Last week I painted for a glorious 5 days at Samish Island Camp with a group of artists. I was free to sketch and paint the entire time (though careful not to miss any of the great fresh meals cooked and served by the staff). One evening about 7PM after dinner when the light was fading, I wandered toward the shore. The sky was glazed with pink and lavender, and the bay waters reflected these colors. In direct contrast, the land forms claimed dark green and ochre tones. Values followed the colors: light sky, very dark land forms, and mid-tone water.
The red-purple and yellow-green hues shouted “opposites on the color wheel” and demanded a photo. The next morning I tried to capture the scene in watercolor by alternating dilute alizarin crimson and a little lavender gouache. Thick brushstrokes of perylene green and raw sienna created near-black land forms.
Sometimes just a short walk pays off with big inspiration.
KC
Thank you for inspirational paintings and tech info (while waiting for right arm surgical
procedure to heal-ugh). Keeps me ever hopeful. Why did you feel need to introduce
gouche?
I happened to have a lavender gouache on hand and thought that a little bit of opaqueness in the sky would add interest:)
Really enjoyed seeing how you captured the colors and values of this scene.I t helps me how to see how the colors work together and how to paint a scene showing the values and where to put them.
Congratulations to you on your marvelous accomplishments.
Camille
I really like that painting from the Samish island, Kathy. Looked like painted “on the spot”!Do you use Aliz. Crim. or PERMANENT Aliz.Crimson?
Also, I remember Perylene Green form your Montana workshop, do you like it better than Hooker Green?
Thank you for your Blogs, I love them!
I used the “permanent” alizarin crimson, but have not really noticed much difference for my purposes. Perylene green has an organic look to it, like real evergreen trees. While Hooker’s Green is a beautiful color, I don’t use it too often for landscapes because it has a more metallic or man-made feel.
thanks for sharing your lovely painting. its beautiful kathy. i will have to try some of the colors you chose. i always look forward to your blog.
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