime: I never have enough hours in the day to draw all the work that I should be drawing. However, I did use some red and blue ink (1% of the piece) for the first time ... made me feel almost artistic! :0)

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    1. Thanks for the visit John. I saw the colors go in and it is going to be gorgeous when finished.. and as for your boat drawings...wow!

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  4. I love the painting and I love what you say. I am sure I don't know all the rules, but I know that at times you should break them. If we follow the rules all the time, nothing surprising will be creating. Things can work in spite of breaking the rules. I do choose to place things in the center, sometimes it is still exiting, other times it is not. Square format do limit placing sometimes.

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    1. Love your comment - thanks Roger. You have the perfect example on your blog today with your cupcake right in the middle. Using the energy of movement in the background and the perfect curve of the cherry stem you created a little gem!

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  5. Excellent advise, Julie. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Carol. Congratulations on your new commissions.

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  6. Hello Julie:) You are right. Rules are there to be broken:) Your roses and vase should be in the center. Beautiful!

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  7. Purely gorgeous! I'm with you on the rules in art; I too think they can be misinterpreted, or better yet, are made to be broken as Renate says.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment during this painful time for you.

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  8. Julie! this IS a masterpiece! I just love it. Who are "THEY" who make the rules anyway! LOL Love your post.

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    1. Hi Hilda - "THEY" are all around us! Offering their little remarks in critiques centered around their own vision of RULES they have read or heard, and not taking into consideration the total scope of the visual impact. Sometimes they are right, but
      I think it takes guts to work it out on your own after a few of those.

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    1. Thanks and so is yours but you can design wonderful buildings too.

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  10. Beautiful Julie...just so pleasant to look at.

    I agree with you about the center thing...center works can work.

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    1. You are always so nice and supportive and I do appreciate your visits, Lisa. That is a fabulous painting you did and congrats for getting chosen...and then the sale.

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  11. I've really enjoyed scrolling through your blog, Julie . . . you're so versatile and creative. Beautiful painting! You "got" the baggie in a previous post to work beautifully!

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    1. Thanks, Lorraine. Did I ever tell you my daughter is named Lorraine...after a wonderful, special friend in my life.
      Thanks for the time you gave my work. I really am flattered.

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  12. This is beautiful! I'm working on MORE PAINT! Kathy

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie