Friday, February 27, 2015

Color and Light for Nigel, Sketches and Studio Scenes

WIP detail
 This week I have continued on my quest to paint light in the Nigel painting and it is coming along slow, but sure.  I am trying to paint light coming from the lamp on the nightstand as seen above.  There will also be light coming from the hallway fixture as seen below.

WIP detail

My art instructor helped me in class this week and this morning I began reading a chapter about color and light in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima.  I purchased it two years ago even though it was kind of expensive.  It probably appeals more to classically trained painters, but I knew it would be a go-to resource for me over the years, which it has been.


Color and Light chapter in Richard Schmid's book Alla Prima

 In the photo below you can see I shortened the arched doorway after my instructor suggested it, and now the parent figures stand in the boy's room rather than being detached (see previous post).  I am not sure I like it this way because I originally wanted the parents to be outside Nigel's door vs inside.  However, now it makes more sense as far as drawing purposes go.  From the beginning I have struggled with how to arrange this scene so that the parents are equally as important as the sleeping boy, but have it also make sense architecturally.

There is still much to do.   There are more shadows and light and fine details to come.  I am using glazes and cold wax, which means it has required a lot of time to dry in between sessions.


WIP 20 x 16  inch oil on cradled board

So while the painting is drying I have been doing things like straightening up my studio...


Studio
Studio

sketchbook sweeties
graphite

and sketching in my tiny sketchbook.


sketchbook sweetie
graphite and pastel

sketchbook sweetie
graphite and charcoal

I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
Thank you for following.
♥ Lisa

22 comments:

  1. Hi Lisa...
    LOVE this look into your work! LOOKING good, too!

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  2. Bonjour,

    J'aime l'ardeur que vous mettez pour persévérer à obtenir la lumière... Bravo !
    Gros bisous ❤︎

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  3. Your paintings tell such sweet stories...you are truly gifted. And what a wonderful studio to work in! I love all the space and the big windows.

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  4. You seem to be succeeding nicely in adding light to your painting. Such a clean studio!! Bravo. xox

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  5. You have such a marvelous touch with paint and you tell such sweet, wonderful stories. I love this piece and admire your determination to bring 'light' into your paintings, but really - your paintings have all the light they need - just saying.
    Your new studio is fabulous - and way too clean -)
    And your sketchbook sweeties are as sweet as ever!
    xoxo

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  6. Love your studio, Lisa....and this painting is beautiful. I love the patterned wall..!

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  7. Hi Lisa. I really love your procedure and how deep you go into the story. Loved the phrase ' color is to the eyes what flavor is to eating', I will remember that ! The light shining down on Nigel is fabulous ! Wish you a great weekend.

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  8. I think you are succeeding with the light especially with the lamplight on Nigel. It's lovely to see more of your 'sketchbook sweeties'.

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  9. It looks awesome, Lisa. I liked it better with them outside the door in the first piece too. I just assumed that there was a cool interior wall in Nigel's room in the first piece.

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  10. Lisa, the change you have made in this painting is brilliant!! It is working out so well and coming together beautifully..I have to say before the parents position was not quite right and now, because of the change, they are truly in the painting..Much more cohesive...

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  11. I like the changes, they seem to me to be talking about the boy, and the light is great

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  12. lisa, i love this painting even more now. my eye is immediately happy with the shortened arched doorway - although i liked the other version too. but this does feel more harmonious to me. the light coming through the doorway is awesome. love that! and the soft light on nigel... i also think the stance of the man in wonderful.

    xoxo

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  13. that should read "is wonderful".

    shakes head...

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  14. I appreciate the details and lovely sketches Lisa ~ Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend ~

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  15. Oh yes, the light has been turned on in that painting! Amazing difference!

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  16. Looks amazing to me my friend. I do love to see your work and to read how you tackle it.

    Hugs~

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  17. I love how expressively you have worked with the light, Lisa. The painting looks wonderful! :)

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  18. I've been spending more time in my sketchbook too--and my favorite of yours here is the girl in the blue dress! Love the "Nigel" painting too...it is looking great!

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  19. I love seeing the evolution of this painting, and so enjoyed hearing the song that inspired it. The light looks wonderful shining into the room and onto Nigel. I love the look of the cold wax and glazes. Wonderful depth! Your studio is an inspiration... but mine will never look as tidy - just not the way I work I guess!

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  20. The painting is looking amazing! Wow! Very beautiful and so much detail! Your studio is beautiful ;o) Love your sketches! I have to get a sketch book ;o)

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  21. Love this! And...I love your studio! How did you manage to get a studio with a nice sink? Wonderful!

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