Thursday, April 23, 2009

Repetition

Live Oak Study, 6 x 8
sold

Tell me I'm not the only one who paints the same subject day after day.....did I mention I was struggling with greens?  I feel much better about this live oak (same one I've painted for days) than any I've done in ages--just because I think I was more successful at balancing the contrasting green values (not including the ground).  I won't speak for the rest--did this in 30 minutes this morning at 6 a.m., but I'm on the right track, I think.  

-julie davis

12 comments:

Karen Rike said...

"Greens" YOU have problems with greens? DOES anyone else have problems with greens?

WE HATE GREEN! It makes us crazy!

You are doing a GREAT job.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

There certainly is great contrast in this live oak--and a very successful painting.

Peter Lee said...

I can't believe you painted this in 30 minutes - at 6 in the morning?
You are amazing, Julie!
True inspiration!
I like this one a lot too. The tree is just gorgeous and well composed.
And love the hill! Bravo!!!

Pam Holnback said...

I think you're on the right track, too. And, I often paint the same subject again and again.

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of us have a problem with greens. I keep re-reading Jeanne Dobie's words on mixing greens in her book, "Making Colors Sing." It's really worth a read. She doesn't like using blue and yellow to make green. She gives a number of formulas in the book for mixing light, medium and dark greens using veridian and windsor green with different reds and yellows. It would apply across any medium I think, even though it's about watercolor mixing.

Camille said...

I am of the same mind as "watercolorist" in that when I'm painting outside, it is usually more successful to use pre-mixed greens, then gray them with their compliment. Because I usually work in acrylics, speed is of the essence!

Laurel Daniel said...

It's such good practice to paint and paint again. Good for you for keeping at it!! It looks great!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Julie,

This is lovely. Just perfect. I'm very interested in this discussion because I do not know what you do.
Super.

Take care,

Barbara

julie davis said...

Thank you, Barbara. I'll take "just perfect!" I'm assuming you're wondering about the colors I mix to get the greens so I'll answer that.
like many, I use a palette that I use has a "warm" and a "cool" of each primary, and white. To get the greens I use cad yellow light or cad yellow, with thalo or french ultramarine. I'm honestly still experimenting. If anything, this struggle lately has shaken it up (tried cobalt and cad yellow pale, also cad orange), but I'm back to where I used to be. If that's not what you're asking, let me know and I'll try to answer again.

I'll have to experiment with the veridian and windsor greens Jean mentioned above.

Patricia Siegel said...

Wow Julie! Great job on that tree. It's true what they say...practice makes perfect! There is also a lot of depth in this painting. Well done.

Connie said...

I think the "Spring Green" in Texas is the hardest to get because it is so brilliant!
A couple of years ago, I attended my first workshop and the instructor was adament that I use red in my greens. She was right, of course, but it was a challenging lesson to me because I just saw those greens as soooo bright and GREEN!
Good work. I like how you're capturing the light.

Camille LaRue Olsen said...

I happen to think these greens are absolutely stunning and I wouldn't want them toned down at all. To each her own greens but this one knocks my socks off!