I made one key change to the Saturday still-life. Trading the pail for the purple jars simplified things for the Tuesday artists, who have three hours to work and not a whole day. That pail, however, proved to be a pretty good challenge. In the morning, I did a pencil and watercolour sketch and used it to discuss various concepts such as editing, artistic licence and relative value.
I badgered everyone all morning long to darken the outside wall of the pail. This would really pop out the various objects in front of it. I decided to start the evening class with a demonstration of the pesky pail.
We’ve been stressing colour lately as well as creating backgrounds that enhance the entire image. Many of the artists roll their eyes when I ask what they’ve planned for their background. Many do it last, after everything else is finished.
I don’t even like using the word ‘background’ as it seems to diminish the importance of this element of the painting. The background takes up as much as one third of the total area of many of the paintings seen below. It should have a dynamic relationship with everything else in the image. Consider this when you look at Tuesday’s work. Which ones have successful backgrounds and why?
Tuesday AM Critique
Tuesday PM Critique
Tags: Barry Coombs, Canada, Ontario, still-life painting, Studio Classes, Toronto, watercolor, watercolor courses, watercolor demonstration, watercolor lesson, watercolor painting, watercolour, watercolour courses, watercolour demonstration, watercolour lesson, watercolour painting
14/04/2011 at 6:10 pm |
I’ve never seen so many gorgeous pails in one place. Bravo!
26/04/2011 at 4:56 pm |
Very interesting about the backgrounds Barry. I too leave them until last, but you’re right. I’m inspired again.