Tuesday 27 March 2012

March Challenge

The March Challenge, between myself and Mick Carney www.thepaintingstruggle.blogspot.com/  was my choice. I realised recently I had neglected my landscape painting, leading to a deterioration, and with the plein air season looming chose a typical scene at my local Keynsham park. 



 River Chew Keynsham Park

This isn't an easy subject just look at all the clutter. The object always is to simplify, but the urge to copy what is in front of you, especialy from photographs, is hard to resist. I'm getting better but suffer relapses! 


First Attempt Keynsham Park 16" x 12" 140lb (300gm) Centenaire Not

This was overworked, particularly the reflections, although I thinks it looks better on here than the actual painting, which is unusual as it's usually the other way round. I rejected it and tried again.

Final Attempt Keynsham Park 16" x 12" 140lb (300gm) Centenaire Not

This is simplified compared to the first one. I have attempted to alternate warm and cool throughout with mixed success.

Colours used include Cerulean Blue, Quinacridone Rust (Graham PO48), Hookers Green (Graham), Sap Green (Daniel Smith), Quinacridone Gold (Daniel Smith PO49), Gold Ochre (W & N PY43), Raw Sienna, Raw Umber  plus darks from Q Rust/Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. I'm not absolutely sure what else. I must start making a note of the colours as I paint. 

Brushes the usual with the Isabey 6228 Size 8 Kolinsky to the fore.

4 comments:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Not an easy subject Peter, the problem is always where to start and what to keep in and what to leave out. I sometimes just do a 30 second (yes only 30 seconds) pencil sketch. That way your mind ignores the irrelevant and puts in the important bits. You have, going on both versions, done a great job of this scene.

Peter Ward said...

Thanks Ann. I'm very attracted to the tree/landscape paintings of the Belgian artist Gerda Mertens. I think the painting I did on the recent AVA `reflections' subject is getting closer to where I want to be but some work needed yet.

Unknown said...

This was the most difficult subject we've tried recently and i wished I'd spent more time thinking about before my attempt.

I like the way you have introduced a variety of colour that attracts the eye and creates interest for the viewer.

Peter Ward said...

Thanks Mick.I got the idea for the colour from Gerda Mertens approach. I like the way she strips everything down to the bare essentials, although I realise this won't appeal to everyone. Still working on my landscapes.