This is a small landscape I did this morning while the rain outside gently eased my weary head. I started splashing around with washes and without preliminary sketching just started adding to it. I have no idea where this is, but could be anywhere… That’s what I love about being creative you can paint ‘anywhere’ and till feel wonderful that a place like this could exist, some place, some time!
A watercolour with W/N paints on A4 300gsm Prime Art pad.
First of all, let me say this, I never created landscapes myself. So, I’m very interested in learning how it’s done. Therefore, I look with a highly observant eye; aiming to take it all apart piece by piece; just like re-assembling a sort of jig saw puzzle. I was also happy to hear that this is not a ‘real’ scene; but, instead, something being invented entirely inside of your own imagination. Which, to me, means anybody can stay in and invent their own landscape; you don’t need to go outside and copy seeing a landscape for real; though, I’m sure, it must help to, at least, have something visible before you to go base things on! However, with experience it’s probably easier to be able to invent your own. I note that what seems to be adding great ‘depth’ to the peice is a series of ‘overlapping’ washes/which are also very carefully coloured in through using ‘different’ tones. Too, I note that the light in front appears to be far brighter than is the light at the back; which, I suppose, is normally what we see when we view atmosphere; namely, that close objects are most clear/whereas, distant objects tend to be a lot more dark and blurry. I like the composition of the grass/and, the two trees…which both seem to balance out one another…on either side/one tall, and, the other one small. I note that there are no individual leaves being seen on either tree; but, instead, there are small patches of differently toned color which serves to indicate and give the illusion of leaves; and, the way the tree roots/branches are done very simply; by not getting too over detailed or fiddly. Then, there is the careful use of the ‘persepective’ trick…where the foremost tree is tall; whilst the background trees are much more short; and, also, a lot more densely packed together; not so individual at all; in fact, the background trees seem to be very faintly suggested. Then, finally, there is the glorious painting of the sky; just tones ranging between dark blue/and, bright white/as well as, many intermediate shades to produce a kind of really faint shade of blue/white almost gray. I think, that complete beginners like me would have gone and painted that sky just one flat all blue tone. However, you who are far more experienced do have very carefully deliniated cloud shapes/patterns. Well, so much for the ‘easy’ business of attempting to go and analyse…the really hard part is…can I go and produce the same thing myself/and, also, of the like quality; no, I think, not! But, still the only way to go learn is to try… Thanks very much for this lesson of today; which, I’m sure, will long haunt me. ;-)
Wow Paul… what a reply! Seems like I have just had a critique of my work from the jury! lol.
I thank you for your interesting observations of this painting, lots of which I must admit, are spot on. Firstly, I wish I had the capacity to explain what I did in this painting, but your clear observation and interest is fascinating to me as I see so much I’m not happy with. Somehow it all seemed to come together so nicely. I’m not the happiest painter of landscapes but was in the ‘mood’ and this was really a play with washes, as you so cleverly spotted. I sid put it away for a day out of sight and brought it out a day later to ‘fiddle’ and adjust… something one should be weary of as you are bound to overwork or loose the crispness. All I can say is that you practice with very basic washes on copious amounts of paper adding subjects which are naturally found in scenes eg. trees, rocks, grasses, rivers, mountains. Secret….. practice, practice, practice!
Paul, I am honoured that you called this a ‘lesson’ and replied to this painting with such enthusiasm and interest. I’m sure there are many landscape artists here on RB who would be able to enlighten you in more depth about the perspective, tone, depth, and colour of landscapes. I have also watched many tutorials on YouTube on landscape painting which has helped me create scenes like this!
Go out and just enjoy your painting… after all, it’s only paper and we only learn by trial and error and practice – and don’t be afraid to face that piece of paper! Sweet dreams!
Comments
Beautiful work Debbie!
Thank you Istvan :)
– Debbie Schiff
wonderful work!
Many thanks:)
– Debbie Schiff
Beautiful work!
Thank yo Lora :)
– Debbie Schiff
It’s gorgeous Debbie, love the way it turned out! Also love that feeling when it starts taking shape!
Ah……!…. from the queen of landscapes… thanks Maree. Many thanks also for the favour!! I’m thrilled it tickled you!
– Debbie Schiff
lovely imagination…wonderful flow of colors…
Sally, it’s such a reward to see when it just comes together! although I can see a lot wrong with it! Thank you!
– Debbie Schiff
First of all, let me say this, I never created landscapes myself. So, I’m very interested in learning how it’s done. Therefore, I look with a highly observant eye; aiming to take it all apart piece by piece; just like re-assembling a sort of jig saw puzzle. I was also happy to hear that this is not a ‘real’ scene; but, instead, something being invented entirely inside of your own imagination. Which, to me, means anybody can stay in and invent their own landscape; you don’t need to go outside and copy seeing a landscape for real; though, I’m sure, it must help to, at least, have something visible before you to go base things on! However, with experience it’s probably easier to be able to invent your own. I note that what seems to be adding great ‘depth’ to the peice is a series of ‘overlapping’ washes/which are also very carefully coloured in through using ‘different’ tones. Too, I note that the light in front appears to be far brighter than is the light at the back; which, I suppose, is normally what we see when we view atmosphere; namely, that close objects are most clear/whereas, distant objects tend to be a lot more dark and blurry. I like the composition of the grass/and, the two trees…which both seem to balance out one another…on either side/one tall, and, the other one small. I note that there are no individual leaves being seen on either tree; but, instead, there are small patches of differently toned color which serves to indicate and give the illusion of leaves; and, the way the tree roots/branches are done very simply; by not getting too over detailed or fiddly. Then, there is the careful use of the ‘persepective’ trick…where the foremost tree is tall; whilst the background trees are much more short; and, also, a lot more densely packed together; not so individual at all; in fact, the background trees seem to be very faintly suggested. Then, finally, there is the glorious painting of the sky; just tones ranging between dark blue/and, bright white/as well as, many intermediate shades to produce a kind of really faint shade of blue/white almost gray. I think, that complete beginners like me would have gone and painted that sky just one flat all blue tone. However, you who are far more experienced do have very carefully deliniated cloud shapes/patterns. Well, so much for the ‘easy’ business of attempting to go and analyse…the really hard part is…can I go and produce the same thing myself/and, also, of the like quality; no, I think, not! But, still the only way to go learn is to try… Thanks very much for this lesson of today; which, I’m sure, will long haunt me. ;-)
Wow Paul… what a reply! Seems like I have just had a critique of my work from the jury! lol.
I thank you for your interesting observations of this painting, lots of which I must admit, are spot on. Firstly, I wish I had the capacity to explain what I did in this painting, but your clear observation and interest is fascinating to me as I see so much I’m not happy with. Somehow it all seemed to come together so nicely. I’m not the happiest painter of landscapes but was in the ‘mood’ and this was really a play with washes, as you so cleverly spotted. I sid put it away for a day out of sight and brought it out a day later to ‘fiddle’ and adjust… something one should be weary of as you are bound to overwork or loose the crispness. All I can say is that you practice with very basic washes on copious amounts of paper adding subjects which are naturally found in scenes eg. trees, rocks, grasses, rivers, mountains. Secret….. practice, practice, practice!
Paul, I am honoured that you called this a ‘lesson’ and replied to this painting with such enthusiasm and interest. I’m sure there are many landscape artists here on RB who would be able to enlighten you in more depth about the perspective, tone, depth, and colour of landscapes. I have also watched many tutorials on YouTube on landscape painting which has helped me create scenes like this!
Go out and just enjoy your painting… after all, it’s only paper and we only learn by trial and error and practice – and don’t be afraid to face that piece of paper! Sweet dreams!
– Debbie Schiff
Beautiful !!
Thank you so much!
– Debbie Schiff
Fantastic use of wet-in-wet techniques!
Apologies for the lateness of this reply… but thank you Ken.
– Debbie Schiff
Annette, I’m honoured…. thank you!!!
– Debbie Schiff
Nice work!
Thank you bluerabbit!
– Debbie Schiff