Sunday, November 01, 2009

"Colors From the Sideboard" 11"x14"

I have several paintings halfway completed and I'm trying not to start anything new. But looking at so much wonderful art creates more ideas which I throw quickly down on canvas in hopes to complete later. Now I'm trying to slow down and smell the roses and enjoy the journey of discovery with paint. For the first time ever, I'm investigating higher keyed still life arrangements. I'm defining high-key as a narrow range of values in the higher end of the value scale.

After starting this still life I realized it really didn't fully stay with my objective which is why I set up another and another to push to high-key paintings. I'll hopefully soon finish those and post them as well. The value variation in my background is very minimal and subtle. This is also new to me but I thought worked well to pop the foreground objects.

A very challenging element was textures. I had to scrape away the porcelain many times because I wanted a distinctly different feel of smooth compared to the other objects as well as I wanted the highlights on the porcelain to cause the most attention. This is an issue I'll have to address again and hope for better success in another painting. I've taken this piece as far as I'm able.

3 comments:

Karen said...

It's perfect, really. Edges, composition, the highlight as contrasted with the other white areas, the pop of the objects against the quiet background, and, I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff too. I look forward to the higher key works. Have you ever thought of trying an all white set-up? :)

susan hong-sammons said...

you're reading my mind. I've been suffering through an all white set-up today. But actually it's the kind of "suffering" we thrive on as artists. Thanks so much for stopping by. These next few still lifes feel so daring for me and throw me a bit off kilter.

jsicignano2.blogspot.com said...

It's beautiful. I love the colors and the harmony and variety as well. I am also looking forward to your next painting. Thank you for sharing.