The Blue Gate
8x6in oil on canvas $125.
DAY 27
On a recent trip to northern New Mexico I
managed to get some plein air starts in.
I call them "starts" because they are not completed
paintings but are handy for capturing the colors
as I see them. Usually I am marking the path of
sunshine and shadows with warm and cool notes.
A photo does help me with the details I did not get in,
but I find a photo on its own makes it very hard
for me to capture the special feeling I had when
I was making the color notes.
Such a beautiful spot!
ReplyDeleteVery inviting. I want to walk right into the path and knock on the turquoise door.
ReplyDeleteJulie, your color "starts" are a great idea. Do you do them in oil or watercolor?
ReplyDeleteHi Twinkle - the "starts" are oils. I use only transparent colors for them and have the white of the canvas work its magic.
DeleteThis is fantastic, Julie. It's so amazing to me how much color is in NM ! A beautiful
ReplyDeleteState and incredible painting. Love the door!!!
I love all the blues in this and how it all just dances around that gorgeous door. How do you get the color of your door? Is it just blue and white with some yellow? Gorgeous. Your sketch is wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteThe blue is a transparent turquoise color that is applied thinly. The opaque version is La Franc Turquoise.I love it.
Deletethis is such a good way to transition into plein air because it is not threatening! It is clear that your color starts really help capture that open air feeling
ReplyDeleteYou are correct Christine, not threatening at all, and with it being transparent I can paint something else over it if I want to.
DeleteThat is an excellent way to capture the feeling you had on location. And great results also:)
ReplyDeleteI smiled when I saw the title of the posting as I knew I would see that beautiful blue next to the warmth of the adobe. I think the way you do starts would work very well with the landscape I posted yesterday. The looseness of this painting just draws me in as does the dark background. I really like the feeling you captured.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Julie! Takes a lot of pressure off going out to paint if you think... all I need are the color notes and some thumbnail sketches and photo ref. Every plein air painting doesn't have to be finished on the spot. Love that blue.
ReplyDeleteLove the colours and very clever to have a little of the blue in the foreground leading the eye to the door!! Your paintings are so full of life and movement, such a delight to look at!!
ReplyDeleteWow Julie--this painting just pops off the page. It's a fantastic example of how to really take advantage of a color like that turquoise. Love the color note idea as well!
ReplyDeleteHappy easel time, Aimee
color notes...what a good idea. I've done this too---why did I ever stop? It makes perfect sense. You painted a great painting there!
ReplyDeleteLove the color start concept combined with the photo reference for painting back in the studio. You always have so much to share Julie!
ReplyDeleteColor note studies with good reference photos, lots to work with when back in the studio. You always share great ideas so freely, thanks Julie!
ReplyDelete