I have discovered a new word, I thought I’d pass it along to you.
Its filled.
And rich, with layers of meanings.
I love it!
It fits perfectly in describing a few select pieces of my art.
I thought you too, might like to know about this word I’ll share it with you.
Along with a mini collection of my favourite art works I’ve created.
“Hibiki” Japanese meaning ……… Echo, Resonance.
Mountain in Blues
Sea Inspired
This is a collection of my own paintings created either on location, an echo of a memory, or from a compilation of my own photos that I have taken myself on site.
Just to let you know, none of them are particularly recent.
But older.
For me, I feel they have, by virtue of their age, stood the test of time.
They still give me Joy.
Expressionist in Pink and Scarlet
Each one, still resonates deep within.
Reminding me of how I want to paint.
How I wish to create.
Reminding me that if I did it once, (that is if I created a painting I genuinely can feel the magic echo within me years later,) then yes, I can repeat that again.
And again. And again.
Success can be echoed.
Simplicity Wc Light Red
Though, indeed, it might take time.
Persistence. And countless more paint tubes.
But in the end, it is worth it.
Resonance
All that time, energy, effort is worth it – to have even a small collection that is Timeless.
In the obsidian indigo depths and the cerulean shallows.
I find the colors pleasing. Soothing. Melodic.
A beautiful summer’s melody you can only hear if you stop and really listen for it.
Cerulean Shallows & Obsidian Depths
Abstract Oil Painting on Wood
Where is the gold?
Hidden underneath.
Unseen.
We have to dig.
Search it out.
Or we will pass it by.
Findings from the storm
The storm rages.
Torrents of water flood downstream.
Carting along the dirt, the sand, minerals, and gold in its wake.
The dark currents of indigo, churn the minerals and sediments as they slough off the hillsides and course down the river bed.
The dense nuggets and flakes of gold bounce along, buffeted, finally settling.
Into little protected pockets, small little envelopes.
Perfect for resting in, perfect for hiding in.
So its right after a really big storm….
that is the best time to go on your gold quest.
Give the water time to settle and clear.
Then head for the hills.
There’s new gold, in the river.
In the obsidian depths and past the cerulean shallows.
Oil on Wood
I had a lot of fun playing with oil paints, this time using an old wood board.
It was quite beaten and rough.
The textures of the grain show through.
Diversifying my painting supports is a great way to both challenge myself and to obtain something unique. Something worth repeating.
Its a risk! I win some, I lose some.
But, I never know unless I give it a go.
This worked out nicely with river like textures showing through.
How the paint was applied.
The old wood board was primed and gessoed, then allowed to dry.
Time to paint….
White, Winsor Lemon, Indigo, Cerulean oil paints were used and blended together.
I used an old stiff paint brush and cotton rag to apply the paint.
With a dominantly horizontal directional movement, slightly angled.
Tonal Values:
By limiting the colors and ensuring clear tonal values within, the image even as an abstract – holds the eye.
While the my previous art painting Watercolors Inspired by Peace – was a great example of what High Key is, this painting is a good representation of Low Key.
High Key: a higher ratio of White, Light and Mid tones rather than Darks.
Low Key: a higher ratio of Mid and Dark tones rather than Light/white tones.
It is the spirit of peace that calls out to be heard and shared.
Joy
It is simply sharing a moment of goodness, of something ‘lovely and precious.’
Hope
It is the Light that keeps us going, dark the night may be.
Traditions
This is the 3rd year I’ve posted this oil painting during the Christmas Season.
I love the colors, the feeling, the Message!
Its great to start fun new traditions. Sharing this lovely blue oil painting each holiday seems like a wonderful one to continue.
A Way With Oils
Painting with oils on a lovely rich and sturdy canvas is a delight.
2. The good canvas has a certain Responsiveness, a give, a ‘spring’ to it that those cheaper panels… don’t even come close to.
3. The Canvas grips and holds, your brushstroke.
4. Freezing in time, the feeling, the expression the artist was experiencing.
5. When I’ve used the panels they feel harsh, hard. There is no give, no spring. No responsiveness. They feel slick, slippery. Resistant. As if they’re made one way and will adamantly resist this freedom of expression. This, is of course, my own personal experience and thoughts.
6. I love the way good canvas feels, it is such a Joy!
7. It seems to respond and dialogue with the artist with each brush stroke. Expressing the mood and essence of the artist and subject – with greater ease.
8. The Materials we choose, should ‘help’ the artist. Not create battles and hindrances.
9. This particular canvas featured, I primed and stretched myself.
I don’t do that as a rule though! I normally am time poor, so will buy the professional grade wrap around edge canvas. (Knowing it Can be painted over, In OILS, which makes the budget minded me, quite happy!)
10. My monochromatic and limited palette of colors used for this painting: cobalt blue, indigo, white, cobalt teal blue
Brands of Oil Paints I like
Langridge
Old Holland
Winsor and Newton
Schminke
Gamblin
Winsor and Newton Alkyds
The one I’d love to try, is Vasari. With its smooth, buttery softness. Sadly, its not available in Australia yet.
Sophie Ploeg’s post on oil paint brands makes a great read. Its very informative, listing several brands and their attributes.
I hope you have enjoyed The Season of Love with these snippets of oil painting information.
The Muse watched on. An Impressionist eye and hand guided the creation of this dreamy, soft forest oil painting.
Capturing Forest Greens
The Forest Greens
The forest in its lovely greens, I do believe, was captured. The spirit of the place, the feeling, was conveyed.
The soft mossy greens, deep teal blues, the jade and emeralds … yes. I believe my greens tell us we’re at the forest edge on a most wonderful day.
The canvas was prepared and made rough. With lots of texture. The terrain getting there, to the Forest… was indeed rough and bumpy. Rocks and boulders, fallen trees across the path. It was messy.
One of my many zen strolls led me to this forest edge.
Where the creamy blush of sand, buffers the jade forest foliage against the deep and dark. Emerald waters.
Zen Strolls
Such Magic they have.
They can be super short, or long. They can be many, many years long gone.
But all those memories are still stored inside.
And wait.
For the Moment – and the artist to meet again.
Magic.
this Part #3 now concludes Capturing Color, I hope you enjoyed this short series!
