Where do ideas start? - part 03

The last example

in my series

studying wave action 

on a favourite beach.

Where do ideas start? part 02

The idea for this beach scene 

began with the torn paper collage experiment

 in my previous post.

Where do ideas start? part 01

I have often used this approach 

to encourage me to think more freely 

about a subject.

When painting flowers.e.g. iris, roses..

 the torn edges echo the petal shapes 

so you could begin by playing with colour variations 

of blues/purples or rosy shades.

Soft variations of gray might  work for snow  scenes.

Variations on a Theme - symmetrical / asymmetrical balance

This first example, 

a pastel from 2013 

was an experiment 

in symmetrical balance.

The picture frame is divided diagonally between rocky foreground and waves.

The circular formation of the rocks is echoed by the splashes.

Colour and textural contrasts complete the design.

 

This second piece is watercolour 

and a looser, more abstract approach 

allowed for a more asymmetrical design.

Smaller areas of concentrated colour

are balanced against 

large areas of foamy, pale whites.

The whole is tied together 

by the diagonal band of darks, shadowy rocks 

merging into deep blue water. 

Both pieces were based on a series of my photos.

Digital cameras allow for a great deal of leeway 

when it comes to composing pictures.

Even a mid-range camera

 provides the opportunity

 for cropping and zooming 

in on interesting details.

 

First week of Spring! HAH!!!

It might be the first week of spring

 here in southern Ontario 

but you wouldn't know it 

by all the snow on the ground 

and sub freezing temperatures!

I took this photo on our morning walk at Lemoine Point, Kingston

Meanwhile the spring bulbs are going to have to put up a fight to survive.

Willows in Summer

You can see that I introduced 

warm red browns and purple blues 

to complement as well as create variety

to the yellows and greens 

of sunlight and foliage. 

( my photo taken at Presquile Provincial Park.)

The compositional possibilites of a tree...or two..

When I started a few Pinterest boards 

to assist in teaching and studying

various aspects of painting and design,

I was surprised by popularity of trees 

as subject mattter.

https://www.pinterest.com/lesliesnider1/trees/

Of course, 

there are many equally fascinating subjects

but on a basic level

  the simplicity of the vertical (tree)

against the horizontal (horizon, terra ferma)

offers infinite possibilities.

‘Evening Snow at Edo River’

 1932 woodblock print 

by Hasui Kawase

We can even start at a  more basic level

by looking at a series of vertical lines on a flat surface.

Here the simple contrast of long/short, heavy /fine 

along an imaginary horizon line 

creates a sense of space.

Working within a picture frame illustrates

the relationship between line and space

or positive and negative 

and the importance of background space.

This is a simple exercise 

and a great way to loosen up. 

Finally as an example:

 my watercolour of a spring meadow.

It is the relationship of trees to the background 

that interested me in interpreting this subject.

Black and white illustrations 
from a long out of print book, 
"Form, Space and Vision" by Graham Collier

Pansies in watercolor.....surely spring is on it's way????

Another piece from the past....

masses of blooms looking towards the light.....

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine -

 and shadows will fall behind you."
Walt Whitman