(Be sure to read the intro here)
DAY 2
More color theory! Today we talked about dealing with noon (midday) light and even moonlight. Elin filled us in on how to color our shadows and key the highlights so that you can feel the light at noon.
8x10 oil on board
It was another long day of painting and great info but wait! We were all back after dinner for some movies. Too much fun!
When I first acquired the “Painting Disease” one of the first artist web sites I found that really captured my attention contained the work Elin Pendleton. Elin is a nationally known artist who lives in Southern California. That first visit to her web site left me thinking, “If I could paint like this – I’d be one happy old (OK, middle aged) man” I’ve followed her work ever since.
I knew right away that I wanted to attend one of Elin’s workshops but alas, they were always full or scattered around the country. When she scheduled a local class, I was all over it! So, here I am at the first day of her “Color Bootcamp”.
Much of Elin’s teaching revolves around a very practical and effective color system that she has developed. Once it makes sense – it really makes sense. It’s a lot to digest in a short amount of time. That’s why she calls it “Bootcamp”.
DAY 1
After some basic principles and setup info, Elin started right in explaining how her color theory works. I won’t go into details here but anyone interested can find out more here.
Elin started by discussing the handling of early morning light, did a wonderful demo and then launched us right into our own painting.
Elin is not only a great teacher but also a gracious host. After being offered a nice lunch, we resumed the discussions. I’m learning a ton. More tomorrow!
A while back I came across a number of paintings done mostly or entirely with palette knives. I really like the look of this so I decided to give it a try.
8x10 oil on linen
This is a view of the tip of the point next to Wind and Sea beach in La Jolla, California. If you could see off to the right you would find some of the many homes built along these cliffs. I decided to ignore that area because I had a feeling that I’d have my hands full with these knives.
I was out last Sunday on a photo walk at Balboa park here in San Diego. The Park was crowded (always is on the weekends) so I was looking for some quiet, out-of-the-way spots to set up my tripod. This was one of those places.
9x12 oil on canvas
The day was getting on and the sun was going low when I took the original photo. I was attracted to the warm light and the shadows.
After sorting through the shots for the day I pulled this one aside because I thought It would be fun to try it as a painting. Many of my more interesting moments arise from such innocent ideas!
Although this is the way I found this scene, I keep feeling that it really needs a window or a hanging plant or something in the large, open space in the center wall. I’ll have to mull this over and maybe try putting something in there.
As a photographer, I have a seemingly endless source of images from the places I love. So by that definition, I have gobs of photos from the Sierras in California.
8x10 oil on linen
This is from a photo that I took on a day hike up to Barrett lake which is hidden above the town of Mammoth Lakes. I’ve caught many small cutthroat trout from this shoreline.
