Ochres and Umbers
22nd May 2008
The problem with finishing the website, offering painting holidays, giving out dates, and gradually getting towards the end of the building project is that I suddenly realised that I’ve not done much painting for quite a while. I’ve done plenty of other things; sandblasting, digging and worrying mostly, but there’s not been much time to paint.
So, the other day I determined to go out and do just that, in case I’d forgotten how.
When I took trips to Italy some years ago, we would often stop in the art stores to get materials and I was always intrigued by the difference between the palette of colours available here to those I routinely found in England. They reflect the landscape and the towns of Italy with warmer cadmiums for yellows and reds, and loads of ochres and umbers to make up the box set. I suppose it’s obvious really.
Anyway they give you a good head start and allow you to concentrate on what you’re looking at. These three paintings were about the different lights that fall on the walls and windows around here. They are small watercolours and perhaps a little fussy but, as with all representational paintings, they make you look that much harder and appreciate that much more of your everyday surroundings.
Problem now is that I really should get back to the digging…
The stupidest thing I did today;
Made two big mistakes at football tonight - firstly suggesting that we play 'old men' versus 'young men'. Whilst I was happy to concede that I would be one of the 'anziani', my Italian teammates were less forthcoming and rather reluctant to admit their ages. A bit embarassing. And we lost.
The second mistake would take too long to explain but, suffice to say, I nutmegged Jesus. I promise to expand in my next post...
So, the other day I determined to go out and do just that, in case I’d forgotten how.
When I took trips to Italy some years ago, we would often stop in the art stores to get materials and I was always intrigued by the difference between the palette of colours available here to those I routinely found in England. They reflect the landscape and the towns of Italy with warmer cadmiums for yellows and reds, and loads of ochres and umbers to make up the box set. I suppose it’s obvious really.
Anyway they give you a good head start and allow you to concentrate on what you’re looking at. These three paintings were about the different lights that fall on the walls and windows around here. They are small watercolours and perhaps a little fussy but, as with all representational paintings, they make you look that much harder and appreciate that much more of your everyday surroundings.
Problem now is that I really should get back to the digging…
The stupidest thing I did today;
Made two big mistakes at football tonight - firstly suggesting that we play 'old men' versus 'young men'. Whilst I was happy to concede that I would be one of the 'anziani', my Italian teammates were less forthcoming and rather reluctant to admit their ages. A bit embarassing. And we lost.
The second mistake would take too long to explain but, suffice to say, I nutmegged Jesus. I promise to expand in my next post...
Beautifully nuanced shadows revealing and obscuring the structure of the façade.
The middle panel is excellent, allowing the viewer to supply some of the implied surfaces.
Posted by: Tegz | June 02, 2008 at 01:19 PM
the paintings are absolutely lovely. wow. and what is this about nutmegging Jesus? I'm trying with all my might to understand what that might mean :) ...
Posted by: Jackie | May 27, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Lovely paintings of the windows and
shutters, I can almost feel the suns rays warming the walls.
DO you do paintings of door ways, I love the doors in Italy some elaborate some old and weathered and barely hanging on by a thread, some with carvings, my favorites are doors within doors. Not to mention the door knobs.
Posted by: Antonina | May 27, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Wow, you are good. I might just take an art class from you.
Posted by: annechung | May 26, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I hope this means you are going to be posting more watercolours! Beautiful, I love your use of darks, I think it's impossible to catch the light here without them.
Posted by: Robyn | May 26, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I seriously thought those were photographs until you said they were watercolors.... my jaw dropped. Amazing. How wonderful to have a talent like yours!
Nutmegged Jesus.... Can't imagine that it's been done before.
Posted by: Amy B | May 25, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Beautiful work, love the shading. I agree with them all, you haven't lost your touch.
Linda
Posted by: Ice Tea For Me | May 23, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Yes Bleeding Espresso is right..doesn;t look like you have lost your touch..I love the last one..:-)
Posted by: anne | May 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Those were worth waiting for! I love the one on the left especially, but actually they look good as a triptych. Thanks for keeping your promise. (Fascinating observation on the colours.)
Posted by: Sally | May 23, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Now *that's* what I call a teaser....
Doesn't seem you've lost even a stroke on the painting...love those colors :)
Posted by: bleeding espresso | May 23, 2008 at 08:03 AM